This is strangely familiar, isn’t it? Nintendo announced today that they will be releasing a redesigned Wii in the UK just in time for the holiday season. The new model is mostly the same, but does away with everything related to GameCube backwards compatibility. This means no CGN games, controllers, or memory cards.

GameCube compatibility was a major selling point in the Wii’s early years. Over its lifespan, the system has amassed a library of games big enough to easily last a consumer from now until the Wii U launches.

However, that is of no comfort to those gamers who just preferred using a GameCube controller with their games. There’s even been dedicated hardware made specifically to take advantage of the functionality!

I’m not seeing any language implying that this redesign aims to replace the Wii’s launch model immediately, so whoever in UK wants to play Wii with a GameCube controller still has time.

I guess while Sony and Nintendo prep for their next-gen launches, they’re relying on ingenuity and the power of the holiday season to get some revenue in.

The redesigned system will be included in a value bundle. No word yet on an international release or a price on the bundle. If Nintendo says anything about that soon, we’ll keep you updated.