The original Nintendo Wii was not a big console, per se, but you could never hope to fit one in your pocket. Or…could you? As it turns out, console modders [Wesk] and [Yveltal] reckon they have found a way to make a functional Wii at the keychain scale!
The concept is called the Kawaii, and as you might expect, some sacrifices are necessary to get it down to pocketable size of 60 x 60 x 16 mm. It’s all based around the “Omega Trim,” an established technique in the modding community to cut a standard Wii motherboard down to size. Controllers are hooked up via a dock connection that also provides video out. There’s no Bluetooth, so Wiimote use is out of the question. You can still play some Wii games with GameCube Controllers by using GC2Wiimote, though. The Wii hardware is under-volted to allow for passive cooling, too, with an aluminum enclosure used to shed heat. Custom PCBs are used to handle power and breakouts, which will be open sourced in due time.
The forum post featured an expression of interest for those eager to order aluminium enclosures to pursue their own Kawaii build. Slots quickly filled up and the EOI was soon closed.
As of now, the Kawaii is still mostly conceptual, with images being very compelling renders. However, it relies on established Wii modding techniques, so there shouldn’t be any shocking surprises in the next stage of development. Expect to see finished Kawaii builds in gorgeous machined aluminum housings before long.
We’ve seen some other great Wii portables over the years. The console remains cheap on the used market and was built in great numbers. Thus, it remains the perfect platform for those eager to get their feet wet in the console modding community!
Here's an idea on scale: pic.twitter.com/IqA9dDOsaM
— Wesk Mods (@WeskMods) July 21, 2024
You could make it fit in a smartphone if you just made a custom motherboard
And add a video digitizer for LCD
Or just run a 64bit emulator on octacore with 4GB and a better gpu
Shows it next to a Dreamcast to dab on Sega even now hahahaha
Meh. There is a point in removing components that something ceases to be a system and becomes a component itself. This has run screaming across that line.
The wii is first and foremost a controller, not a console, so I think it will be much improved when they manage to cram in bluetooth.. but it’s very impressive!
And the IR leds for the controller sensor?
Well now, clearly the next step is to shove the Wii into a Wii controller, have it run on AA batteries, and have it send video to a screen wirelessly via miracast!
For those who don’t watch anime, “kawaii” means “cute” in Japanese.
And “keikaku” means “plan”.
(Please, somebody tell me they gry this^^)
And kookookachoo to you too!
B^)
可愛い means cute, “kawaii” means “I am cringe”.