Gaming retailer GameStop has asked its stores to return all the new and unopened sets of Nintendo's 8GB Wii U Basic by May 18.

The move from GameStop has come just a week before the E3 gaming expo is going to kick off in Los Angeles.

GameStop has sent a message to its all the stores giving them two weeks preparation time before the final recall date.

"Nintendo Wii U Basic Recall - Two Week Preparation On Tuesday, 6/18, all stores will need to return all new/unopened Wii U Basic (020359). .. Stores that have 10 or more in stock will receive shipping cartons from the [distribution center]. .. All other stores will need to save shipping cartons for this recall," Kotaku reported, quoting one of its sources in GameStop retail stores.

As the final 'recall' date is falling just a week after the E3 expo's last day, it is being assume that the recall is not because of some hardware related issues. Product reshuffle and price change of the 32GB version of Wii U Basic are being seen as the main reasons behind the move.

It's not only Kotaku who got the information of the recall of 8GB sets of Wii U Basic from GameStop stores. CNET also confirmed the news after contacting various GameStop retail stores.

"CNET on Wednesday called several GameStop stores to confirm the Kotaku report. All of those stores confirmed that the corporate office had initiated a recall, but they weren't sure why. The message GameStop corporate sent to stores also has not indicated why there has been a need for a recall," CNET reported.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has denied the reports of the recall and stated that the company is working with its retailers to rebalance the stock of the two Wii U versions.

"There is a current misperception about Wii U hardware. To clarify: Nintendo is working with its retail partners to simply rebalance the stock of the White 8GB and the Black 32GB Wii U models in the market. Consumers looking for either model will continue to find them available," Nintendo of America director of corporate communications Charlie Scibetta said in a statement to media.

Whatever reason Nintendo gives for GameStop's move, it looks pretty clear that the gaming retailer is in no mood to carry the 8GB Wii U Basic any more as it has 'recalled' all the unsold and packed sets.

We will get a clearer view on this issue during the E3 expo where Nintendo is going to make some big announcements. The E3 expo will take place in Los Angeles from June 11 to June 13.