1) Everything needs to be marketed well. Wii and WiiU marketing was painfully different and WiiU's marketing made it very confusing. Was it a new console or controller? Basically, this one is a no-brainer for any product launch.
2) No. Nintendo needs to focus on Nintendo quality and gaming styles. Not copy-the-rest as that won't work. While I agree Nintendo should court 3rd parties to help broaden their library, they won't win the core unless they drop their brand entirely and then what would be the point? MSony can continue to have the me-too systems. Nintendo needs to remain different without alienating 3rd parties. That's a very hard task though.
3) Nope nope nope. 2016 is their launch year. 3DS is 5 at that point and WiiU is 4. 4 years of greatly under-performing in sales. Sucks as the console is awesome with a large number of fantastic games. But, they lost the me-too games from 3rd parties. So its time to create a new experience. I firmly believe this will be a hybrid/crossover type of device that will have portable and home console focuses with strong mobile inclusion as well. E32016 is going to be interesting. I'm planning on going if possible.
4) Console don't appear to be dropping in prices as rapidly any more. Gamers seem to be more willing to spend $300+ if the games exist. However, lower pricing is part of Nintendo's hardware focus always. I expect $300 to $350 for the home console portion and about $200 for the portables. I don't see Nintendo swaying from that as its worked well for their current products as well as MSony devices.
5) This goes back to #1 really and possibly the name chosen for WiiU as a great number of accessories for Wii were titled "Wii insertname" So I doubt this issue will be repeated.
6) No. Use mobile and pc like hardware. They need to build off of the latest technologies being used in the marketplace to allow as simple as possible reuse of game code. However, it can't be like PS4XB1 as they will be hindered from lowering costs due to not being able to increase effeciency with die sizes, etc... or at least it won't be as dramatic as it historically has been for gaming consoles. They need custom designed architectures that are based on x86 and ARM hardware. Not "on-shelf" parts.
7) I think Nintendo may drop BC on the next hardware. It may be just too costly this time around due to hardware differences. Instead we'll see an increase in VC similar to how WiiU can download the Metroid Prime Trilogy game.. i.e. a Wii game... for a very low cost.
8) Yeah don't mess up. However, with cash on hand Nintendo has, they can continue to put out WiiU levels of "failures" and remain a profitable company forever.
