Wii Gets an Ugly, Chinese Half-Cousin

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, yes? Well Nintendo should be very, very flattered right now. A Wii knockoff named the Vii has turned up in China and is currently being sold in stores. It looks like someone was drunk and blind in one eye got poked in the other eye, saw a Wii, and copied it. But wait, it includes 12 games like “Alacrity Golf,” “Fever Move,” and “Catch Fish.” And it also comes in three colors! And you can change the faceplates on the Viimotes! It’s like everything I love about the Wii has gotten five times cheaper.

One thing the Chinese got right on is Nintendo particular brand of “lifestyle shots.” Happy Chinese people of all ages playing Vii look a lot like happy Americans and Japanese of all ages playing the Wii. You know this reminds me of Mitch and I. Me the sleek, highly-regarded and loved Wii and him, the sad, poor knock-off of the original. A fitting metaphor.

Engadget China – Video of Vii in Action
Engadget English – Vii, meet Wii

Image source: Engadget cn