It seems like Wii U has been around for so long and doing poorly for even longer.  But in reality it's only been a very bumpy year and half since release and the competing systems have only been on the market for around 6 months.  As of today we have, in total sales:

PS4:  7.7 million

Wii U: 6.2 million

XBOne: 4.5 million

So, despite all the praise for PS4 and the doom for Wii U, the Nintendo system is only about 1.5 million units behind the market lead.  There are definitely issues for Wii U, in particular declining 3rd party support, but there is also potential.  The system has the "advantage" of being on the market for the longest, meaning Nintendo is streamlining costs and ramping up software production while addressing key short-comings.  Knowing that many 3rd parties are not fully behind the system means that Nintendo can react and partner with willing 3rd parties for joint productions.  Price cuts are now possible to move units into homes. Both DS and 3DS saw initial trepidation from the public before eventually becoming market leaders.  They lead the market despite poor 3rd party support and weaker hardware when compared to the PS line.

Begining with the launch of Mario Kart 8, we could be about to see the begining of a Wii U turnaround.  PS4 and XBOne still have yet to show truly amazing exclusive software and many titles are seeing delays.  3rd party support is fantastic, of course, but Wii U could potentially offer a compelling alternative.  At E3 we could see:

-An amazing Zelda U title.

-The reveal of some game-changing new IP's along the lines of Wii Sports or Brain Age.

-Multiple 3rd party exclusives, perhaps titles such as Last Story 2 from Mistwalker.

-Expanded details on titles with high potential such as X, B2, Smash U, HW and others.

-Potential system re-designs or price cuts.

It is not completely out of the realm of possibility that we could see going forward over the next year and a half, Wii pushing forward with a mature Zelda, some unique new ways of playing games that capture the mass market, a sexy new look for the system, a $249 price and mutiple other core titles such as X, Last Story, Metroid and others.  It could rise to prominance and baffle those who said Nintendo needs 3rd parties and Wii U is underpowered.

Could it happen?  Will it?

Wow so with one year more on the market the wii U achieve to be only 1.5mill behind the Ps4, amazing

Maybe, only a few more days of waiting till we find out

As much as people posting on this site insist it can't, it can.

I'm optimistic. Everything in me eyes is pointing to a Wii U success. All the exclusive games Nintendo has. Sega also has a three game deal with Nintendo. Zelda: Hyrule Warriors this August in Japan. The west should see that game by this holiday season. Bayonetta 2, Super Smash Bros and X also this year. This is going to be a crazy year.

The Sega Dreamcast also had a record-breaking launch

I like what you say and think a lot of it may happen.

but.

1) There will be no wiiu redesign. There is no reason to, just like Wii didn't see anything really until losing GC support and then Wiimini at end of life; neither of these circumstances exist in wiiu.

2) There will be no wiiu price cut announced at E3. MK8 will have just launched and Nintendo would have announced the price cut to go along with this major game if one were immediately happening. If Nintendo does a price cut this year, it will be likely in fall. Maybe just before Smash.

3) WiiUs only chance of regaining lead and/or not ending up 3rd is if it can demonstrate a clear mass market / mass appeal game. Mk8 has some of this, but its expected. They need something new like WiiSports was to do that. Hopefully this E3 with the rumored gamepad proving game and/or NFP info, we'll finally see that, but I'm not betting on it.

So did the wii U

It needs to destroy precedent to do so. But I have seen two opinions of the Wii U early on.

1. There is a Wii 2?

2. What a pile of junk. I'm so disappointed.

I was of the latter opinion, because the media immediately told me what was wrong with it rather than what was right with it. And now here I am with a Wii U and it's my favorite console to date. Many of my friends and colleagues were of the earlier view. The problem is, that they are only now finding ot what a Wii U is. The good thing is, that they are only now finding out what a Wii U is.