The Gamecube launched at $199. By this time in its life it was $149 and its (notable exclusive) software linep already consisted of Smash Bros, Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin, Rogue Leader, Waverace, Luigi's Mansion, Resident Evil Remake, Eternal Darkness, Starfox Adventures and Animal Crossing. Wind Waker was about a month away from release and by the end of this year aligned, the Cube would have Mario Kart, F-Zero, and retail for $99.
It was an injustice that the Gamecube didn't sell better. The PS2 already had a commanding lead and was the darling of the industry before Nintendo and Microsoft's offerings even arrived.
WiiU launched at $349 ($299 basic) and is now $299 flat. Its (notable exclusive) software lineup consists of NSMBU, Luigi U, Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, Nintendoland, Wii Party U, Wii Fit U, Lego City and soon to be Donkey Kong. Wind Waker HD is fantastic, but just a port (not a full remake like RE on the Cube), Wii Sports Club is a pretty gimped cash-in and Wonderful 101 was sent out to die.
WiiU hasn't even had close to the performance from a quality standpoint that the Cube did by this point - and at a much higher price point to boot. It has some fine games, but making direct comparisons is flawed because WiiU still has big cards to play and big price drops to come. That is, if Nintendo gets their sh!t together and does something about it.
Let's get down to brass tacks. Nintendo needs to release an SKU without the Gamepad. It sucks that it has come to this, but a $199 WiiU w/Wiimote & nunchuck would provide way more positives than negatives at this point. I love the GP and I'm glad I have one, but Ninty did nothing to make it an industry standard and now they have to adapt. A $199 WiiU with games on the way like MK, Smash, probably Wii Sports 3, Animal Crossing, Metroid, Starfox, F-Zero, Mario Party and eventually Zelda U (throw in games like Bayo 2, X and Yoshi) would indeed go on to outsell the Cube, IMO. Nintendo fans holding out would jump in instantly and WiiU's "second system" status would rise immensely for many other gamers.
