Wii U news: Nintendo reportedly ceasing production of console by end of year; company denies rumor

REUTERS/KEVORK DJANSEZIAN

A Japanese website called Nikkei reported yesterday that Nintendo might stop producing its Wii U gaming console. There are several reasons cited as to why the Japanese firm might do the action by the end of the year.

According to the report, several Nintendo Wii U accessories are not being reproduced anymore and the company is just selling what they have in their current inventory, plus the sales performance is too slow. The report also added that the Japanese console manufacturer may not be able to make the Wii U spring back to life since game developers are also having difficulty creating games for the system. Additionally, the company may give more attention to its widely speculated next-gen console, the Nintendo NX.

Gamespot added Nikkei has made some impressive predictions before, and there may be some truth to its report.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, Nintendo has sold 12.6 million units for its eighth-generation Wii U, after its release in November 2013. There have been 101.63 million seventh-generation Wii units sold since its debut in 2006, while the PlayStation 4, introduced also in November 2013, has already sold 35.9 million units.

However, Nintendo is denying the said report. Another Japanese website, IT Media, stated that a Nintendo spokesperson said that no announcement came from their company concerning the Wii U and production is pushing through as scheduled for the next quarter and the next, Kotaku reported.

It is said that Nintendo will reveal its next gaming machine this 2016. Many are hoping that it will be at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo scheduled this June. According to industry gossip, the rumored Nintendo NX is a mix of portable and home gaming. The controller can act as a standalone carry-around gaming device. It is said to have its own LCD screen to allow playing while on the run, with a limited capacity. However, acting as a controller for the main unit, it is said to be as powerful or even better than the current gaming consoles available in the market.

The Japanese company is very careful not to spill any beans with regard to the rumored Nintendo NX.