Another added benefit of stopping production is that you get to let component prices drop a bit. I'm sure Nintendo made a lot of Cubes because its cheaper to manufacture larger quantities. On top of that, labor costs are being deffered until this spring when production begins again. There are many added benefits that don't seem apparent. This may in fact be why Nintendo made the press announcement to begin with. Smart investors read between the lines.
I am looking forward to Conker's Bad Fur Day online, and their MMOG should be fun. It's this latter game why Rare wanted to move on. Besides, Nintendo got Zoonami, and its the people that make games, not franchises.
(Going off topic)
For a laugh, check out
www.shonner.com Their subliminal section is hi-larious.