This works both ways :)

Xbox One is destined to take second place this gen.

This will be interesting. It's pretty much what XO sells in NA vs. what Wii U sells worldwide.

XO won't exist in Japan, it doesn't and won't exist in Europe as well. You guys say XO has multiplats? Let's not forget they are all inferior to the PS4 versions and this does matter. It's not like last gen, this time XO gets noticably inferior ports and is the worst choice for multiplatform games + won't get the Japanese games that PS4 gets. XO has to fight PS4, while Wii U just has to fight its own weaknesses. It only depends on how much Nintendo wants to push the Wii U. To me it's a matter of a mature Zelda, a Metroid Prime (new one or Trilogy HD) and a price cut and I'm in. There is nothing MS can do to make me buy an XO in the coming years.

I know I'll be going with PS4/Wii U combo this gen, so I'll add to the Wii U group. I may get an XO when it drop to around $150 if it gets some worthwile exclusives.

To sum up - Nintendo doesn't have to make an equally isgnificant improvement as MS, since they will rise in all regions, while MS has only NA left and has to work its tail off to fight PS4.

For now I will go with the Xbone because you can see MS is at least trying. They recognized that (for the moment) the biggest disadvantage against PS4 was the price, and they were willing to swallow their pride and take a tough decision (and I think they made the right decision by dropping the Kinect). I think Nintendo should have done this a long time ago with the GamePad. Sorry to say it like this, but to my eyes the Wii U is not worth $299. Not when you can get a PS360 sometimes for a lot less than that. Yes, I know the Wii U is a Generation 8-console and all that jazz, but the PS360 have seven years worth of games, and even today the PS3 is getting more games than the Wii U in a monthly basis. And I'm actually surprised that Nintendo doesn't recognize this since they are the ones always saying that Games sale consoles.

BUT, with all that being said, I think the Wii U still has a chance of beating the X1 if Nintendo play their cards right. I think the first thing they need to do is add PERCEIVED value to the console.

To me, for some reason, this feels like a repeat of 6th generation. Nintendo and Microsoft both pretty close while Sony is leaving them in the dust..... If it does turn out like 6th gen, I hope sales for both Wii U and Xbox One are higher than GameCube and Xbox

Probably Xbox One.

Things going in Microsoft's favor:
1. Sold 800k more at launch.
2. Slower declines than the Wii U after big game/holiday season
3. Third party support
4. Better marketing

Nintendo:
1. 4.1 million head start (Not much but still something)
2. Cost less
3. Better upcoming games and backlog (This could change though)

Right now I think Wii U will be 3rd by a big margin. XB1 will sell at least 2 to 3 times more lifetime.

I think I'll wait until we see what effect MK 8 and what effect the new kniect less Xbox One does for either sales. Its a little early to say who will be second.

As much as i would love Wii U to make a massive comeback, i just cant see it happening it at all, XO will win by default.

I think we will know much better who will be second - Nintendo or Microsoft console very soon.

By the beginning of 2015 it would be either

Microsoft or Nintendo console second in the console market