Iwata: “Wii U Is Not Over Yet”

[Alby_da_Wolf]

binary solo said:

curl-6 said:

Of course it's not, it only turned 2 a few months ago.

Even modern Nintendo isn't stupid enough to alienate what fans they have left by doing a Saturn and pulling the plug too soon. Plus, they still need to recoup the system's R&D costs and first year losses.

A replacement in November 2017 would be ideal, giving it a normal Nintendo console lifespan so buyers don't feel shortchanged. 

But 4 years (Nov 2012-Nov 2016), is also a reasonable generation time. Launching in Nov 2016 does not make Wii U's lifespan outrageously short. And if Wii U tanks this year hitting the next gen in 2016 is a chance for a complete refresh, including ditching the childish Wii name.

Although MS put a lot of money and resources into it, a 4 year cycle contributed to make the first version of XB360 horribly buggy.
Risking to throw Ninty's reputation for reliability down the sink wouldn't be a good bargain.
Moreover, releasing so early and with the usual Ninty conservative approach to HW power and profitability could result in a half-assed console, but half-assed in HW power would be the smallest problem, the biggest one is the possibility of a half-assed concept, either wrong or not refined enough. With neither noticeable HW power increases nor big and desirable new concepts, features and HW innovations, people and devs would simply say about it "so what?" and the new console would end up catering again for just those 20-30M die-hard first party Ninty fans.