Modders @WeskMods and @YveltalGriffin, have created a fully functional, keychain sized Wii console. The Kawaii project is a replacement Wii shell that measures just 60 x 60mm (2.3 x 2.3 inches) and is built in a sleek, machined metal unibody case. You will need to sacrifice your own Wii console to use with the Kawaii which may not be for the faint of heart due to the precise cutting and trimming required.

The project, which has been worked on for some time now, initially started as a discussion between Wesk and Yveltal when the two explored just how compact they could make the console, even aiming to surpass the already ridiculously small GC Nano in size.

Planned specs:

• 60x60x16mm CNC'd aluminum chassis (passively-cooled) with laser etched artwork
• Undervolted OMEGA trim with Thundervolt
• 12-pin magnetic pogo pin connector (MagSafe-like)
• Internal breakout PCB for SD-USB, input protection, and video muxing
• Dock with USB-C power input, x4 GCC controller ports, composite/component video output, & stereo audio output
• Six acrylic windows with RGB LEDs for peak aesthetics
• Keychain loop

After experimenting with different designs and ideas, they decided on a machined metal unibody and replaced traditional ports with magnetic pogo pin connectors. They also figured out how to undervolt the Wii for passive cooling, making the Kawaii even more compact and reducing the need for an active cooling fan. The pogo pin connectors provide power, AV out, controller support as well as docking support for GameCube controller support.

@YveltalGriffin and I have been cooking up something special over the past year or so and we are now happy to show it off.

A Wii console the size of a keychain!

CNC'd, anodized, laser marked, and passively cooled

Follow the link for more details: https://t.co/MgZT0ZBV6V pic.twitter.com/3trRBqoNiU

— Wesk Mods (@WeskMods) July 21, 2024

​

While not yet available, the team are registering interest in order to get the first batch built which would require a minimum order of 30 units. If successful, the price is expected to be around $55 per shell, which would include the shell in your chosen colours along with the necessary fixings plus shipping.

Source

 

[CMDreamer]

This is awesome!

It even looks like a legit console from Nintendo.

 

[Topaz95]

Interesting.

 

[DJ-Yoshiman]

Ninjas DMCA become in 3, 2, 1...

I'd like to issue a DMCA on these DMCA comments.

 

[SylverReZ]

I'd like to issue a DMCA on these DMCA comments.

I feel that the DMCA jokes have gone too far over very minor instances. The system is clearly being misunderstood on what should be infringed and what isn't.

Post automatically merged: Jul 28, 2024

Unrelated, but this tiny Wii has got to be the most impressive to me, just because of how tiny it is compared to other modifications.

I'd love to see how well this performs overall.

 

[auntnadia]

This is incredible if it really works. Wonder if there is any expertise needed, or if it will work straight out of the box. Anything that comes with a shell and screws suggests a bit of tech knowledge will be required. Assuming you have to source bios too?

 

[WiiHomebrew+Snes]

Not that I want to be an ass when I say this, but this is rather pointless. I've seen quite a few different types of Wii based modifications in the past, what the hell is this useful or good for? Why are majority of the modifications I see all about gimping the system's physical capabilities down to nothing and just chucking software at everything lost? This isn't exactly what I call modifications to give better life to these machines. Can we put more effort into actually making the systems as-is better? I don't know, if one must change the form factor, maybe redesign the shell, and do so to where you don't literally compromise 98% of the system itself and its capabilities. Seeing a Wii completely shredded hurts my mind, we really need to stop destroying original technology.

Leave compromising ideas like these to reproduction / clone systems capable of running stuff at the same native level. Doesn't exist yet? Well then that's an idea to get started somewhere then now isn't it?

First of all, it’s very unlikely many people are going to be making these; if they are, it’s probably going to be out of wiis in shit condition with broken disc drives or worse. Second, the only compromise that’s really meaningful is the lack of a disc drive; which once again is likely not going to be working on the wiis people are going to do this mod on. Third, and honestly best part about this wii is the thought of using it to base Wii portables around. Imagine slotting this into the back of a “portable dock” so to speak, I.e. screen controller batteries and possibly video out. Would be awesome.

 

[SylverReZ]

First of all, it’s very unlikely many people are going to be making these; if they are, it’s probably going to be out of wiis in shit condition with broken disc drives or worse. Second, the only compromise that’s really meaningful is the lack of a disc drive; which once again is likely not going to be working on the wiis people are going to do this mod on. Third, and honestly best part about this wii is the thought of using it to base Wii portables around. Imagine slotting this into the back of a “portable dock” so to speak, I.e. screen controller batteries and possibly video out. Would be awesome.

