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Aielyn on 07 June 2012
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I actually think there's another element to why the show was "lacklustre".

There's one important element of the Wii U that hasn't even been touched on by Nintendo, yet. The games practically guaranteed to be on the Wii U (like Black Ops II) and the announced ones that got left out (like Ghost Recon Online) are all titles that make extensive use of this important element. In fact, one of the two games I just mentioned has the key word in its title.

That's right: Online. Specifically, how Nintendo Network is going to work in terms of online multiplayer and related features. Note that they also didn't really talk about anything to do with eShop (barring a trailer for Trine 2, or whatever it's called). The only part of Nintendo Network that they spoke about was the messaging system (including in-game messaging, like in NSMBU, and video chat).

While I do think they're keeping all of their significant announcements for closer to release, only revealing certain titles to get interest in the Wii U simmering, I also think they've had to delay some of the reveals in order to finalise their Nintendo Network implementations.

This would be why EA said that they'll be talking about Madden 13 and Fifa 13 Wii U later this "Summer", and why Activision hinted at Black Ops II being on the system, but said they weren't announcing anything yet. It would be why online play for ZombiU and Mass Effect 3 haven't been discussed, and why it took extra questions to even be certain that Friend Codes are no more.

I'm expecting an August Nintendo Direct (probably a July one as well, but that will probably focus on 3DS - covering things like Animal Crossing 3DS), during which Nintendo does the following: announce more Wii U titles, specifically the ones with online; announce an American tour to begin in September or early October; provide the official Wii U release date and price; and discussing their online system in more detail.

This is likely to be followed by their Fall Conference in September, not long before TGS, at which they will probably show off some of the titles releasing in early 2013 (both Wii U and 3DS).