Smash 4 sales might be doing good, but it might not boost 
console sales as much as people would expect.  Why?
Because you dont need to buy the game and console to enjoy it, you
can just go visit your "Nintendo" friend.

In order to really enjoy single player games you need to buy your own console;
so do you think that by selling multiplayer focused games Nintendo
is actually shooting themselves in the foot?

Uhmmm, no, not really.
There's still enough single-player content and not everyone wants to go to a friend's house every time they want to play Smash.

QTF

I ain't leaving my house just to play a game......well......not as much as I'd want to play it atleast.

by the way, sig, middle loli with flapping ears, what anime?

It's Konata with dyed hair. Nah, that's just what I want people to think she is.

http://myanimelist.net/character/55839/Tsumiki_Miniwa This is who she really is

Good point
But theres so many factors that can be discuss in here, like
how far does your 'nintendo friend' live?
is he/she always free?
Do you have many brothers/sisters or people living in your house that wants to play smash?

Online = 1 player (or 2). Not everybody going to be playing 8 players, though they should!

Anyone who doesn't buy Smash supports terrorism

I see no way it could hurt sales. The only time I'm satisfied only being able to play a game at a friend's place is when it's a game I don't care too much about, or when it's a 10 hour or less single player game

WTF, you have my surname. D:

I think is a very good logic, and is one commonly used in the political campaigns of the USA, at least he can pass a bill or 2 using it.

OT: I think the FOCUS on publicity for 8 player couch game INSTEAD of online multiplayer can hurt a little, not too much just a little.