Your 100% spot on. The issue is that Japan + Europe = NA, or very close, for most major systems. For the N64 and GC, 66% of Nintendo's sales came in America. The thing I've noticed with Nintendo, as you've stated, is that they are really trying to win the US by shipping more and more consoles to the US versus the already-won Japan (which isnt ultra-bright, as you might as well try to totally kill the PS3 while your at it). The major selling point of the US is the software tier ratios. They are about 50% better than Japan's, and the software is more accessable. In Japan, 3rd party games are doing good at 50k, in the US, they're doing good at 500k. Also, the US enjoys a tier ratio nearing 4.0 units per system versus Japan's 2.1 or so (yes, the 4 includes Wii Sports, but even w/o, it's still 50% higher). Not only this, but the US Dollar is weakening vs. the Yen, therefore, shipping the units to the US becomes a cheaper venture, which can afford Nintendo better advantages in dominating the market.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
