Wii U production may end in 2016

[JCnator]

So far, the Wii U has been underwhelming in terms of sales, with its 12.6 millions units sold as of December 31st 2015, yet the owners of Wii U still enjoyed their quality time with its small library of games.

As Nintendo proceeds to the inevitable unveiling of NX in June 14th at E3, the ill-fated Wii U may hit the bucket sooner than usual. According to Nikkei report, Nintendo might end up ceasing the hardware's manufacturing production before the end of 2016. Keep in mind that while Nikkei has a strong track record when it comes to the accuracy of facts, we're still waiting for Nintendo to 100% confirm the matter.

While I believe it's rather soon for Nintendo to stop producing Wii U units, it still isn't surprising for me. Perhaps the company has begun producing the NX units already, should the Nikkei report turns out to be real and the console is actually slated to be released in late 2016. It's also worth noting that GameCube was discontinued in 2007, and the Wii production ended in late 2013.

Source: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...ggests_that_wii_u_production_will_end_in_2016

 

[bloomwaker]

I saw news of this earlier. It's a little sad if it's true, considering I do like the system quite a bit, but I'm also looking forward to what Nintendo has in store for us.

Despite the lack of third party support compared to other consoles, I do think it has a pretty solid library. Not that I can afford or have the time to play through it, but I could get hundreds of hours out of one of the exclusive games alone. If the NX has more games like that, I'm definitely excited.

(Xenoblade Chronicles X 2 please).

 

[DarkDesertFox]

That would actually make me really sad. It would most likely diminish player counts for the online multiplayer for existing games. I would also hope this would not affect the servers being shut down anytime soon.

 

[Dy1an]

rip wiiu 201x
It will be sad if it did

 

[Paperboy012305]

So, does this mean no more MK8 DLC? Or any DLC of any kind? Ok.

 

[Cress]

Just putting a reminder out there that because production for it is stopping this year, that doesn't mean it'll stop being sold this year. They'll most likely be on store shelves new at the beginning of next year.
Also production of games, new and old, won't stop immediately for it either. There won't be very many new ones, but there may be a few if we are lucky. Older games are on the eshop anyways so they'll be there to buy whenever you feel like it.

What I am worried about is when the Wii U servers will be shut down. Hopefully they will be up for a few more years because the Wii U is such an online-focused system. Games like Pokken and especially Splatoon will become worthless unless they get a sequel and there's some sort of data transfer so you can keep levels and outfits and whatever else. Also those 2 games are very recent so giving them a short life when both are very popular would be a huge no-no.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Forgot Mario Maker, I'm pretty sure that game won't let you get past the title screen if you aren't connected to the internet.

 

[DarkDesertFox]

Just putting a reminder out there that because production for it is stopping this year, that doesn't mean it'll stop being sold this year. They'll most likely be on store shelves new at the beginning of next year.
Also production of games, new and old, won't stop immediately for it either. There won't be very many new ones, but there may be a few if we are lucky. Older games are on the eshop anyways so they'll be there to buy whenever you feel like it.

What I am worried about is when the Wii U servers will be shut down. Hopefully they will be up for a few more years because the Wii U is such an online-focused system. Games like Pokken and especially Splatoon will become worthless unless they get a sequel and there's some sort of data transfer so you can keep levels and outfits and whatever else. Also those 2 games are very recent so giving them a short life when both are very popular would be a huge no-no.

I agree. It would be a **** move to shut them down within the next year or so. When the Wii U was released, the Wii servers were shut down a couple years after so I think we can at least hope for that much time with them. Even then though, the Wii came out in 2006 so it had them up quite awhile. I'm not sure the Wii U will have the same duration as the NX is being released soon. I love playing online so I do hope they keep them up for awhile.

Edit: Although... I looked at the Wiki and the Wii was discontinued in 2013 so the servers were shut down a year after. I hope the same doesn't happen for the Wii U.

 

[Javocado]

Poor Wii U. Rest in peace. I will miss U.
Good console but not good enough.

The amount of gems in the Wii U library is quite high though!

 

[Bowie]

I think Nintendo could learn a lot from indie developers. Nintendo are making things way too complex, and most of all unnecessary. I mean, what was the point of Miiverse, or Nintendo Network IDs? Focus on the games, please.

 

[Spongebob]

Spoiler

jk the wii u is a great console but I'm ready to move on to the NX

 

[JCnator]

[...]

Forgot Mario Maker, I'm pretty sure that game won't let you get past the title screen if you aren't connected to the internet.

Well, Mario Maker won't let you access to Course World if you aren't connected to the Internet. When that happens, you won't be able to unlock the Mystery Costumes, nor uploading/downloading levels from the server. You can still create levels even after the online features are discontinued, but the bulk of the game would be sorely missed.


Also, I'm fairly certain the Nintendo Network servers will be up for longer than the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ones ever did, thanks to not adhering to a third-party network infrastructure (e.g. GameSpy).

 

[pika62221]

It's amazing how one, people take rumors verbatim. Two, between the 3DS and Wii U which system would you expect to see the answer to when I said one of these the last 4 years has dropped every year in sales, while the other saw a drop 3 years ago, a rebound last year, and is expected to maintain the same amount this fiscal year which ends March 31, 2015? Wii U, right? WRONG! The 3DS topped in sales in 2012, dropped in 2013, dropped in 2014, dropped in 2015 as well! The Wii U dropped in 2013, came up in 2014, and 2015 (ends March 31, 2016), it's expected to be slightly higher. Here's what their financials say about system sales:

Nintendo 3DS
2012: 13.95
2013: 12.24
2014: 8.73
2015: 5.88 (so far, 2015 ends March 31, 2016, forecast lowered to 6.60)

Wii U:
2012: 3.45
2013: 2.72
2014: 3.38
2015: 3.06 (so far, it's forecast to be 3.40)


The 3DS is dropping, quite a bit the last few years, and another surprising fact about the 3DS, it's led by Japan! So, what Japan always leads! WRONG! Japan has NEVER led in any console sales for any device, from Game Boy to DS to Wii to Famicom, etc, they all had higher sales in every region outside Japan, the 3DS is leading in Japan, the smallest of the regions, because Westerners are turning to other devices. Put it this way, without Japan leading the way, the 3DS would be struggling to hit 35 million lifetime over 5 years later! Point is, you can't believe everything you read. Here's the source for the data, which also shows Japan is higher this year in Wii U sales than any other region, which is likely why it's constantly sold out at retailers, and not because Nintendo is purposely holding back since its sales are UP this year over last versus the other regions where they're DOWN (Splatoon likely the reason why). Here: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf

 

[Cress]

It's amazing how one, people take rumors verbatim.

Well this source has credibility unlike a lot of other leaks, it's one of the few leaks I'll believe. (Anyone who has seen me talking about Smash leaks knows I try to disprove those as much as possible lol)

Also looking at the numbers, 3DS is still outselling the Wii U. It's dropping faster, but it's still higher. Also what about game sales? I'm almost certain 3DS dominates the Wii U's numbers there.

 

[bloomwaker]

Nintendo Has Denied The Nikkei Report Claiming That Wii U Production Is Shutting Down

Hm.

 

[Shimmer]

It's really early but I understand why. The Wii U has and is still doing horrible, sales wise.

 

[Venn]

I can confirm that several Wii U Bundles went on Clearance at a Store I went to.
The clearance price was half off normal price and they sold quickly.

 

[DarkDesertFox]

Nintendo Has Denied The Nikkei Report Claiming That Wii U Production Is Shutting Down

Hm.

Music to my ears honestly. It would have had too short of a life.