I think Nintendo is in exceptional shape for many reasons.
I think the WiiU will be a success because:
1. They launched 1st.
2. Their previous system was the market leader...nearly 100 million homes are used to wii.
3. The wii established a mainstream presence.
4. The wiiU has two mainstream hooks: a tablet and a great video on demand interface.
5. Nintendo's massive software library (increasingly important with few 3rd party exclusives).
6. It's powerful enough.
7. It will likely dominate Japan.
8. The DS and 3DS are feeding it lots of young indoctrinated young fans.
9. Nintendo has a large, rabid fan base.
10. It's a good, fun to use system.
11. Nintendo is good at making games that appeal to the mainstream.
12. They have billions in cash reserves.
13. Chicks dig it.
14. It will be the cheapest.
Reasons 1 and 14 being very important. Those together with Nintendo's software will make the system thrive. The likely 10 million install base edge it will have over newer systems will likely ensure multi-plat support, not unlike how Square pretty much had to put FFXIII on Xbox because the PS3 audience wasn't big enough. They have the cash to take steps necessary if problems arise, such as buying exclusives, studios, price cuts or extra marketing. They can do what's necessary to gain market share if they need to.
The 3DS is a given. It's a massive success and now making money. It's sales rate in the US could be bigger, but its main competitor is actually the DS. As the DS software dries up you will see those sales shift to the new model. I would expect 2013 to be a very successful year for Nintendo.
