:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14323497/madden-13-wii-u.1419979517.jpg)
One of video gaming's most popular and ubiquitous franchises is set to skip a Nintendo home console for the first time in over two decades. Despite a Wii U release for Madden NFL 2013 last year, EA Sports' upcoming Madden NFL 25 will not be making an appearance on Nintendo's latest console, according to a company representative who spoke to Nintendo World Report.
"We will not be releasing a Wii U version of Madden NFL in 2013. However, we have a strong partnership with Nintendo and will continue to evaluate opportunities for delivering additional Madden NFL products for Nintendo fans in the future."
While EA is leaving the door open for future Madden games on Nintendo hardware, the decision raises further questions about the Wii U's ability to attract third-party developers. EA controversially refused to publish software for Sega's ill-fated Dreamcast throughout its lifecycle, and while it's too early to tell whether the company will continue to shut the Wii U out in the long term, the apparent loss of such a major series has to be seen as further bad news for Nintendo.
