I don't expect a console with a name like "Bii" to ever be released.

I personally think it would be awesome and could possibly shake things up this holiday season.  However, even if the 3DS and a Wii 2 is announced for a release in November I wouldn't be able to buy it until next year, most likely after I get my tax return :(. 

Don't say you were not foretold.

We both know that neither of those had a lot fo games and one suffered because of it.

Nintendo understands that a successful system demand good momentum. This is why Sony is still struggeling with the PS3. This is also why Nintendo has 7 of their own games already lined up for the system. They want to start strong. This means most developers will be tied to the 3DS. This also means Wii 2 can't get enough software.

Nintendo is not going to launch a Wii 2 in 2011 because it would make them too vunerable. A new Wii will come soon, but still later (2012 is the earliest). Nintendo is also not going to follow the same strategy as one of their least successful home consoles.

GC/GBA were pretty loaded with games upfront.  N64/VB less so, but those were due chiefly to market and pricing factors rather than some inability of Nintendo/others to simultaneously support two distinct platforms.  

And momentum is exactly why Nintendo will launch first with Wii 2, and why it'll come just a year after 3DS.  They'll want to get the industry (publishers, developers, media, retail, consumers) lined up behind them first and foremost, this is exactly what they're doing with 3DS and it's (so far) working out.  The plan with 3DS was basically to consolidate their own strengths (in DS) with those of their competitor (PSP), and I think you'll see the same for Wii 2; hold on to their own mainstream/casual Wii base, and grab a good chuck of that vocal HD hardcore from PS3/360.  They'll also want to continue Wii's forward momentum and seamlessly transition that to next cycle, momentum which seems to be waning already and is almost gone in Japan... the longer Nintendo waits, the more they risk industry segments moving to or staying with Sony and Microsoft, especially now that both have introduced their own motion control alternatives.  They're going to try and "PS2" the competition...

I feel as though "hell no!" is needed, but I'll wait until the 29th to answer that...

I totally agree with this. Nintendo is the one that has to make a move now to prevent losing the top position. MS and Sony are getting most of the support and that's why their machines will remain relevant for a long time, as their userbase tends to buy many more games because it's more active.

But Nintendo will have to differentiate a lot from the PS3, 360 and even Wii with Wii 2 to make an impact. I don't know what they are going to do, but the specs will need to be higher than those of the PS3 and 360, while at the same time have something other than motion controls (which 360 and PS3 already have) to attract new buyers. They are in a very tough position, because most of the times, something very innovative means risk. Risk in the sense that VB was innovative, but was a complete failure. Risk that you pour so much money in and you may not get it back. And at the same time, Nintendo needs to have something completely ground breaking in the next 1 and a half years, and that's no easy task for anyone.

Plus their new machine will be somewhat expensive if it up specs the 360 and PS3 while maintaining the same core functions like BD drive, wifi, Harddrive, HDMI ports, backwards compatibility, etc. Being expensive will violate Nintendo's strategy of releasing a console accessible to the majority and they will be in risk tht 3rd parties will ignore it to keep supporting both PS3 and 360 if the specs are close between the systems.

Very tough position for Nintendo this gen. If they don't plan things well, they could have another 3rd party disaster in their hands and fall dramatically in HW sales next gen considering that MS and Sony will be in very healthy conditions.

I agree; I think Nintendo is actually in the toughest position going into the next gen; when to launch, what to launch, etc. Even though they are the market leader now they probably have the most to prove...

It really is Nintendo's game to lose (so to speak), and drawing things out definitely hurts their chances.  A 2012 (or later) Wii 2 launch just seems so much more risky than a 2011 Wii 2, I'm surprised people are really pushing that line?

For the Wii 2 "hook", I expect the control interface to remain largely similar (like DS to 3DS), but more and more I'm really think the biofeedback aspect of the Vitality Sensor will be integrated directly (and VS for Wii scrapped), and pushed hard as a new differentiator.  I'd also expect HD/3D support, Blu-ray based media, improved online infrastructure (maybe with some novel aspects like 3DS is supposedly getting), Wii backwards compatibility (but not GC, no controller/memory card ports for it) and probably a 4GB flash drive (yes, no HDD and only 4GB, this is Nintendo after all).   And Virtual Console will probably get a bit of an upgrade with more advanced systems added (GC, DC, Saturn, 3DO, etc) and likely an upgrade path to transfer Wii 1 purchases over.

The spec jump will probably be comparable with going from DS/PSP/3DS to Wii/PS3/Wii2... it'll encourage Wii2 get included in the multiplatform 3rd party mindset from day one, and also likely help discourage MS/Sony from necessarily rushing their next systems into the cycle (why bother if you're still getting all the games and finally making money?).  With this scenario, PS4/XB3 could be held back to 2014 or later even, giving Sony and MS time actually try and recoup on their massive losses this gen... the only real incentive for one or the other jumping in sooner would be if Wii2 starts squeezing one or the other out in terms of multiplatform publisher support (possibly 360 due to interface, or PS3 due to market position).  And honestly, putting together a PS3-plus spec system a year from now for $250 isn't really that tough a proposition, and it'll likely be going up against a $199 PS3 and $149 360 anyway.

The Gamecube had little to no content. They were left with Pikmin and Luigi's Mansion, both games that were unproven and Smash Brothers. The Gamecube realied on Smash brothers though most of it's life. The Gamecube was dead in the water to begin with.

You are thinking too much about the launch date. Launch dates only matter relative to the competition. If Sony has no plans to release a PS4, then Nintendo can wait it out. The 3DS is getting far and beyond the most attention. Nintendo is making 7 games right now for it, and may have more they have not announced yet in typical Nintendo fashion). The DS also had a lot of titles being develoed, as did the Wii.

Title move systems. There is no way around this. Nintendo will not have enough backing for a Wii 2 in 2011 both with 3DS games (which will, by far, take up most of Nintendo's attention) and games already coming out on the Wii. Nintendo isn't going to rush to the next generation like a fool. The only way Nintendo will jump on the next console is if they preseve that a compeitor will, which neither of them will (maybe Microsoft, but Nintendo ignores them most of the time).

I bolded that line as it misses how console launches are done. In order for Nintendo to seemlessly jump into the next cycle, they must have games. This is why they wont launch in 2011 because they will not be able to pool enough resources and risk more by jeprodizing either the 3DS or the Wii 2. As of right now, there is no threat of consumers going to the competition becuase they are not going to buy PS3s or 360s (50% of Wii owners are females who will not buy the HD systems).

So I see no firm reason Nintendo should launch in 2011. Every time I hear people say that, they relate it to the Gamecube, one of Nintendo greatest failures ignoring the DS/Wii schedule.