Wii U: If You'd Designed the Wii U, How Would You Make it More Appealing as a system/SKU?

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Mythmaker1 said:

The Wii U is in a tough situation right now, and most would agree that it's a lack of quality games currently available. While I'd say this is definitely true, if the Wii demonstrated anything it's that a system can be made compelling out of the box. By contrast, when I bought an Xbox 360 years back, it was to play other games than what came in the box (Marvel Ultimate Alliance).

The question, then, is if you'd been given the choice, what changes would have made the Wii U more appealing in-box? Assuming the same games available at launch, and the same level of marketing, would you have cut the power to offer it at a lower price, or increased the power and sold it at a higher price? Ditch the GamePad, make it optional, or double-down with an even better screen? Change the design of the casing, or the controller, the box, or even the name?

Or if you think the console itself is fine, would you have changed the SKU's? Different games bundled-in, or other models besides the Basic and Deluxe?

The Wii in and of itself wasn't compelling, it was only compelling because it was packed-in with Wii Sports.  The Wii Remote was great and all, but there was nothing to be done with it except sit and look at it, without software that utilized it's unique functions.   Without software, hardware is merely an expensive paper weight.  The same applies to PS Vita and why it's not selling well.  By all accounts, PS Vita is an impressive device with many good features, but there is no function to those features without software to utilize it.  Wii U needs something like Wii Sports to demonstrate it's unique appeal and why people need to own one.  In that regard, it's no different.

So, I would say that there is nothing to be done with the Wii U itself that would substantially change it's appeal and make it successful long-term, it's just that it needs unique software so people have a reason to use it.   You can cut price or re-brand, or re-package SKUs all you want... but none of that will make any difference long-term without the games to back it up.