Why WiiU is the only viable strategy for Nintendo

[F0X]

I agree that from a hardware standpoint, Wii U makes more sense than some people's ideas (not saying names here).

What I'm not sold on is the current software and marketing strategy. Nintendo has utterly failed to even distinguish the Wii U from its predecessor, perhaps because there was absolutely no marketing focus put on high-definition graphics or the myriad of other things the Wii could never do. Just the controller. As if the new product was the control, not a new system itself. Granted, this worked for the Wii because it introduced an entire new brand. Nobody was going to confuse Wii with GameCube.

As for software, Nintendo should've had more content ready. Especially more casual fare (wouldn't that be quicker and easier to develop?). It would be unreasonable to expect many AAA releases from Nintendo early on, going by their track record. Launch is a good time to release a bevy on smaller interesting titles along with a heavy-hitter or two. Heck, from this perspective, the Vita launch had better/smarter first-party support. Taking away the many late ports the Wii U has gotten in its launch window, the situation is pretty dire in most respects. The only bright-ish spot now is the eShop, which already has a handful worthwhile titles, some of which from studios that have never even touched a Nintendo platform before (Double Fine, Frozenbyte, ect.). And we have Shovel Knight to look forward too. :)