edit: reading comp. fail
To sum it up, Nintendo always fux up somewhere, no matter what, ever since N64. With N64, they were late (could have sold alongside snes, a 1990 release) and came out with cartridge instead of disc. I think it was a big deal at that time, b/c most of the 32 bit console makers were more "futuristic" being disc based http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_game_consoles_(fifth_generation) yet Nintendo stayed old school. It was a big turn off to the Nintendo fans that got older, so most naturally moved to the "cooler" playstation.
Gamecube, you cant promote a purple fuckin lunchbox. yes I know they had black as well, but purple was the face, it was more promoted. It was deemed "Barneycube" by my peers, and I still have those scars from being teased lol. It was a beast console, but never taken seriously, and its their own fault again starting from N64 (some argue SNES with the 1st mortal kombat game lacking blood).
On wii U, they had a chance to capitalize on their Wii popularity/weakened sony and could have gone toe to toe with microsoft as the ultimate home entertainment solution for the next gen, but again failed by not delivering on the power. That is not catering to hardcore, the whole basis of their stance. Nintendo is just serving themselves by finally going hd, and as a fan I've come to accept that, but Nintendo also has to accept that they won't get all my money, M$ is going to as well (fuck sony).
Essay Pro