Nintendo rubbishes Nikkei report, says Wii U production to continue

Nikkei reported that Nintendo would stop Nintendo Wii U production this year. Nintendo reportedly told ITMedia that the Nikkei report was “not an official announcement” and that they “plan to continue production through the rest of the year.” The original report from Reuters is as follows:

“Japanese videogame maker Nintendo Co Ltd will stop production of the Wii U video game console as early as this year after stagnant sales, Nikkei reported on Tuesday.

A few components of the device have already been stopped and parts inventory will dry up this year, according to Nikkei. Nintendo’s Wii U console has lagged behind Sony Corp’s PlayStation and Microsoft Corp’s Xbox, while the rise of smartphone games has won over many gamers. Nintendo could not immediately be reached for comment.”

Recently, Nintendo said its first smartphone game attracted more than one million users three days after release good news for the Japanese game giant that was long reluctant to stray from its console-only policy. Nintendo released “Miitomo” a free-to-play and interactive game which allows users to create “Mii” avatars as it tries to compete better with rivals.

Users can customise the avatars’ outfit through in-app purchases and interact with characters created by other people or friends. The avatars ask players questions such as “What did you do on the weekend?” and “What is your favourite food?”, with the answers shared with other characters.

Nintendo has struggled as Sony and Microsoft outpaced it in console sales. The three companies are also fighting off a trend toward cheap even free downloadable games for smartphones and other mobile devices.

With inputs from Reuters