They were trying to be cute, but ended up being stupid with WiiU. Wii2 would have been fine and great and eminently marketable. But they were never going to bring over the Wii multitudes, because most Wii buyers had moved on, either no longer gaming, or upgraded to a HD platform, or migrated to mobile platforms. But I think Wii2 probably would be knocking on the door of 10 million by now, if not passed it already. So they missed out on about 3 million in sales to date because of the stupid name IMO.
They also need an image makeover. Nintendo does not present as a "serious fun" gaming company, but rather a light and frivolous fun gaming company. And it seems "serious fun" is an important partner gaming culture. That's not to say light and frivolous fun isn't valuable or important, just that having an imagine being only that limits your market.
“The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” - Bertrand Russell
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix
