Nintendo Wii Also Discontinued in Europe

[Steven Bogos]

Nintendo Wii Also Discontinued in Europe

Despite the initial announcement [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/128877-Nintendo-Halts-Wii-Manufacturing] only applying to Japan, Nintendo UK confirms that it will also apply to Europe.

Earlier this month, Nintendo quietly ended an era by announcing that the continue to be manufactured for US markets [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/128877-Nintendo-Halts-Wii-Manufacturing]. Not so good news for our friends on the other side of the world, though, as Nintendo UK has confirmed that Wii imports to all of Europe have been discontinued.

"However, there are still a variety of options for consumers to enjoy Wii games and the Wii gameplay experience," said the Nintendo representative. "Wii U, which is Nintendo's latest home console, is backwards compatible with nearly all existing Wii games and accessories ... when you switch to Wii Mode on Wii U."

The announcement also does not effect the Wii Mini [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122368-Wii-Mini-Heading-Across-the-Pond], a the previously Canadian exclusive miniature hardware revision of the Wii that made its way to the UK earlier in the year.

"The announcement that the Wii console has been discontinued is specific to Japan," said Nintendo of America in the earlier announcement [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/128947-Nintendo-of-America-Wiis-Not-Dead-Yet-At-Least-In-US]. "There is no change in the status of Wii in the United States, and it is available for purchase this holiday season."

So there you have it. If you're European and want a Wii, you better grab one before stock runs out!

Source: CVG [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/435248/original-wii-discontinued-in-europe-confirms-nintendo/]

Permalink

 

[Bindal]

So, only about a year after the WiiU came out, the Wii is discontinued.
...
How long did the PS2 hold after release of the PS3, again? Six years?

 

[The Eupho Guy_v1legacy]

I wonder if this applies to Australia as well, seeing as we're usually lumped in with Europe when it comes to video game regions.

 

[fletch_talon]

So, only about a year after the WiiU came out, the Wii is discontinued.
...
How long did the PS2 hold after release of the PS3, again? Six years?

Probably helped that after having it available for a short time sony were nice enough to take away the backwards compatability of PS3 consoles with PS2 games. Anyone wanting to play PS2 games, or replace a broken console had to buy a PS2 meaning there was still a decent market for it.
If anyone wants to play Wii games they can do so on a WiiU, there's no need for the consoles to run side by side.

 

[OldNewNewOld]

So, only about a year after the WiiU came out, the Wii is discontinued.
...
How long did the PS2 hold after release of the PS3, again? Six years?

That's probably because the PS3 wasn't backwards compatible and people actually bought the thing years after the PS3 came out.
The Wii stopped selling a long time ago and forcing it to stay on the market would just hurt Nintendo.

The fact that it competes against the WiiU, Nintendo's own console doesn't help either.

OT:
It's not like people are buying it. I see people make a fuse over this, but I honestly don't see the problem. There are and still will be many Wii's available for sale for some time and anyone who wanted one will most likely have it. If not, they still have a chance. Nintendo still has to get ride of the unites they have in stock. It's not like they are going from store to store and taking back the Wii's.

 

[karloss01]

So, only about a year after the WiiU came out, the Wii is discontinued.
...
How long did the PS2 hold after release of the PS3, again? Six years?

Ten years was the initial idea (finishing in 2015) but demand seemed to plummet pretty quick to bother with that plan.

On topic I think I buy a second hand Wii (black if they have them, to match my PC, Tv, PS3 and 360) and pick up the few good games that came out for it. buying it launch the first time was a bad move on my part, for the fist three years I'd only bought 5 games that i had some interest in.

 

[fix-the-spade]

So, only about a year after the WiiU came out, the Wii is discontinued.

Well, not really, it's been superseded by the Wii Mini.

It's similar situation to the Playstation/PSOne then Playstation2/PS2 models, it makes no sense to keep manufacturing the more expensive model. We'll have to see how long the Wii Mini lasts before casting judgement.