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UK's second-biggest supermarket stops stocking Wii U

Wal-Mart subsidiary Asda confirms that it is not stocking the Wii U in any of its 555 retail stores across the UK.

1510 Comments

UK supermarket giant Asda, a subsidiary of US retailer Wal-Mart, is no longer stocking Nintendo's Wii U console at any of its 555 retail stores across the country.

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The retailer says it will continue to stock selected Wii U titles through its online store, however. "Asda continues to offer customers a selection of Wii U games and accessories through Asda Direct, but these ranges are currently not on offer in Asda shops," said a spokesperson for the supermarket to CVG.

"Asda will stock [Wii U] games on a title-by-title merit basis as they come along through Asda Direct. We will continue to support Nintendo as a format holder partner," concluded the UK's second-biggest supermarket.

Speaking to MCV, Asda says that it only ever offered the Wii U in 100 stores, but that it is removing the console from stores to make way for more successful hardware, including the 3DS.

Furthermore, Asda said that it will continue stocking the Wii U online but is currently out of stock due to a recent sale on the hardware. In previous months, Asda has repeatedly slashed the prices of 3DS hardware to shift stock. The retailer is still accepting preorders for Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4, both of which are due to launch later this year.

Nintendo refused to comment on the situation, but said it was "looking forward" to the Wii U's year ahead.

"Nintendo UK does not comment on specific business practices with individual retailers. However, as we have seen with Nintendo 3DS, software sells hardware, and with titles such as Wonderful 101, Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Super Mario 3D World already announced for this year as well as the recently released Pikmin 3 and New Super Luigi U having reached number 2 and number 6 in this week's chart respectively, we are looking forward to the year ahead on Wii U."

A report from early July stated that specialist US retailer GameStop was also gearing up to discontinue stocking the Wii U Basic.

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abHS4L88

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While this is bad news, I'm sure people will be acting like ASDA will never restock the system again. Most definitely when the sales pick up, they're resume restocking the system.

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HAMMERCLAW

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Edited By HAMMERCLAW

@abHS4L88 What sales pick up?. When they've emptied their current inventory of games and periperals, It will be online sales, only. Wii U=EPIC FAIL. Hanging onto the Wii name, instead of giving the console it's own name and promoting it for it's own merits was a mistake. Half of those "casual" gamers they were so proud of think the Wii U is just an add-on to the original Wii.

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abHS4L88

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@HAMMERCLAW

Someone's lacking in the reading comprehension area. Like I said, sales are bad right now, so ASDA's reacting accordingly, but the holiday plus early 2014 line up for the system is undoubtedly strong and that's most likely when Nintendo will kick up marketing.

The 3DS suffered from a similar situation when it came out (I seriously didn't realize it was the next gen DS, just thought it was a DS with a 3D feature), and now look at it.

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abHS4L88

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@Jestersmiles @HAMMERCLAW

I love how you guys always come up with your own set of rules when it comes to the gaming industry.

Regardless of the 3DS being a handheld (which the Vita is VERY much a competitor of the 3DS, just like how the PSP was a competitor of the DS), the Wii U is in competition currently with the 360/PS3 and will be against the PS4/XBox1 when they come out.

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Jestersmiles

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@abHS4L88 @HAMMERCLAW

3ds has no competition. Stop comparing the Handled market with the console one.

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steve4123456789

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@abHS4L88 If they ever lmao. The Wii U is a flop in the UK.

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

>.> So it's doing badly right now, like I said, that could change in the coming months especially since proven system sellers are coming to the system soon. If by next year the system still hasn't taken off in the UK, then you can truly call it a flop.

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

I already have one and I love it, while it's lacking compelling software right now, it's an amazing console that's tons of fun to play with friends and last I checked, gaming is about F-U-N and that's the main reason why I game (among many other things).

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

Yet you talked about "new" stuff that Nintendo's coming out with so what is it? Do they have "nothing new" or "just not what you want?" They tried something different this year, which worked in some ways but was also detrimental in other ways.

