Because perhaps they maybe wanted to expand beyond the same consumer base?

i dont think you get my point. EA announced the special edition for PS360 and ME3 for WiiU. one of the main reasons people say that the game floped is because of the special edition and how people just bought it instead of ME3 on WiiU. that means that those WiiU owners already have either a PS3 or 360. so basically EA wouldnt be expanding their consumer base becuase these people already have other consoles. the consumer base is pretty much the same. 

But that still accounts for only 1 facet of many why the game didn't sell well.

1. It's part 3 of a series that gamers never saw of part 1 and 2.  The interactive comic contained therein isn't justfiable for many gamers.

2. The userbase disparity.

3. The software deluge problem.   They relased way too many games at launch which dilutes the units sales per title far more than a launch usually provides.

4. The F You factor.   Even though Wii U gamers without an X360 or PS3 would not be directly affected by the relase of the ME Trilogy, they still felt very slighted by announcing it just prior to the launch of ME3 on Wii U and at the same price.

Honestly, what has EA released on the DS/3DS/Wii in over two years but watered down versions of their normal ports annual releases anyway minus the new features they tout on other systems?

Even their more recent version of Tiger Woods golf, which benefitted greatly from motion controls of the Wii back in 2008/2009 haven't really been improved beyond that initial release that featured the Wii motion plus. Throw in the fact that FIFA is a major money maker for EA, especially in European territories and you have more revenue for the PSP/Vita then you have for the tidbits of support they throw on the Wii/DS/3DS.

*Looks at PSP/Vita support*

*Looks at 3DS/Wii U support*

Is anyone surprised by this? Vita got a great FIFA port during the launch, and 3DS and Wii U got bone fragments. EA got the sales they deserve on respective platforms.