IMHO, the name Wii U is simply the single most largest element that is influencing public perception of Wii U as a simple controller add-on for Wii. There are loads of anecdotal evidence all over the net about consumer buying WiiU games just to ask the next day why doesn't it work on Wii, that the sales personell doesn't know that they are two different consoles and so on.
Nintendo shouldn't have gone with the Wii U for several reasons:
- perception of the mainstream customer that letter addition to name = simple revision, while numeral difference = real succesor
- U as a letter is a stupid addition to the name, some used conventions are "X" and "S"
- there were too many add-ons for Wii to consider the WiiU tablet controller the part of a new console
- Wii and WiiU share the similar looks
- Wii and WiiU share similar branding color scheme
- Wii and WiiU share same sound effects on video bumpers in commercials
- the U is made to look as a graphic icon and it is scaled down compared to letters "Wii"
So, it is establised that WiiU branding is a terrible and messy job. And it is more than evident on sales figures. So, why doesn't nintendo simply eat the humble pie and do a rebrand which would distance the new console further away from the Wii?
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