TOKYO — Nintendo is ending sales in Japan of its Wii U home console “soon,” although it’s not saying exactly when, and similar announcements are expected in other regions.

The Wii U, which went on sale from late 2012, is being replaced by Switch, set to go on sale globally in March 2017.

The Japanese video game manufacturer behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises has already shipped Wii U machines for U.S. sales through March.

Nintendo has scored success with the remake of its 1980s FamiCom machine, called NES Classic Edition, which goes on sale today in the U.S. for $59.99.