Wii:Buying Guide
The Wii was a very successful console for Nintendo, and following their usual pattern, it had a few redesigns and models over the years. All Wii models follow the model name convention of RVL-X01. RVL stand for Revolution, which was the internal name for the Wii during development, while the X is a number in order of release, either 0, 1, or 2.
Launch Model - RVL-001
This model was the first to launch. It was designed to stand up on the included stand, with all the buttons being labelled to be read when the console was vertical. On the top side, there were flaps that covered four GameCube controller ports, as well as two GameCube memory card slots. This model was capable of playing GameCube games natively using all compatible accessories that could fit into the included slots.
Each console has two USB ports in the back, as well as a 12V AC in, sensor bar input port, and an AV out port. On the front side, there are three buttons visible: the power button, reset button, and disc eject button. There is also a flap on the front side of the console. Opening this reveals a a controller sync button and an SD card slot, with support for up to 32 GB on later versions of the system software. This side also has the disc drive, which uses a slot-loading mechanism.
Three colors were made of this model: white, black, and red. The white model was the only one available at launch, with the black and red models releasing later.
Family Edition - RVL-101
The second model to launch, around 2011. This model was designed to be placed horizontally, with the button labels reflecting this change. It has almost all of the same input and output ports, including USB and SD. However, the difference is that this model entirely removed all GameCube controller and memory card ports, as well as the ability to play GameCube games. Doing so caused either full or partial incompatibility with certain Wii games that utilized the GameCube controller ports.
List pulled from Nintendo's Wii model differences list
| Game Name | Full or partial |
|---|---|
| Active Life: Explorer | Full |
| Active Life: Extreme Challenge | Full |
| Active Life: Magical Carnival | Full |
| Active Life: Outdoor Challenge | Full |
| Dance Dance Revolution | Partial |
| DanceDanceRevolution II | Partial |
| Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Grooves | Partial |
| DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party | Partial |
| DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party 2 | Partial |
| DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party 3 | Partial |
| Ultimate Party Challenge | Full |
| Walk It Out | Partial |
This model was produced in four colors: white, black, blue, and red. Each had a corresponding Wii Remote and Nunchuck of the same color.
Wii Mini - RVL-201
The last revision of the Wii, initially released exclusively in Canada in 2012, and later releasing in the United States and Europe. This console featured a top loader disc drive, as well as power and reset buttons next to the drive, more similar to those of the GameCube than to its previous versions. It also only had one USB slot, and removed the SD card slot featured in previous models.
In terms of connectivity, this model removed the capacity to connect to Wi-Fi. This means that any game with an online component would be partially incompatible with this console, typically removing things such as online multiplayer. Because of the lack of Wi-Fi, the console cannot be updated without the use of a disc-based update.
This version of the console is also incompatible with all the games listed in the RVL-101 model portion, due to a lack of GameCube ports.