The only way I can see the NX succeeding is this

[JWeinCom]

Hmmmmm... the Wii U is failing hard... how can we turn this around?

Let's replace our fairly successful DS line with a portable Wii U! And let people buy the same games over again!

Brilliant!

And you know how the Gamepad didn't sell the system? Now, let's let people pay more for an extra controller they don't like!

Brillianter!




As for Nintendo needing to protect their reputation...

1) Only 10 million people bought the Wii U. Most of those were Nintendo fans who were either simply happy they got their Smash, Mario, and Mario Kart, or fans so devoted to Nintendo that they'll buy the next one no matter what.

2) Assuming a 2016 holiday launch, Nintendo supported the console for 4 years. Nintendo usually supports their systems for 5. So, people are acting like Nintendo's pulling a Dreamcast, but it's just a slightly shortened cycle.

3) Are consumers really going to be that upset? The people who buy a slightly modified iPhone each year? The people who bought XBox One at launch despite the 360 having a 33% failure rate at launch? The people who support companies who lock DLC on disc? The people who buy a game that's broken at launch, and preorder the next game in the series? The people who buy season passes before they know what the content included will be?

Yeah. Consumers have a way shorter memory than you seem to think. If the NX looks cool, they'll buy it.