Well, yes. You are technically correct but...

Gamepad: Most people don't care for.

Cool Mario: That's your opinion, most people will see 3D Land and be fine with that.

Pikmin: I am a fan but history shows, it isn't that big of an IP.

Console: That doesn't give it added value just because.

PS3 came from a massive brand after the success of the PS2. Yet, Wii will (likely) end up outselling it despite coming from the GC. My point? Most consumers don't actually have brand loyalty and will buy what they perceive to be the best product at the time. (Not only in gaming) 

If Nintendo had made a great console, with amazing value that got the publics attention, Wii U would be selling well reguardless of competition.

Wii U launched first just like the PS2. It also launched as the successor of the leader of the previous gen. (Like PS2) The other consoles (no matter how many) wouldn't matter had the Wii U been seen as an attractive buy in the public eye. Nintendo had the chance to position the Wii U in a strong position. They fumbled. It's that simple.

I don't have a Wii U so I wouldn't know. Wii U & 3DS do share a lot of the same though and it's clear consumers don't find the Gamepad worthy enough to spend $300. They do however, see the 3DS as a good buy. 

PS2 didn't launch first, DreamCast did.

And now the WiiU has some of the same problems, the DreamCast had: lack of third party support (EA for example) and an announcement of a competitor with MUCH stronger hardware only a few month after its launch (PS2 announcement for the DC; PS4 + XBO announcements for the WiiU).

The PS2 had no problem to show its hardware muscles... the difference to the existing games was obvious. The 3rd party support was also very good from the beginning.

Nintendo's console/handheld hybrid is coming !

Exactly. The 3DS wouldn't be doing so hot were it to have some decent competition.

How could I do the DC dirty like that? Oh well.

You make very valid points but my stance remains. Either way, had the Wii U been a better value and caught the markets attention, Wii U would sell well reguardless of the competition which was my point. You have a product that people actually want, they will buy it even if the competition is tough. 

3DS is seen as the better value, simple as that. People don't go "I need to buy one HH system let me pick" we have smartphones, tablets, Laptops, and so on that can fill the want of a HH type system. 3DS is selling because people want to buy it. Nintendo has yet to make too many consumers actually want to own the Wii U.

:( 

Don't forget that before the next gen release of PS4 and XboxOne, WiiU was in a tough competition with PS360 both console costing less then $199 for their basic model and having a full back library of 6-7 years worth of games. There was also some major release this year on both console GTAV, LAst of US, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, etc.

The WiiU was overpriced most of 2013 costing $350 and there was a games drought most of the year.

The WiiU will benefit greatly from now being compared to more expensive PS4 and Xbone then the cheaper PS360. 

To answer your question the 3ds is now a commercial success and will win this generation of handheld gaming. AS for the WiiU, it's probably not going to win any console wars but it's well on it's way to be a financial success for Nintendo. If you ignore the competition and just focus on the WiiU sales..... financial success would be more then 25 millions units sold and commercial success would be anything above 30 million units sold. 

3DS have more exclusive nuff said. Bravely Default,Pokemon X/Y,The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds,Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies and many more.