Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXIV: MiWi2 Wiipoff spotted in London shop

We're pretty sure that Nintendo doesn't have anything to fear when it comes to the MiWi2, a Wii knockoff that was first spotted by Engadget Korea back in June. However, we were surprised to see the fake on sale somewhere outside of Asia -- or really anywhere for that matter. Yes, unknowing parents may have accidentally snagged one of these rip-offs instead of the real deal at an unnamed London shop, but rest assured, your little darlings probably let you know once they unwrapped it and realized you got them the wrong damn thing.

[Thanks, Kasam]

[iPriest @ Dec 27th 2008 2:22AM]

You can get those for free when you buy a living room at a shop in my town in Belgium

[YoYoYo @ Dec 27th 2008 4:37AM]

That's ridiculous - Who would buy a living room in a shop that doesn't already own the loft above it? What possible use could it be?

[KRIS_C_123 @ Dec 27th 2008 2:24AM]

even if my mum did buy me this i wouldnt say anything for fear of hurting her feelings

[slycooper_rocker [patapon defence force] @ Dec 27th 2008 3:21AM]

if it was christmas, i wouldn't say anything. if it was any other time, i would say "you know it's called a wii right? not a miwi2."

i hate knock offs.

[Knee to the Groin @ Dec 27th 2008 4:30AM]

I'd blame Santa, hiring all those illegal Elfs doing the jobs for less than minimum wage!

[yopladas @ Dec 27th 2008 2:27AM]

Why are these companys sooo cruel?!?! whyyyyyyy!>!?!?!

Not that I've ever SEEN one before...

[ChineseMeizu @ Dec 27th 2008 2:50AM]

"Made In China"

Typical Suspect As Usual.. Lol...

[Uncontrol @ Dec 27th 2008 4:01AM]

the wii is also made in china

and like every other electronic

[Baby-G @ Dec 27th 2008 3:23AM]

I want one!!!!!!!111one!

[whiskey @ Dec 27th 2008 12:53PM]

Take a look at this http://www.omnisport.com/funnygame/index.htm

It's the MiWi (i don't think it is version 2) though but for 20 bucks....

Ask them if they can deliver outside El Salvador

[STINK @ Dec 27th 2008 3:40AM]

If you confuse this POS with a Wii, you really shouldn't be buying anything for anyone, or venture outside alone.

[Alexei @ Dec 27th 2008 3:44AM]

Looks like the Vii has some competition.

[G @ Dec 27th 2008 4:18AM]

Maybe Engadget should make a comparison article between all the ripoffs to see which was the worst :P

[AlDeezy @ Dec 27th 2008 4:20AM]

Here's a good video of the Chintendo Vii with some good British commentary. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wed_bW8iiEw&feature=channel_page

[rey @ Dec 27th 2008 3:57AM]

hahaha
We also have these things for sale here in Monterrey, MX.
These stuff cost around $40 USD each....

[YoYoYo @ Dec 27th 2008 4:39AM]

The Wii presumably has far better name recognition than the appearance of the console itself - It's not like they've had to aggressively market the thing. Surely this hasn't caused all that many mix-ups.

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ Dec 27th 2008 6:07AM]

MiWi ChWiistmas, Engadget.





…I'm really sorry, but somebody had to say it! XD

[Mr.E @ Dec 27th 2008 6:36AM]

I saw them on sale in Bromley Kent, in the "Christmas Shop", that was last week and i guess they won't be open much longer. It had a load of extra bits for use in different games just like the real thing.... :/

[Shane @ Dec 28th 2008 9:54AM]

Which one is the "Christmas Shop" near WH Smith on the high street? :P

[superhobo @ Dec 27th 2008 7:07AM]

D:

[GummiBall @ Dec 27th 2008 7:41AM]

This is normal SNES based system. I saw one at my friend's house in Breda, Netherlands. I also saw them in thai Tesco in Chiang Mai. I would not want to be the kid finding an old repackaged SNES under the tree...

[John @ Dec 27th 2008 7:52AM]

Tom Clancy said that if a country has the level of technology needed to build a personal computer, then they have the level of technology needed to build a nuclear submarine - lots of nuclear submarines.

Beware of China.

[User7 @ Dec 27th 2008 10:26AM]

And you know what he said about countries that can make knockoff game consoles!

