Report: Wii U production ends this Friday.

[AzrealMaximillion]

Eurogamer has reported that the Wii U's final production run rolls out this Friday.

I remember articles about this back in March saying this would happen by the end of the year at first dropped by Nikkei. They've been pretty on the ball when reporting on Nintendo and though Nintendo denied this it seems like they've proved them right once again.

http://venturebeat.com/2016/03/22/nintendo-to-cease-wii-u-production-this-year/

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-01-nintendo-to-end-wii-u-production-this-week

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Wii hardly knew thee.

 

[Lufia Erim]

You know everytime i see the word "Report" i think it was one of Tacos news reports. I am dissapointed now

 

[WeepingAngels]

That was quick. I wonder what will survive more time, the Wii U or The Escapist.

Depends on what you mean by survive because I would say that the end of production for the Wii U might fit that description. In that case, escapist wins because it will last until Monday.

 

[Yoshi178]

Wii will miss U

 

[Neverhoodian]

And so it ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper.

Good thing I didn't go too crazy with the game purchases. It limits my buyer's remorse to the console itself.

 

[Evonisia]

So production stops before the next console is even out. Has that happened before - besides outright dead consoles like the Dreamcast?

Well, it's sad that it's going so soon, but Nintendo really screwed up this cycle round and hopefully they'll know what they're doing for the Switch.

 

[Saelune]

I guess its proof that the Switch is supposed to replace the Wii U and not the 3DS, and all the people who think its a mobile device first are misinformed. But considering alot of those people are those who think Nintendo is going out of business, Im not surprised.

 

[bluegate]

So that makes what, roughly 15 million Wii U units out in the wild? That'll be a neat little collectors item in a few years.

 

[BrawlMan]

So production stops before the next console is even out. Has that happened before - besides outright dead consoles like the Dreamcast?

Well, it's sad that it's going so soon, but Nintendo really screwed up this cycle round and hopefully they'll know what they're doing for the Switch.

It's ironic, because people (especially on the Escapists forum) kept saying "this is different and nothing like the situation from the Sega Saturn to the Dreamcast". Defenders were super vocal about that. Now they were proven wrong. I'm surprised production stopped sooner; I expected it to end around at least April or May of 2017.

 

[gorfias]

That was quick. I wonder what will survive more time, the Wii U or The Escapist.

Aieeee! No doubt which I'd miss more!!!

The Wii U games library I have will last me about another 2 years minimum. Short attention span. Plenty of other games mixed with these. I've barely even scratched the surface of Watch Dogs.

Escapist? Where else can I bloviate like this? Who else would put up with me!?!? I'd be a pariah!!! Happy both are still with me for now.

I guess its proof that the Switch is supposed to replace the Wii U and not the 3DS, and all the people who think its a mobile device first are misinformed. But considering alot of those people are those who think Nintendo is going out of business, Im not surprised.

Not sure. Best argument it is not meant to R&R 3DS: The 3DS is still relatively portable. Otherwise, it seems a logical replacement. The 3DS supposedly has graphics on par with the N64: it is generations behind the curve graphics wise. I'm interested in the Switch. The 3DS? Passed it by. Maybe my loss.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

And so it ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper.

Good thing I didn't go too crazy with the game purchases. It limits my buyer's remorse to the console itself.

Same. I'm glad I only have a handful of games to go with my latest Nintendo brand paperweight.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

The 3DS supposedly has graphics on par with the N64

Ehhhhh, probably a bit closer to Gamecube levels, especially with some games that really push the hardware. The 3DS is quite a lovely little thing for sure, so if you haven't, I'd give its library a little look.

OT: My Wii U didn't end up having a lot of titles in the end, but I'm still glad I got it. Star Fox Zero, Fast Racing Neo, Wind Waker HD, Wonderful 101... all games I was very pleased to have had the time to enjoy, as well as several others. Eventually I'll get to beating Xenoblade Chronicles X and start playing Bayonetta 2. But when LoZ Breath of the Wild comes out, I will be enjoying my time with it on the Switch

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

Not sure. Best argument it is not meant to R&R 3DS: The 3DS is still relatively portable. Otherwise, it seems a logical replacement. The 3DS supposedly has graphics on par with the N64: it is generations behind the curve graphics wise. I'm interested in the Switch. The 3DS? Passed it by. Maybe my loss.

It doesn't invalidate your point but it's closer to the PS2 with the addition of shaders. The original DS was closer to the N64 (I mean, check this out, it's an open world crime sandbox running in 60fps on the original DS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSzcagyBw34 )

Resident Evil Revelations and Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance would have looked impressive on a PS2 and you have to consider the additional performance hit that having to run in 3D must incur.

PS2 level visuals are still behind the curve, though. But it's not so bad. They look fine on that small screen and it's much less expensive to make expansive games at that fidelity. A visual upgrade would be nice but I'm a little concerned about the Switch as a handheld to succeed the 3DS.

It's clearly replacing the Wii U and that means we might just end up with home console oriented games on the go. That's not always bad, Ocarina of Time worked surprisingly well as a portable game, but a lot of 3DS games managed to find this great balance between surprising depth that can keep you playing for hours and an immediacy that means you can jump right in for 15 minutes of fun on the train. I feel like a lot of modern console games just wouldn't work in 15 minute increments.

Hopefully enough games are developed with a handheld mindset to make it work, I am tentatively excited but we need more information. Especially about the battery.