Why isn't the WiiU part of the next-gen console wars?

[J_Allard]

You kind of answered your own question.

If the WiiU is "not seen by many to be a next generation console", then why would they include it in next generation console wars?

I for one agree with them. I own one, but I wouldn't really call it next gen. In a literal sense, it is Nintendo's 8th gen console. Compared to the other consoles though, no, not next gen.