Could someone please explain to me why the Wii U is leading the Xbox and PS3 in the first graph but not in the second one? I just can't seem to work it out?!?!

The first graph is worldwide cumulated lifetime sales. as the WiiU sold pretty good at launch, it is leading over X360 and PS3 in this graph, but you can see the line is already flat. The second graph shows the weekly sales of each system in the first year (Jan-Dec). So the first weeks of WiiU are missing and we see the horrible sales as it entered the year 2013.

Completely agree.  A $250 Mario Kart Wii U bundle this holiday (or something similar) could do wonders for hardware sales.  I think Nintendo is gauging how the other two play their launches to react.  I fear if they let them both have this holiday season they will start to struggle to take market share back.  Much of this speculation will be base don prices for competition. If Sony and Microsoft roll out $500 systems like I expect now Nintendo may think its current model is okay.  If they both go $400 then I think Nintendo has to do something to undercut them.

Nintendo cant release fast enough their 1st party games. Tough the numbers look terrible, I think we can all agree that most of us are waiting to see how Mario holds up in HD That alone could alleviate the situation

I didn't buy a Wii till Mario Galaxy came out.

Updated the OP with current numbers. The gap-graph against the Vita shows, that the WiiU keeps losing ground, as the weekly sales stay below comparable Vita-sales, but overall is in front because of the better launch. How long that holds depends on the further development of the sales. I think sales will stay flat until the end of March with Monster Hunter, NFS and Lego City. How much these games will do will be interesting to see.

Sorry, I forgot to update the thread with last weeks data. I actually put the data into my spreadsheet, but didn't update the thread. This shall be done now. Next weeks data will probably be available soon.

The weeks data itself show another slow week for WiiU. Probably nothing will happen until MH3U, Lego City and NFS.

Keep updating, this is interesting stuff. Nintendo really need a first party game to help boost sales of WiiU.

They need Soul Sacrifice

NPD numbers in about 24 hours. Can't wait.