Nintendo's Wii Mini is a Canadian Exclusive

Not unlike Sony has done with previous models of PlayStations, Nintendo has announced a wee little wii will soon be available in time for the Christmas season.

However, the console, dubbed the "Wii Mini," is launching in Canada, and no plans have yet been announced to bring the console anywhere else. Nintendo has said that "no information is available about its potential availability in other territories in the future." Translation - Much like proper poutine and Tim Horton's, the Wii Mini is exclusive to Canada until further notice.

But in all honesty, American gamers won't be missing much. While the Wii Mini features an attractive price at $99, compared to the Wii's $250 pricetag at its launch in 2006, the two aren't the same console, not by a long shot.

According to a recent press statement, the mini Wii is a "family-friendly design" that "has no Internet capabilities and does not play Nintendo GameCube games." BUT, according to Best Buy, the "it features full functionality and compatibility with the Wii's expansive library of over 1,300 games."

Whew, allow me to wipe the sweat from my brow. However, this does mean that buyers miss their shot to play the Wii Virtual Console's library of over 400 games, including classics from Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, NES, Neo Geo, and the Arcade.

Featuring a slimmer and sleeker design done up in red and black, buyers get the console, sensor bar, and a bright red motion plus controller with nunchuk.

Nintendo's Wii Mini ships Dec. 9.