The recent thread about Wii U name made me think of this, my idea of what Nintendo should have done with their 8th generation devices.
At the beginning, 3DS was confused as a DS revision, along with a high price tag and a long software drought made initial sales poor. I think they shouldn't have included 3D screens, they could add a 3D sku later tho, and instead named it Super DS. The price would be lower along with a less confusing name that makes u think its a more powerful version. They should have also delayed it by about 6 months in order to have a better launch and post-launch lineup.
Name-Super DS
Launch Date-September 2011
Launch Price-$169.99
Major releases thru first full year
Nintendogs+Cats, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Street Fighter IV, Pilotwings Resort, Star Fox 64, Pokémon Rumble Blast, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Monster Hunter 3G (Japan), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, Resident Evil: Revelations, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario & Sonic London Olympics, Spirit Camera, Heroes of Ruin, Mario Power Tennis, Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Super DS XL, Paper Mario: Sticker Star
As for Wii U, I think they shouldn't have released the Gamepad bundled and should have instead been an optional accessory released later. The primary controller would be an improved Wii Motion Plus and the console named Super Wii. This console should also have been delayed in order to have a better launch/post-launch lineup.
Name-Super Wii
Launch Date-September 2013
Launch Price-$249.99
Major releases thru first full year
Nintendo Land, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, Wind Waker HD, Zombie, Wii Party 2, Sonic Lost World, Super Mario 3D World, Super Wii Fit, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Madden, FIFA, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Rayman Legends, Mario Kart 8, Wii Sports Club, Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2, Super Smash Bros. for Super Wii, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, NES Remix Pack
With this strategy, they would have better marketing due to consumers not being confused by thinking they are a revision/accessory, lower launch price while being sold at a profit and much better early software output. I don't think they would be selling DS/Wii levels but I think they would be doing a fair amount better than 3DS/Wii U have done, perhaps closer to GBA/N64 levels.
When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.