I have to guess if the storage in this console is a hacked up USB flash drive with all the games built-in.

 

[WiiHomebrew+Snes]

This is incredible if it really works. Wonder if there is any expertise needed, or if it will work straight out of the box. Anything that comes with a shell and screws suggests a bit of tech knowledge will be required. Assuming you have to source bios too?

You’re gonna have to source a wii and take it apart and trim the motherboard and rewire a bunch of stuff and mod the Wii to make it actually work. And no you wouldn’t neee the bios because this would have an actual wii motherboard inside

 

[Shape]

Heyyyy lady, how about I come over reaaaal late? We can eat 2AM tacos and play with my... wee little Wii.

 

[RedColoredStars]

Lame. Because gaming on a screen that size is incredibly immersive and tons of fun.

 

[DeadSkullzJr]

How many abandoned and broken Wiis exist in the world? Trimming one down as a novelty or to put in a handheld is an excellent way to breathe new life into an old system.

Repair the Wii into its former state then. This is about as crummy as the GBA Macro. Cutting down half the system's capabilities. Sure, maybe you can run Wii and GameCube games still via software, but what about the GameCube controller ports, the memory card ports, the USB ports, sensor bar, etc.. Hell using a Wii remote period. If people seriously want "portable Wii" so much, either clone the hardware into a handheld form factor or emulate it on one of your phones or handheld computer. Most people seem to have a compatible device these days to run Dolphin. So what's the issue? It would be more of a "new life" to the system if you fine tuned against its flaws, and built on top of it, rather than cutting it down.

 

[SecureBoot]

Repair the Wii into its former state then. This is about as crummy as the GBA Macro. Cutting down half the system's capabilities. Sure, maybe you can run Wii and GameCube games still via software, but what about the GameCube controller ports, the memory card ports, the USB ports, sensor bar, etc.. Hell using a Wii remote period. If people seriously want "portable Wii" so much, either clone the hardware into a handheld form factor or emulate it on one of your phones or handheld computer. Most people seem to have a compatible device these days to run Dolphin. So what's the issue? It would be more of a "new life" to the system if you fine tuned against its flaws, and built on top of it, rather than cutting it down.

GameCube controller ports are still there. Memory card is replaced with superior micro SD, internal USB port, sensor bars still exist, Bluetooth chip is included in the trim so real Wii remotes work.


You must be seriously fun at parties

 

[Marc_LFD]

I feel that the DMCA jokes have gone too far over very minor instances. The system is clearly being misunderstood on what should be infringed and what isn't.

Looking at the main picture, it doesn't look like it's a fan project. It's called Nintendo Kawai (fits in well with their Wii-like sounding consoles).

It's actually deceiving in a way to do so.

 

[urbanman2004]

Brought to you by the miracles of modern technology

 

[WiiHomebrew+Snes]

Lame. Because gaming on a screen that size is incredibly immersive and tons of fun.

Dunno if you’re joking but there’s no built in screen, it’s got video out

 

[Cris1997XX]

GameCube controller ports are still there. Memory card is replaced with superior micro SD, internal USB port, sensor bars still exist, Bluetooth chip is included in the trim so real Wii remotes work.


You must be seriously fun at parties

And you must be seriously crazy, because these half-assed projects aren't good for any actual use. They're just "cool" novelties that you keep on your shelf, occasionally showing them to people or something

 

[SecureBoot]

And you must be seriously crazy, because these half-assed projects aren't good for any actual use. They're just "cool" novelties that you keep on your shelf, occasionally showing them to people or something

I'm not disagreeing to the crazy thing, but having talked to these guys and witnessing the genuine engineering that goes into this- there is nothing half assed. It takes some serious talent, planning, and research. Also, not everything has to be ultra functional. Sometimes pushing limits for the novelty or just to challenge yourself is fun

 

[Maximo101]

I will be superiorly impressed if this were done with a PS4...

 

[SecureBoot]

I will be superiorly impressed if this were done with a PS4...

That's unfortunately not gonna happen. With how compact modern consoles are and how much power they draw, there's not much motherboard you can trim without breaking crucial functionality. Best you see is a laptop form factor

 

[Marc_LFD]

I will be superiorly impressed if this were done with a PS4...

The PS4 Slim is really lightweight and slim as it is, but other than the design its hardware is the same as the original model.

Anyway, the PS4 Pro is the definitive model to get (especially if it has 9.00 or less).