Wii U does give the average consumer the impression that its just some type of Add-on for the Wii. Nintendo had the chance to change the name at E3 2012 and they did not. likely too late to change names now.
This confusion will likely be a problem in the beginning when pitching it to consumers. A very concise advertising campaign in the months to come should help some with this, but no doubt there will still be some confusion surrounding its first few months of release.







