I can't help but look at the Wii U's 2015 software line up and say "This is why Wii U exists".  The games that have come out and are coming this year, these are the titles that truly make Wii U different from Wii, and different from other systems available.  They are fresh, well-executed and fun.  They are everything the launch Wii U titles  were not.

Now we all know and have various opinions on the other flaws of Wii U.  From the Gamepad size, to the lack of power, to the PowerPC architecture, to the name and everything else, Wii U has many flaws.  But imagine if it launched, as-is, but with:

1. Splatoon.  The dual-analogue Nintendo take a shooter that everyone was waiting for.  It's fresh - adding platforming elements to a shooter - and family friendly. It's also become a major hit in Japan like Wii Sports before it.  A new IP which emphaises Wii U's second analogue inclusion and online elements, clearly demonstrating a difference from Wii.

2. Super Mario Maker.  Unlike the derivative NSMBU, SMM is a fresh take on 2D Mario.  It also adds in some elements from the massively successful Minecraft, and most importantly, it is the one game that demonstrates that the Gamepad can be actually useful and enjoyable rather than an overhead map.  This is the "Gamepad game" that should have been there from launch, and I think it has the potential to be a massive hit.  It's also a game that long time Mario fans have dreamed about, the chance to make their own Mario levels.

3. Xenoblade Chronicles X.  For the core gamer, a massive, mature harcore JRPG with beautiful visuals and sound.  Nothing all that original here, but a great execution of a classic core-focused genre.  A great indication to core gamers that ditched their Wii that Nintendo wants them back.

To me, these three games - A fresh IP Nintendo entry in today's most popular genre, a game that can only be done in this way on Wii U using Nintendo's biggest old IP, and a classic core RPG - would have made an intriguing launch lineup for Wii U.  Core and casuals alike would have been interested to try the new titles and experience making Mario levels on the Gamepad.  I think it would have changed history.

You?

I think 2015 has been the worst year for the Wii U, so I think it wouldn't have been much better.

EDIT: Oh. Launch. Like day one? Yeah, that would have never happened. You could ask that of any random three games.

Obviously it never happened.  The question is, what if it did?  The point is that the launch software for Wii U did nothing to explain why Wii U was of any value.  The 2015 software does a much better job of that.  So if instead of making NSMBU, what if they worked on SMM instead?  What if the Nintendoland and Pikmin resources made sure that Splatoon was ready for launch?

You might as well just put Kart and Smash. Those are their two biggest hitters.  Your list would have been good for 2013.

Kart and Smash were both on Wii.  They don't do it.  They are derivative, which Wii U could not afford to be.

Splatoon is a shooter, a game where many like a dual analogue system, which Wii U has and Wii didn't.

SMM is the game that uses the second screen in a fun way.  This can only be done on Wii U.  It makes it stand out from other systems.  It's also a life long dream for many gamers, the ability to make Mario levels.

Both of these games - and XCX - have the ability to appeal beyond Nintendo fans, especially the "lapsed" Nintendo fans that like the games but spend most of their gaming time elsewhere presently.

Would made things much much worse.
Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are much bigger than Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Super Mario Maker.
And hardware would be even more old than in 2012...

wii u would kick ass

I don't think the launch lineup was one of WiiU's biggest problems. Maybe Spaltoon and SMM would have made a small difference. but the name and marketing still remain the system's biggest problems.

It would have been the same.

Its not about the games, its Nintendo.

People dont want to buy Nintendo consoles.

You seem confused. The system didn't launch with Kart or Smash, and I didn't say the system launched in 2015. It still launches in '12, but they make the '15 games instead of the other launch titles.