What strikes me as odd about this whole situation is that the previous FY prediction of 5 million (which got revised down to 4 million) wasn't even reached, and numerous "launch window" games were delayed. I wondered at the time whether this was so they could all come out in this current financial year to ensure that Wii-U reaches its sales targets this time around; but Iwata picked ludicrous targets from the get-go and refused to do anything about them.

But point being, all these delayed games haven't really done much for the console. Wonderful 101; Pikmin 3; Game & Wario did little bits here and there but nothing substantial. We'll have to see what Wii Fit U does, but I'm not expecting anything great.

It baffles me that they thought the games they'd gotten together were suitable for a first year lineup. Lots of minigame collections and entries in niche franchises; with two Mario platformers thrown in for good measure. And a complete lack of promotion for their other stuff, too (Sonic; Wonderful 101).

I was worried Sony were making the same mistakes, but with Uncharted coming before the end of 2014 at least they'll have gotten 3 of their major franchises out of the door in the first year; catering to somewhat different demographics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_TV_Game

there sure seems to be a shortage of buyers

Personally I thought it would do really well in Japan and atleast decently around the world ..

The Saturn probably sold less. Don't know about Dreamcast.

Yup, it is the worst performing mainstream console to date.

It will also only get worse (look at what every major economist has said) due to increased competition, greater expectation from the gamers, and loss of momentum (though could say it didn't really have any...).

You're probably too young to remember the Sega Saturn. That was brutal. 

PS1 wasn't out in US or EU until late 1995, doesn't count.

I don't have any numbers, but the fact that this is a Nintendo console, made by the industry's great survivor means that it's both shocking that a home console of their's could do so badly and reassuring because if any company can weather the failure, it's them

That said they could and should have done better - more games faster, better name, more dev-friendly architecture
This is what 4Bone have done and this is why they will absolutely smoke the WiiU I'm afraid...

sony ps1 have a worst scenario back on 1994-1996.

Japan only until Sep 9th 1995, who wouldn't have a bad scenario?