The current Wii console is to be phased out in Europe, Nintendo has told Eurogamer. It will be replaced by the just-announced new Wii design.

"In Europe we will focus on the new Wii Bundle/s going forward," Nintendo confirmed.

The company has announced it will launch the new model in time for Christmas. It comes with Wii Sports and Wii Party packed-in.

Notably, the new Wii lacks backwards compatibilty. Also, support for GameCube games and controllers has been axed in favour of a new, smaller unit.

European gamers without a Wii who still have a library of GameCube titles will need to buy one before Christmas.