In The Yr 2023, One New Wii U Was Offered

The Wii U was actually not essentially the most profitable console Nintendo’s ever launched, and whereas some could fondly keep in mind it in 2023, at the very least one individual really purchased a model new Wii U from a retailer as if it was 2013 once more.

Launched in 2012, the Wii U was Nintendo’s comply with as much as its massively standard Wii console. Whereas the Wii would go on to turn out to be one of many best-selling online game consoles of all time, issues went a lot in a different way for the Wii U and its pill controller. The console by no means got here near promoting in addition to the Wii, and by 2017 Nintendo had moved on to the Swap, which might go on to outstrip the Wii U’s lifetime gross sales in its first yr. However we are able to now add another Wii U sale to its complete tally.

This odd stat comes from Mat Piscatella, government director at Circana (previously NPD) who posted on Twitter (X? No matter) that one (1) new Wii U was offered in the USA in September. In response to Piscatella, that is the primary time a brand new Wii U has been offered within the U.S. since Might 2022. Which can also be very unusual, now that I give it some thought.For these unaware, Circana tracks “individual store level sales data” to maintain tabs on what individuals are shopping for and promoting. They then promote that information to people who care. What that additionally means is that this Wii U wasn’t a used one at GameStop or one thing like that. This was a “new,” sealed Wii U console that was lastly offered a decade after launch.

How did this occur? We don’t know particularly, however as people who’ve labored retail at massive chains have defined within the feedback under Piscatella’s tweet, this isn’t that unusual. Chatting with some people I do know who’ve labored at shops like Walmart and Goal, outdated shit can get buried within the again. Or perhaps a Wii U had been sitting for the final decade on a retailer shelf in, like, Georgia or Montana and eventually, after a decade, somebody determined to purchase it and play some Tremendous Mario 3D World. I hope they take pleasure in it!

Additionally, Piscatella added that three new PS Vitas had been bought in November 2021. I’m glad these forgotten consoles, sealed up in bins and buried in storerooms or misplaced inside decrepit Greatest Buys, are discovering properties. Brings a tear to my eye.

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