It's more of a coincidence. Each cycle is more or less a whole new game.
If the N64 didn't use cartridges, and instead used CDs, there's no doubt it would have sold considerably better than it did.
Gamecube LOOKED like a children's toy, it was so bad that it was embarrassing to own one. Despite what some will say, it had a miserable controller. Not to mention the software was just not there, first party games were not particularly interesting. Third party games were dumbed down, and the important ones were just not released on the console. If Nintendo had not made it look like a purple lunchbox, and made a better controller, it would have sold much better.
The major problem with Wii U is that while there is the gamepad, Nintendo has not been able to communicate to the public just why it is a great thing. It is not simple and easy to show like the Wii remote. At least not for them, Nintendo completely failed with 3D on the 3DS as well, and that actually should have been easy. That on top of the fact that Nintendo continues to fail to release compelling content. Mario Kart 8 is simply not enough, it is just one game. The Wii U, in a way, is a console that no one can really effectively communicate why it is great. If Nintendo could do that, it would have sold much better than it did. It might be that it really just isn't powerful enough, and that is something PS4 has been able to communicate, and it's also been able to get the best and most comprehensive 3rd party lineup. Of course, it is kind of difficult to communicate that the Wii U has great software when it is constantly something that's way I the future with almost no information about it. The fact that no main series Mario or Zelda game has yet been released is a problem, they should be working on releasing Mario Galaxy 4 and Legend of Zelda U-2 by now.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
