Nintendo to End Wii U Production. Possible Nintendo NX Release Date Soon?

It appears that the Wii U, Nintendo’s current generation home console is closer to its end than anticipated. Retailers in the UK are being asked by Nintendo to put their final orders in for it.

“Nintendo is now taking final orders on Wii U consoles. Those that haven't ordered by the end of next week (Friday September 30) will not be able to order the Wii U again from Nintendo,” a post on UK retailer Gameseek reads. “Is this Nintendo's last roll of the dice with the Wii U so they can plan to give retailers details about the new hardware next month? Is something exciting due to be announced in October?”

(Also see: Nintendo Acknowledges Mistakes With Wii U Launch, Looks to Do Better Job With NX)

This follows rumours of the NX already undergoing trial production at Foxconn’s manufacturing facilities.

Although Nintendo hasn’t officially announced its new console, codenamed NX, that hasn’t stopped its partners and developers from providing a steady stream of information on what to expect. Earlier in the week The Pokemon Company’s CEO confirmed it would be a home console and handheld hybrid while prior to this, reports have indicated it would use cartridges.

(Also see: Nintendo NX Is a Handheld Console That Ditches Backwards Compatibility: Report)

Prior to this, it was reported by Japanese newspaper The Nikkei that Nintendo will stop producing its Wii U console this year. As per a translation by Japanese game consultant Serkan Toto:

"The Nikkei just reports Nintendo will stop producing Wii U within 2016. It doesn't say they will necessarily start selling NX in 2016," Toto tweeted.

This was followed by a second tweet that said according to the Japanese daily "some Wii U accessories are already not being produced anymore. Nintendo plans to deplete inventory this year."

While the newspaper claims that Nintendo may not sell its next console, the Nintendo NX this year, the depletion of inventory indicates that the Wii U is most definitely on its way out. And it also points to the inevitable announcement regarding the NX sooner rather than later. Nintendo refuted this a day later, not the first time the company has denied claims that inevitably rang true as we're seeing right now.