brand recognition It obviously didn´t work out...at all

It is actually not the first time Nintendo did this:

GameBoy -> GameBoy Advance

NES -> SNES

I remember reading about people who could distinct over 3DS of DS.

Watch 2011 e3. Wii started making sense when you hear it as we. Now we want the focus to be on you. Introducing Wii U. It also represents unique and utopia. (It was really stupid and bad)

It was easier then, Nintendo then, they pretty much had no equal in those markets. Since then,

SNES - > N64 -> Gamecube -> Wii

GBA -> DS

The brand is Nintendo. They named it wrong, that is what this is about. In Britian the common term for a home console (by mostly those not in the know) is/was Playstation. The common term for a handheld is 'Nintendo'. Nintendo is the brand that sells not Wii. 

I remember that Nintendo conference.   At some point I thought the gamepad was a device for the Wii.

Thanks.  Let's just hope that they do something imaginative and bold.  If they go with the same old conservative ads with stylish teens smiling as they play, then someone should be fired.  I mean that.  This isn't the time for conservative.  That's fine for the 3DS but not the Wii U.  They need Crash Bandicoot style ads that don't just politely ring the door-bell but instead try to knock it down.  In short, they need to get people's attention.

It is pretty much the same in Germany

over here everything is still called "Atari".

All the more reason for them to make sure that it's Nintendo that is in people's mind, the name of their console is not as big of a concern.

While, a little odd choice, I'd say that's more awesome.

idk about you but i can't stand people calling my 3DS an Atari XD