The Nintendo Wii launched in North America on November 19, 2006, for $249.99, with Wii Sports in the box. Within months, grandparents were bowling, living rooms were rearranged and everyone had a story about a wrist strap. It went on to sell more than 100 million consoles.
Twenty years later, the Wii is one of the best-value retro consoles you can buy, especially because it plays GameCube games too.
Is the Wii still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for three reasons:
- It's affordable. A tested Wii costs a fraction of a modern console.
- It plays two libraries. The original Wii (model RVL-001) plays Wii games and GameCube games.
- It's still the best party console. Motion-controlled bowling, tennis and Mario Kart are as fun at a family gathering today as they were in 2006.
Official Original Nintendo Wii Remote Controller · $29.97
A genuine Wii Remote, so nobody waits their turn.
The best Wii games to own
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword · $29.97
Link's origin story, with sword fighting by motion control.
How to connect a Wii to a modern TV
The Wii came with standard AV (composite) cables, which can look soft on a large flat-screen. For a sharper picture:
- Component cables. These let the Wii output 480p, its best picture, on TVs with component inputs. Try our Wii component cable.
- An HDMI adapter. A small adapter that plugs into the Wii's AV port lets you connect to HDMI, which is handy if your TV has no component inputs.
The Wii also needs its sensor bar placed above or below the TV so the Wii Remote can point at the screen.
Wii vs Wii Mini
| Wii (RVL-001) | Wii Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Plays Wii games | Yes | Yes |
| Plays GameCube games | Yes | No |
| Component video (480p) | Yes | No |
| Price at C&C | $109.97 | $104.97 |
For most people, the original Wii is the better buy: it plays both libraries and gives a sharper picture.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Wii 20th anniversary?
November 19, 2026. The Wii launched in North America on November 19, 2006.
Is the Wii still worth buying?
Yes. It's affordable, it's one of the best party consoles ever made, and the original model also plays GameCube games.
Can the Wii play GameCube games?
The original Wii (model RVL-001) can, using GameCube controllers and memory cards. The Wii Mini and later Wii models without GameCube ports cannot.
Does the Wii work on a modern TV?
Yes. Use component cables for the sharpest 480p picture, or an HDMI adapter if your TV has no component input. Remember to set up the sensor bar.
Can you still play Wii games online?
Not through Nintendo. Nintendo's online service for the Wii shut down in 2014. Local multiplayer still works perfectly.
Every game and console we sell is cleaned, tested on real hardware and covered by our 180-day warranty, with 30-day returns and free US shipping on orders over $70.