Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
  • News

Nintendo Wii Converted Into A Mac Mini By Modder

  • November 17, 2022
  • Jason Brown
Wii to Mac Mini

If your nostalgia senses are tingling, then it’s probably because a Nintendo Wii converted into a Mac Mini has recently come onto our radars.

Nintendo’s Wii console is now sixteen years old. Many gamers, including those of us at Retro Dodo, are reluctant to class it as ‘retro’ though.

Don’t forget that it’s since been superseded by both the Wii U and the Switch.

Also, anyone who was ten years old when it came out is now in their mid-20s – so if this is how you find out how retro a Wii is, we can only apologise.

Wii (2006) - Nintendo Wii Converted Into A Mac Mini By Modder

Perhaps because of its age and its retro status, the Wii is now entering a very nostalgic period for many of us; modder Luke Miani included. 

Given the Wii’s petite design and its similarity in size to the M1 Mac Mini, Miani had a brainwave.

Why not make the petite Mac look a little more interesting? Why not take the innards of a Mac Mini and place them inside a Wii case?

Mac Mini

Due to the similar sizes of both machines, it made sense. As well as this, Miani notes that the design of the Mac Mini is pretty boring, whereas the Wii has a much more appealing aesthetic appearance.

It’s certainly a unique project and one that doesn’t even look too complicated to do, though the slight differences in the shape of each device do present a few challenges.

Most notably the need for a smaller power supply, as the Mac Mini’s is too big to fit in the Wii case along with everything else.

A bit of 3D printing is also required – but again, nothing looks too complicated for seasoned modders to do at all.

Mac Mini Wii Features

Miani even goes as far as using the Wii’s WiFi antenna instead of the Mac Mini’s, which is one of many impressive touches that gets the machine working beautifully.

There’s a few oversights: it’s a real shame that the lovely blue LEDs of the Wii aren’t utilised at all, for example.

Yet it’s incredibly impressive how Miani is able to get the Mac Mini inside the Wii and in such a way that it remains functional with just a few changes.

Perhaps of most interest to Retro Dodo readers is the fact that Miani demonstrates Mario Kart Wii, running in 4K thanks to the Dolphin emulator, on this Mac Mini in a Wii shell. 

It’s an absolutely mind-blowing use of the weird hybrid of Mac and Wii. Just seeing the Wii version of Mario Kart running so smoothly, and in such high resolution in comparison to the original – that it almost feels like witchcraft!

Or at least it would, if you hadn’t had the peek behind the curtain and seen just how Miani was able to pull off this awesome technological magic trick. 

Of course, emulation isn’t just limited to Wii games or Nintendo games in general; Miani also briefly demonstrates GameCube and PS2 games on the device, noting that it’s a perfect machine for retro gaming.

If this is a project that you’d like to try yourself, you’ll want to be fully armed with information on the best Nintendo Wii games and even the best GameCube games – all of which would be perfect to play on a Wii that’s really a Mac Mini in disguise!

Is this Nintendo Wii converted into a Mac Mini Something that you could see catching on? Let us know over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!


This article may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase an item we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

Jason Brown
Jason Brown

Jason – who lives in the UK – has had a lifelong interest in video games, which all started when he discovered Space Invaders in the early 80s. The first game he ever completed was Wonder Boy in Monster Land on the Sega Master System – which remains one of his proudest gaming achievements. Jason is a passionate writer – and has been writing about gaming since the late 90s. He currently runs pop culture blog midlifegamergeek.com, which he updates on a daily basis (and has written more than 700 articles on the blog alone!).

Outside of video games, Jason is a keen tabletop gamer, film buff and comic book fan.

You May Also Like
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Presentation
View Post
  • News

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Presentation Reveals Exciting New Gameplay Mechanics

  • March 28, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch
View Post
  • News

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch Finally Revealed

  • March 28, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
StreetPass Revival 2023
View Post
  • News

StreetPass Revival 2023 Hopes To Bring The 3DS Back Into Fashion

  • March 27, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Lush x Super Mario Bros.
View Post
  • News

Lush Releasing A New Bath Line For the Super Mario Bros. Movie

  • March 24, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Sonic Origins Plus
View Post
  • News

Sonic Origins Plus Rumored For Release June 2023

  • March 23, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Atari Nightdive Studios
View Post
  • News

Atari Is Officially Acquiring Nightdive Studios

  • March 23, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Counter-Strike 2
View Post
  • News

Counter-Strike 2 Announced for Summer 2023, Limited Test Begins Today

  • March 22, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always
View Post
  • News

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers To Return On Netflix April 19th

  • March 22, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Presentation
    The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Presentation Reveals Exciting New Gameplay Mechanics
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch
    The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch Finally Revealed
  • All Pink Pokemon [The Complete List]
  • tetris movie review
    Tetris (Movie) Review
  • How To Get Samurott In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
retro dodo logo
RetroDodo is an online magazine dedicated to showcasing the world's best retro products. We're a team of passionate gamers and nostalgic hunters who want to create a modern, hip hub for all things retro gaming.
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Spotify
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Mail
About Us
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Affiliate Disclosure
Contact
Owned by Click Hill Limited, Bartholomew Way, Corsham, SN130FR, United Kingdom. Company No: 13923009. All rights reserved. Copyright Click Hill Limited 2022.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.