Dependent on how quickly Nintendo get big games out next year, I think their ability to turn around Wii U will help to define how long 3DS is on the market.
In the scenario that Nintendo can't do much to turn Wii U around, and can't get big games out quickly enough next year, I expect Wii U to top out in the 18 to 25 million range, and 3DS to top out in the 75 to 85 million range. That's because Nintendo's resources (far from infinite and taxed enormously during this recent transition) will be pushed into finding a new way forward for their hardware business, and resources will prematurely be pulled away from 3DS in order to usher in new hardware so that Nintendo can move on more quickly from Wii U.
If Kart and Smash Brothers are out quickly (within the first six months of next year) and peform strongly, and this is matched by Nintendo's ability to regularly provide strong software, then I think Wii U could go as high as 40 to 50 million. In this scenario, with Wii U providing more stable revenue and profit, I don't think Nintendo will feel as heavily pressured to move on, and 3DS will be supported for longer, leading to lifetime sales in the 95 to 115 million range.
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