Nintendo couldn't "PS3" the Wii U even if they wanted to, because the tech is a full generation behind the PS4/XB1 (or close enough to it) ... so they could drop the price all they want. People already have a PS3/360, why should they buy another system that's basically like the same thing?
That's the whole risk you run when you play the "lets make an underpowered console on purpose and bet it all on the controller to get people to buy it!" formula.
Once the controller didn't take off, Nintendo was stuck up shit creek without a paddle. PS3 always had OK-to-good third party sales too, so they were never going to abandon Sony overnight.
PS3's only problem was the price, and price always comes down. Nintendo/MS were dumb enough to let Sony have a purposely long generation though rather than jumping all over them and pushing for successors earlier, which Sony would not have wanted.
That said Nem, you could be right in that the same exact thing could repeat itself if Nintendo shows the NX, and then Sony has the PS5 and MS has the XB2 which are like far more powerful a year or two later. Nintendo might want to look into a upgradable console or something even if its not ideal, it's better than being backed into a corner with no options.
