Trust me they know what they're doing. By releasing them at different times, people are more likely to buy both versions. Now do you really think that the Wii U version will not have its own game mode? It will, but it will not be announced until after the 3DS version is out. They are trying to maximize 3DS sales, and then maximize Wii U sales. Also, they do not want the Wii U version to be released too close to the release of Mario Kart 8.

But they haven't parity in their release dates, and thus they would be better off talking about that after the 3DS game is out so that potential customers who buy both won't just drop the 3DS game and wait for the superior Wii U game.

Iwata has said himself the problem w the Wii u is not having compelling, consistent software to sell the system -  then he said they would fix that but they simply have not -  nor do they seem to concerned w doing so-   What point in the Wii u s history has Nintendo delivered more, or exceeded expectations?   They haven't, even though they have managed Wii u expectations as low as a " live" console can go.

Are you sure they don't just mean Winter month-wise?

Thanks- glad they said 2014-   Was worried Winter might be Jan or feb

This,

And this, I think is correct when you think about it.

So you're saying that all you really care about are graphics and resolution? Good to know. I mean, I've been looking forward to a portable Smash since early DS days, and I think it's great that they actually managed to get it running smoothly on a handheld, but I guess it's crap because it's rendered at 240p.

OT: I was super hyped to see that the 3DS version would be releasing soon. Gives me a chance to play the game early, while still giving them time to further polish and perfect the superior Wii U version - which is an absolute necessity, as they can't have people looking at the console version and thinking, "Meh, I already have it on my 3DS, so why bother?"

3DS version first? Yes, please!

WiiU will have it's own unique gameplay mechanics/levels/characters/whatever also.

Wii U is simply dead. This direct added more depth to the hole the console's buried at.

Simply unimaginably bad. What are they going to release until the Holidays? Probably 1 game in October, seeing that MK8 will be "enough" for Iwata and co. and that the main focus is the 3DS, again, crapping all over those who bought their main console at full price, by the promise of great games coming out frequently.

Wonder how they are gonna get away with this when Investors start asking in the upcoming End of FY meeting. Things are gonna get nasty, as after MK8, there is NO game with a set release date. Never before had that happened. Nintendo is releasing less and less games for its main console as time goes by.

Shows that they are not trustworthy at all. Who will buy their next console given their recent track record?

Finally, that "Winter 2014" means up until March 20th. Wouldn't surprise me if March 20th is indeed the actual release date, as its close to the end of the FY.
I expect it to be an early 2015 title. And where's the single player mode? If there's none, that's a no buy for me.

I am thinking on the same lines they promote the 3DS version with this exclusive mode and this other stuff, and this other thing, so everybody goes out and buy it soon, then just a few months later they start showing additional stuff on the Wii U version like a few extra modes, stage editor, extra trophies and challenges, you know more stuff. And the people now have to buy the Wii U version also and they take advantage and sell games left and right, is actually a brilliant plan.