How long has the Wii been discontinued?

How Long Has the Wii Been Discontinued?

Released in 2006, the Nintendo Wii was a groundbreaking console that revolutionized the gaming industry with its innovative motion controls and affordability. But, like all consoles, its lifespan had to come to an end. So, how long has the Wii been discontinued?

Short Answer

The original Wii and Wii Family Edition were discontinued on October 21, 2013, after a successful run of over 7 years in the market. The Wii Mini, a more stripped-down version of the Wii, continued to be sold until November 13, 2017, in the North American market.

Long Answer

The Wii was first launched in November 2006 and quickly gained popularity worldwide due to its unique game controllers and family-friendly nature. It was a console that appealed to a broad audience, from casual gamers to hardcore enthusiasts. Over 101 million Wii units were sold worldwide during its lifespan, making it one of the best-selling consoles of all time.

As the years passed, the Wii’s hardware began to show its age. Nintendo released the Wii U in 2012, which offered improved graphics and a new controller. Although the Wii U wasn’t a massive success, it marked the beginning of the end for the original Wii. In June 2013, Nintendo shut down the Wii Connect24 service and several Wii channels, signaling the transition to newer consoles.

In October 2013, Nintendo officially discontinued production of the original Wii and Wii Family Edition, announcing that it would focus on its newer consoles, the Wii U and the soon-to-be-released Switch. The Wii U had sold around 40 million units by the time it was discontinued, far behind the Wii’s record sales.

The Wii Mini, a more basic and compact version of the Wii, was released in 2013 for the Canadian and European markets. Although it didn’t have online multiplayer capabilities, it was more affordable than the Wii Family Edition. The Wii Mini continued to be sold until November 2017 in the North American market.

Comparison to Other Consoles

For reference, here’s a comparison of the Wii’s discontinuation timeline with its closest competitors:

As you can see, the Wii was among the first consoles to be discontinued, with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 following suit a few years later.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the original Wii and Wii Family Edition were discontinued on October 21, 2013, while the Wii Mini continued to be sold until November 13, 2017. The Wii’s success paved the way for future Nintendo consoles, including the Wii U and Switch, which have carried the torch forward. The Wii may be gone, but its legacy lives on as one of the most iconic and influential consoles of all time.