Nintendo announced the end of repair services for its Wii U console in Japan due to a shortage of replacement parts.
Initially launched in 2012, the Wii U struggled in the market and was overshadowed by its successor, the Nintendo Switch, released in 2017. Despite its innovative design, including a unique GamePad controller, the Wii U failed to achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, the Wii.
Last year, Nintendo had already indicated that repairs for the Wii U would cease once the existing stock of parts was depleted.
As of July 3, 2024, Nintendo confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that it had exhausted these parts, marking the official end of support for the console and its peripherals.
修理に必要な部品の在庫がなくなりましたので、2024年7月3日をもって、Wii U本体および周辺機器の修理受付を終了いたしました。 https://t.co/pmexAcLr4J
— 任天堂サポート (@nintendo_cs) July 4, 2024
This decision affected only Japan, as repair services for the Wii U had already been discontinued in North America and other regions years earlier.
The cessation of repair services follows the shutdown of online servers for the Wii U and 3DS earlier this year, signaling the end of support for both systems.
It’s worth noting that the Wii U, despite its commercial failure, had some notable exclusive games, many of which have since been ported to the Switch. However, several titles remain exclusive to the Wii U, with no announced plans for porting.
For example, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Nintendo Land are still stuck on the Wii U, leaving fans hoping for future ports.
Overall, the Wii U sold around 13 million units and achieved over 100 million software sales during its lifespan. Still, its legacy remains marred by poor market performance and limited public awareness.
In other Nintendo news, Frontier Developments recently announced that F1 Manager 24 will debut on the Switch on July 23.