I think Nintendo should've dropped the Wii name from its next-gen console because amongst people I know there are a lot of sour feelings associated with the Wii due to many seeing it as being 'gimmicky' and people buying them for Christmas, playing them for a few hours, and then never playing them again. Due to this, I think they should've reinvented their brand like they did with the Wii (going from GameCube --> Wii), and there would be none of the negative feelings associated with the Wii brand being carried on to the next-gen. I know many of you will be thinking "why would they drop the Wii from the title? Its an established brand with a loyal following FOR FUCK SAKE!!!", but I think only established Nintendo fans will make the move from Wii-->Wii U and casuals won't because they may have a sour taste in their mouth about the Wii (like lots of people I know). Besides, i'm sure any Nintendo fan worth his salt would know that a new console which didnt have 'Wii' in the title was still Nintendos next-gen console.

In conclusion, dropping Wii from the title would have a positive effect on the next-gen Nintendo consoles sales because hardcore Nintendo fans would still know its a sequel console to the Wii, and casuals wouldn't be put off by the inclusion of 'Wii' in the title. What do you think?

I think the people who have a negative association are the core gamers who won't buy WiiU regardless of what it's called because it's not (significantly) more powerful than their current HD console and has another 'gimmicky' controller.

Casuals have no negative association from all the non-gaming people I know who own a Wii. Many are using it for Just Dance right now. Many may no longer use it, but it doesn't mean they regret purchasing it. They had fun and that's a good association. Just because 'core' gamers expect five years of enjoyment from their purchase doesn't mean the casual audience ever had that expectation.

However, I do think WiiU is a dumb and non-productive name (it doesn't effectively transmit the ideas Nintendo wants to convey) and may make many think it's another accessory for Wii instead of a new system.

No because Wii brand sell a lot of software. Or at least that's what latest theories says...

Generally I figure that as a normal person who has no training in those fields, Nintendo's professionals know more about branding and marketing products than me, and they know WAY more about designing video games than me. So when I see something I don't like, I try to keep my mouth shut and see how it works out. This means I don't get to say "I told you so" when something fails, but at those times I don't really feel like saying that, anyway.

In short, I'm "meh" on the Wii U name. Doesn't affect how much I want the console. Going to wait and see how it pans out for Nintendo.

It's either going to work wonderfully (i.e. the casuals will buy it because it's still called "Wii" and fans of the HD twins may buy it because of Nintendo first party + third party support) or it'll work horribly (i.e. the casuals confuse it with the current Wii and fans of the HD twins who felt burnt by the Wii are put off by it because of the name).

I wouldn't have named it Wii-U, but I'm not Nintendo/an analyst/a product marketer, so idk.

Should apple have dropped the "i" monicker because the iMac sucked? No, they were still building the brand, just as Nintendo is still building the Wii brand.

I agree with this to an extent, however although they had fun for awhile, that doesnt mean they will jump in. They might remember they had Wii and used it for a little while and got maybe three games. Then they might figure why get a Wii U if they know they wont use it as much, im not saying this will happen but it might.

Time will tell...

Yoo

Hey, wanna come over to my house and play yoo?

Play me? What?

No, not you, yoo!

What about me?

Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?