Also considering the state the Wii U is in, the line of games they showcased made absolute sense, bring out the titles that'll definitely get sales going along with a couple of unique experiences to sweeten the deal. Expect next E3, when the Wii U will have a large user base, to bring out those "new and unexpected" titles.

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

Oh, I know what they offered, same way I know what Nintendo's system sellers offers.

Same here, I have just as much a problem with Nintendo fanboys (who support Nintendo's biggest franchises yet ignores their smaller ones) as I do with fanboys of anyone else, BUT you don't speak the truth, you just speak your opinion, which is definitely true for you, but not fact.

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steve4123456789

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@abHS4L88

You finished lol? Anytime bro. Let me know when you feel like imbracing wii u, and i'll remind you again why it's piece of shit if i'm around.

Kind regards

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steve4123456789

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I say that they offer nothing new is because at E3 the basicially showed what was expected nothing new like they don't give a shit. They even bottled out of a press conference.

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steve4123456789

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Edited By steve4123456789

Mario on NES was the first polished 2d platformer. That revolutionised games into a more tradional level based system, plot and adventure. As opposed to arcade style atari games that were point based at the time in the mid 80s.

Zelda, and mario on N64 showed for the first time what 3d could do.

Final fantasy 7 was the first 3d rpg probably, revolutioned the genre for better or worse. And made it "cool" to play jrpgs before it was cool.

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steve4123456789

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Edited By steve4123456789

You seem to be missing what these games I mentioned offered tottally?

I alreadty said I don't give a shit for byism I speak the truth if you like it or not.

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Avatar image for abHS4L88
abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

You act like it will never offer anything new, and it has, although it's just not getting enough compelling content.

Tell me, what "new" things are Sony and Microsoft offering?

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

And look, almost NONE of those games that were listed were "original" titles.

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steve4123456789

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The point is they offered something new Wii U has offered nothing new, and people are waking up.

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

I always find it funny when people like you make that statement, yet it's quite evident to anyone who's played multiple entries of Nintendo's long running franchises that it's not "the same game." It was only with the New Super Mario Bros franchise that the actual criticism for "being too much like the previous games" actually started holding merit, but it's still only within that series of Mario titles that that complaint is being made.

Plus Call of Duty (as much as people LOVE to hate on it) proves that as long as it's well made and has the right appeal, people don't give a damn if it's "the same game."

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steve4123456789

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@abHS4L88 @steve4123456789 Whatever some examples of what it took.

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

So was Super Mario 64 and Super Smash Brothers.

Uncharted 2 & 3, KillZone 3, Gran Turismo 5 and Little Big Planet for the PS3.

You're forgetting Forza and Gears of War for the 360.

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steve4123456789

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You can only sell the same game so many times before people get fed up.

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steve4123456789

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@abHS4L88 @steve4123456789

Zelda: OOT, Golden eye 007= N64.

Final fantasy 7 (first 3d rpg) =PS1

Metal gear solid 4 = PS3

Halo = Xbox

mario = NES

Virtua fighter = SATURN

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abHS4L88

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@steve4123456789

No, system sellers, a 3D Mario is a proven system seller, same with Smash Brothers and MarioKart. Just because they're "nothing original" doesn't mean they're not system sellers. PLEASE list me a single proven system seller that's a completely original title. You can't because it doesn't work that way. What are Sony and Microsoft's system sellers? Also titles that are pretty unoriginal.

What you're thinking about are games that'll most definitely help in making the system more appealing, but it's been proven time after time that the games I listed generate sales spikes.

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steve4123456789

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@abHS4L88 @steve4123456789 Wouldn't say system sellers really pushing it there. Pretty much nothing original except these unamed jrpgs, and that unamed new 1st party nintendo title by the makers of zelda. These games better materialise soon. The game is sliping away slowly.

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wcwj26

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@steve4123456789 So was the PS3 for 2 years, and the 3DS.....hoo hum

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steve4123456789

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@wcwj26 USA dude ranch doesnt count as the rest of the world.

