They'll have to price this accordingly though I don't think people will pay $300+ for any type of Nintendo platform, I don't care if Nintendo can pump out a new Mario/Zelda/Pokemon/DKC game each month. There's still that. I think software pricing is also going to be a thorn for them but still it's likely to bring them somewhere better than where they are now. 

It does indeed seem too soon.

OT: I feel as though this isn't him hinting at "console/handheld" hybrid. That's just taking this info and running with it. All he is doing is saying that they are expanding on multi-platform OS'. They've already started with putting MiiVerse on the 3DS, now they just need to expand it.

Umm I think you might be jumping the gun there, we have no idea if Nintendo's new QOL and dual console/handheld idea will even work. If they create a traditional handheld then they'll have to compete with smartphones and tablets again, if they going for the tablet-based approach then they'll annoy the core gamers. Nintendo has to tread lightly here. And I have absolutely no clue what's going on with that QOL stuff, I'm halfway expecting Pikachu on a suppository.

That's not what he said at all. You should actually read his response. He specifically cites the software ecosystems of Apple and Android. This isn't just "Miiverse on different platforms". Nintendo already has done that anyway. 

What this means is there won't be a Mario Kart 9 for the HDS and another Mario Kart 10 for Wii 3 or whatever. There will be Mario Kart 9 and you'll be able to play it on a Nintendo handheld if you want or on a Nintendo home console/dock, likely with both machines have the same chipset just scaled differently. 

Don't see how anyone can be confident in buying a Wii U, when Nintendo is already looking forward so early. Customers may have given them the benefit of the doubt before but they are entering late 90s SEGA level marketing now.

Read what I said. I said they've already done MiiVerse, now they are just expanding upon that. I said that they're going to go with multi-platform OS', which is exactly what you said I should take from this. (Multi-platform OS' like iOS and Android.)

Since Wii, the days of Nintendo directly trying to compete with the Sony / Microsoft model appear done.  Don't see that changing, so this might be a smart move.

See my Mario Kart 9 vs. Mario Kart 9 + 10 example. 

Hardware will be a non-issue for Nintendo in the future in the sense that lets say you only own and only want a Nintendo handheld. Won't touch a Nintendo console with 100 foot pole. You will still be able to play the same Zelda game as the "console" version, maybe just at a lower resolution.

Nintendo will make 1 Zelda game and it will work on their tablet, mini-handheld, home dock, etc. etc. (Iwata mentioned maybe even more than 2 hardware lines ... it's up to the consumer to decide). That's a huge change for Nintendo. 

Okay, when I first quoted you, you didn't say that. I see what you are saying now.

Ugh, I'm not sure how well that will work, though. Especially for some of the games that are much more HH oriented. (Like Pokemon, or Animal Crossing.)

Interesting stuff.

Too bad it's still a long time away before we actually hear something more concrete, still being at the start of this generation, but an exciting prospect nonetheless. Thanks for the read .