Nintendo makes new Wii model (for Europe, so far), removes GC BC/ports

[A Black Falcon]

I remember Nintendo saying that there'd never been a multi-size slot load drive before they made one for the Wii, or at least that they had to make a new one, so a slot-load drive that could load different disc sizes actually was a more complex idea... and it's got to be harder to build too, it's got to be able to accept the smaller discs from various parts of the drive and then angle them into the middle before pulling it in, after all. So it is more complex in terms of loading mechanisms. I'm sure you're right about the laser, but that's not what's more complex.

I mean, look at how when you put a GC disc in it doesn't just pull it in, it moves it into position first...

Sort of... It's left up to the developer to include it, and they are all over the board in how it gets implemented when they deem to do so. Of those that install data, very often it's a limited amount.

Oh right, installs are more size-limited on PS3 or something? What was it, a 5GB limit for mandatory installs? But optional installs can be full-disc, yes?

Actually PSP games are the same way. In that case I can say that it's not nearly as quick loading as a complete disk copy, as Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep can attest to. The load times in that game are simply aweful with no install. With it they are bearable, but after a full copy they're practically gone.

Of course with the PSP a big issue is that said installs must be to a Memory Stick Pro Duo, not exactly the most common or cheap kind of memory card...