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Shenmue_Jehuty

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I am rooting for the Wii U, I really hope 2014 is the year we remember as the year the Wii U took off.

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Papparazzi2233

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Super smash bros and Zelda Wii U will save the Wii U.

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Batosai001

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wait i have to pay extra for the damn expansion packs? Why did i buy a season pass then? I'm done


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Dragon_Nexus

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@Batosai001 Did you not...read the description on the season pass before buying it?

It doesn't gaurentee you all packs forever.

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yavix

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Edited By yavix

@Batosai001 Wrong article.

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Papparazzi2233

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What....Are.....You......Talking.......About......

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Batosai001

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@Papparazzi2233 Watch the video I was talking about the Borderlands DLC

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Papparazzi2233

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Wrong article

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wcwj26

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The majority of major high street retailers here in the UK don't stock Wii U at the moment, so this is no suprise. But come 2014 when the big hitters start landing, Asda will undoubtedly start selling Wii U again.

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yavix

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Edited By yavix

@wcwj26 They're still selling it online.

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wcwj26

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@yavix I did say high street.

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eatdogcrap

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hey can someone help me out a sec. I keep on posting on gamespot with my other account. Apparently no one can see my post but only me. So does gamespot block users from posting?

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mruizinho

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@eatdogcrap Dont know, but whats the point of having a second account? Trolling? Maybe multiples votes on AC 4 and asking people to vote it?

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eatdogcrap

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@mruizinho @eatdogcrap that is exactly right. I only need one account as you already thought. But no one can see my post from my other account but only me. I'm being invisible to everyone and feel ignored.

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mruizinho

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@eatdogcrap @mruizinho Ah k sry my bad.

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yavix

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@eatdogcrap Depends....

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eatdogcrap

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@yavix So more then likely my account was banned from the public eyes. I was just an invisible person posting to gamespot for ghost read.
God damn. Now I have made another account that way people can see what I am writing and thoughs.

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eatdogcrap

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@yavix yavix... I understan now.. thanks.. I'm going to go create another account. because there are speculation regards to my username hahahha.

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yavix

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Edited By yavix

@eatdogcrap @yavix Sorry I was messing with you, but sounds like you were blocked. Possibly you said something and someone flagged you.

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WTF1555

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@eatdogcrap @yavix LAG

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Papparazzi2233

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Edited By Papparazzi2233

Tenth generation consoles will be floating polygons with digital software.

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dummpymonkey123

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@Papparazzi2233 no it will be digital hardware and virtual software lol

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Papparazzi2233

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Still sucks

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GOGOHeadray

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@Papparazzi2233 look for occulus rift to see the future of gaming.

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Papparazzi2233

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Virtual reality sucks.

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eatdogcrap

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@GOGOHeadray @Papparazzi2233 but is occuluss rift still a console?

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Mugzippit

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@Papparazzi2233 The controller is a helmet you plug that wires the game directly into your brain!

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dummpymonkey123

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I'm not saying Nintendo shouldn't step up the graphics because they really should but I am acknowledging Nintendo as that class room kids who mucks up every assignment in a creative way that makes you go .... he's a genius in his own way unlike regular boring straight A students Sony and Microscam

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zintarr

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@Roccoroll Count to 10 really slow...then take a very deep breath...

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dummpymonkey123

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The Xbox2 and PS5 will have 2013 tech in it and all the fan boys in 2019 will be like it looks so real lol

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GOGOHeadray

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@dummpymonkey123 Console gamers only care about other consoles not PCs; also you are the one to talk considering you are defending nintendo.

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dummpymonkey123

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Edited By dummpymonkey123

@GOGOHeadray @dummpymonkey123 I'm not defending Nintendo if that's you took it then I apologize let me clarify I'm defending any substantial idea that successfully evolves the way we experience our games I'd defend the Xbox Kinect or mobile gaming that uses motion tech but I refuse to defend Leaders in the gaming market following (FAR FAR FAR BEHIND) a trend of lets make it look slightly better and slap a next gen sticker on it so ask yourself do you really care about console gaming or graphics

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