Can I ask about a Wii?

[ShadowBall]

I recently received a Wii as a gift, and I was under the impression that all Wii consoles were backwards compatible with GameCube games and accessories. Up until last night when I was trying to play a GameCube game on the damn thing and it spit the game out and has no controller port on the side.

Doing a little looking, I found that the Wii Family Edition is not backwards compatible, but that's not the one I have. I've just got a regular Wii. It recognizes GameCube memory cards as a possible source of data storage, but I'll be damned if I can find the slots for it since there's no side panel that opens like on the original ones.

The manual says right in it that the console does not like anything GameCube, but then why does it take GC memory cards? That's an accessory, is it not? I am so confused and I can't find anything about non-family edition Wiis hating GameCube goodies.

Does anyone know anything about this?

[SongsOfDragons]

My Wii takes GameCube games without complaint, and if you stand it up on its stand so the power button is on the top left corner, there is a panel on the top that opens to accept the memory cards and four controllers. Look for a *goes to have a look at her console* kind of small indented rectangle that you can dig a nail in gently to lift the panel up on a hinge.

I'm not sure what kind of Wii I have; this is the first I've heard of a family edition type.

[Chanlin]

It's a subtle difference but a quick way to tell whether its the family edition or not is to look at the printed word Wii and the icons on the power and eject buttons.

The original Wii is meant to stand vertically. As such when you stand it up vertically the word Wii and the Icons on the two buttons that have them are correctly aligned and able to be read. If its the family edition then when its stood up vertically those words will be sideways. The same will be true for the labels of the buttons eg: Power, Reset, Eject.

Here's a pic for comparison. The wii on the left is the family edition. Note on the original the word Wii is underneath the disc slot when its vertical where on the family edition its under the disc slot when it is horizontal. Also the family edition does not come with a stand to set it in like the original does.

[fma_fanatic]

As far as I know, the Wii should still be backwards compatible, except for the Family Edition.

If you're still having problems, I would definitely recommend calling Nintendo's customer service. They have some of the best customer service reps I've ever spoken to.

[ShadowBall]

Eh crap, from Chanlin's attachments, I can see I do actually have the family edition. I guess I thought mine was normal because it didn't have a derpy-looking family on the box. Dammit. I don't know why these ones aren't GameCube compatible - that was one of the cool things about it.

Oh well. Neither I nor my BF knew about these family Wii packages. Thanks for all your help, everyone.

[emax4]

I have two solutions that may interest you:

1. I'm near Pgh PA, and at some of the thrift stores and the Half Price Book stores, I've seen GameCube systems for around $10 or so. I know it's not the solution you're looking for, but they're so cheap nowadays that it shouldn't be too hard to find them. So, you'll have actual hardware (yet the extra hardware might clutter up your entertainment center), and still get to play your old games. I love playing old games too.

2. Have you ever heard of hardware emulation? It allows the user to use devices from yesteryear on your computer. I could download an Atari emulator like "Stella" and play all my old Atari 2600 games, or download MAME and play the arcade games. They have one that''s been out for a few years called "Dolphin" that allows you to play Wii and GameCube games on your computer. Google "dolphin emulator" and you'll find a bunch of links. PM me if you need more info or help.

[ShadowBall]

Oh it's not that I don't have a GameCube - I do. I'm playing Pokemon Colosseum on it now. I just really liked the convenience of backwards compatibility in the Wii and I was hoping I could sell my GC since hey, why bother having two of the same system? But since I've found my Wii doesn't like GameCube stuff, I'm gonna keep my GameCube.

And yes, I know about emulators and ROMs - I have a Sega Genesis and an N64 one.