[Nick @ Dec 27th 2008 7:55AM]

DO WANT

[James @ Dec 27th 2008 9:16AM]

Crap like this outta be illegal, and Nintendo should put this company out of business forever. After all, a billion people are suing Nintendo for stupid things, Nintendo should fire some out itself.

[Arkenklo @ Dec 27th 2008 5:52PM]

You're just angry because you accidentally could have gotten one of these instead of your Wii.

[James @ Dec 27th 2008 7:12PM]

Well, fortunately I wouldn't, but my mother might have. You know how old people are with technology.

[Andrew @ Dec 28th 2008 5:49AM]

Actually it isn't. Patents are acknowledged in just about every country except China and a few other areas. So actually it's perfectly legal for them to pump out this stuff.

[Dusty @ Dec 27th 2008 10:41AM]

If it puts out 1080p.... Add it to my list of things to buy ;)

[Alex @ Dec 27th 2008 11:18AM]

They are on sale here in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but under another name, but I've never seen these on any store. Seriously, this is trouble for anyone stupid enough to buy any of these...

[xstex @ Dec 27th 2008 11:21AM]

Haha I seen one just like this the other day.

[blore40 @ Dec 27th 2008 1:05PM]

CLXXIV? 174 KIRFs? Time for Engadget KIRF.

[Temo @ Dec 27th 2008 1:06PM]

My cousin got one of these for his Xmas present. But he is also 4 years old and didn't know the differences.

[mattclarkie @ Dec 27th 2008 1:18PM]

I think I saw one of these in sale at Netto. Fellow Englishmen should know that store.


I bet this thing has better graphics than Nintendo's offering.

[Arkenklo @ Dec 27th 2008 5:54PM]

@ Netto: Yeah, they sell knock-of of pretty much anything, I have yet not seen something on TV-shop that had'nd had a knock-off at Netto for a quarter of the price 2 months later.

@Graphics: Err, no.

[Vyruz @ Dec 27th 2008 7:34PM]

They are selling those in local toy stores here in the Netherlands too, but with the name ViMax instead of WiMi.
Funniest thing about this is that ViMax also is a brand of viagra.
I saw it in a shop I frequently visit for games, so when I saw it and pointed to the owner that it was a ripoff and asked why the hell it's in their shop, he responded (loosly translated from Dutch) "well, the big chain owners decide what we sell, and we've got consoles like these *points at some handheld rip that has been in the store for a while* for the poor familys who can't afford the real thing".
So that's their reason, what do you think?

[richbum @ Dec 27th 2008 10:46PM]

does it blend?

[ED @ Dec 28th 2008 5:25AM]

Anyone who can't tell the difference between the name 'Wii' and 'MiWi2' deserves this.

[BAM @ Dec 28th 2008 11:04AM]

These are also available in Australia branded as a Mee by Rock

[Games GOblin @ Dec 28th 2008 11:51AM]

From: http://miwi2.com/

"BEWARE OF CHEAPER IMPORTS!
You may have seen other versions of this product or even products which are called the same, the one thing that we would like to make you aware of is that products from china can vary in quality from one factory to another, with some factories using recycled plastics and cheap components. We have the stance that we would rather pay the few extra bucks to get the quality that you the customer wants. so please note that the old saying you get what you pay for is often the case. You may also need up to 18 batteries for other versions as they don't come with an ac adaptor and this one does. Don't take my word for it as we guarantee the quality of the product."

"

ONCE THEY ARE GONE THEY ARE GONE

DON'T MISS OUT DONT DELAY

ORDER TODAY!

"

And if you do decide to order it [sucks to be you]

http://www.safield.co.uk/miwi-games-console-p-891.html

[JohnM @ Dec 29th 2008 4:08AM]

Erm, I pointed out websites selling the miwi2 from a UK website last month, but never got reported!

pah I say!

[Jon Collins @ Dec 29th 2008 4:59PM]

I was bored today and this whole MiWi2 thing started to interest me, so I snooped around a bit. I don't like how deceptive knock-off products are used to take advantage of people who don't know exactly what they are looking for and, in my eyes at least, it seems that with the Wii being the end-all system for casual gamers and bringing in newcomers, they seem the most likely candidates to be taken advantage of. I found some interesting thing which may or may not be coincidences and laid them all out here: http://whatswaygood.com/?p=14.