I like to think that "save" means the console has become profitable. I have no idea how many consoles need to be sold (and software on top of that) to make the wii u profitable. Even if it does become profitable does it recoup the previous losses?? Saying that, I think the Wii U will be extremely unlikely to sell more than the GC.
To compare the DS and the 3DS slow start with the wii u is bad science. The DS's had no competition. A weak PSP and Vita is no real competition. The Wii U had the x360 and PS3, now throw in the PS4 and X1. Customers have a whole heap of choice.
The £99 GameCube didn't set the world alight. Why should a cheaper Wii U with much less support?
People believing MK8 and SSB will save the system are very likely those that believed that at least 15m out of the 100m that bought the wii would have snapped up the wii u by now. Nope.
These same people now believe MK8 will save the Wii U because it sold 30m+ last time on a rampant Wii. Nope.
I answered "NO" to the question asked in this thread. I think that interest in these games have vastly disappeared with the Wii. I expect SSB to do very well on the 3DS however.
Three or so months time will prove me right or wrong where MK8 is concerned.
If I am wrong please feel free to gloat.
