The Ultimate Wii U Console Craze: Unbelievable Sales Boom in 2021

Highlights

The Wii U, despite being discontinued and phased out, managed to sell just one new console in the U.S. this year.

The Wii U received backlash for its lackluster launch lineup, limited third-party support, and ineffective marketing. However, it did showcase distinctive and enjoyable games that have been subsequently adapted for the Switch. The presence of new Wii U consoles in the market implies that certain retailers may have opted to retain their unsold inventory rather than returning it to Nintendo following the discontinuation of production.

Nintendo sold only one new Wii U console in the U.S. this year, which is surprising considering its discontinuation in 2017 after the release of the Nintendo Switch. The Switch has been a tremendous success and holds the title of the best-selling Nintendo home console and the third best-selling console overall. In contrast, the Wii U received mixed reviews upon its launch in 2012 due to reasons such as a weak lineup of games, limited third-party support, and inadequate marketing. Despite its flaws, the Wii U had several unique and enjoyable games, some of which have been ported to the Switch. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella has indicated that there are still new Wii U consoles being sold in certain locations.

According to Piscatella, Nintendo was able to sell a new Wii U in the U.S. in September, which was the first sale since May 2022. This information is based on data from Circana's Retail Tracking Service. Piscatella compared this to the sale of three discontinued PS Vitas by Sony in November 2021. The accuracy of this information was determined by Piscatella's analysis of individual store sales data for each product variant across various retailers, providing a comprehensive view of the hardware market.

When questioned about how a new Wii U could still be available, considering that Nintendo reclaimed all retailer stock after production ceased, Piscatella humorously responded, "Have you never lost your keys or misplaced a sock?" This suggests that some retailers may have chosen not to sell their Wii U consoles back to Nintendo, leading to speculation that a local chain or Walmart may still have inventory.

Despite the gradual shutdown of Wii U's online services, the console still retains a loyal fanbase. Fanmade servers have emerged to support popular games such as Splatoon and Mario Kart 8, alongside a thriving homebrew community dedicated to preserving its game library. Furthermore, certain titles like Xenoblade Chronicles X are yet to be ported to the Switch. Despite its mixed launch eleven years ago, the Wii U continues to receive affection from its dedicated enthusiasts.