I'm all for a spirited debate, but here is where you cross the line from debating to trolling. Good day Sir.

Wii-like console doesn't mean new controller concept every gen...

It does mean you need to have some kind of mindblowing new novelty each generation to make up for the fact that you have a console that is probably very underpowered and lacks third party support. 

Which is a tall order to ask of your R&D. It's basically akin to gambling ... you are rolling the dice on some new idea taking off, but if it doesn't, you're pretty much hooped for 5 years at a time, which is a harsh price to pay. 

The Wii U online is what it is, it's not a technical issue ... the fact is Nintendo is a KIDS FIRST company, I know it's hard for a lot of people to accept that, but it's the truth. They will never embrace online the way Sony/MS do because there are too many problematic issues with kids being targeted by sickos on a kid-centric service. It has nothing to do with their hardware. 

Their brand rep is akin to the Walt Disney of gaming and they're not going to tarnish that with all the pitfalls that can come with online services so they keep it to a minimum. 

They could but since online isn't priority for them as it doesn't really vibe with their family friendly image, then they're obviously not going to invest a ton of money into making the online that great. And really who's to say that Nintendo doesn't quite enjoy making you pay double to play VC games on both the 3DS and Wii U? 

The real reason I think they also hold back from too many VC games is not a technical issue at all ... they want people paying full price for their new games, not getting full off lower priced old games. 

You guys are definitely more educated on the subject, so I'd be glad to continue the conversation with you.

As far as having cross buy for identicle titles like VC and indie games, I totally agree. They have a unified account system now. You shouldn't be paying twice for the exact same game. If I remember correctly, cross buy is something that Nintendo is working on though. My guess would be it's an issue with the 3DS. There might just not be enough room in the 3DS' internal memory for the larger firmware files needed to code a more complex system like that. The 3DS store is bare bones. I don't like it at all.

I understand why people hate on the 3DS store, but why the WiiU's? I find it to be great. It loads quick, popular and new games are all on the front page, easy to find links to the VC, indie, demo, and digital games sections. A decent search engine, and that catchy music that seems to change every time I'm on there. Most retail releases are there. The VC was lacking at first but they seem to be releasing VC games a lot quicker now. My only complaint would be that there aren't many demos. That would be a choice made by the developers though. Not Nintendo. I personally like the WiiU's store a lot more than the PS3's.

I don't understand why people make such a big deal about having more than one 3DS or WiiU linked to the same account either. It seems like something only a very small percentage of people would need. The majority of people would just use it for stealing games like me and my friends do with PSN..

People such as yourself and the OP seem to think that because expensive consoles, that take big losses and have lots of third party support is what works for Sony/MS, that must mean it's what would work for Nintendo as well. Well, it's not.

Third party mature/cinematic/story-driven games don't drive Nintendo console sales and powerful, expensive hardware won't get them the same 3rd party support as MS/Sony, it just gets them financial losses. Trying to cater to the hardcore or third parties won't get Nintendo anywhere.

The requirements for a successful Nintendo console are different than for Sony/MS consoles.

If Nintendo wants to compete with a conventional console then they're going to have to step their game up. The online infrastructure and 3rd party support have to be fixed. They need to erase their kiddy image and market directly to core gamers.

Or they could just throw another curveball like the Wii and hope for the best.

Nintendo has kept having these problems but I believe they didn't take the internet all that serious because of their success without a dedicated network with the Wii. The XB1 proved that games don't always matter (at least in the short term) and I think key third party games would still be reluctant to jump aboard a powerful Nintendo console. They had very little success. Fallout, Elder Scrolls, GTA, and so on compete with Nintendo's own games at the end of the day. Nintendo will likely have to throw big money at them. Its not like they don't have it. They already proved that just because you have the largest installed base console and one of the most successful of all time, it doesn't mean you will get all the best third party games or in their example very little at all.

You mentioned cross-play, it is something that can't be mentioned enough. Nintendo comes off as a major anti-consumer when they make you buy the same copy of a game multiple times with very little (Nintendo Club Points) reward. This is problem that obvioulsy stems from their horrible online infrastructure. They have the best library fit for on the go play and for use of a Wii U controller and TV at home,through a 3DS, and so on.

Nintendo does need a universal online system with one account shared with your handheld and console and is full proof for future systems. It needs (as you said) use its talent to start a new developer to make new mature IPs. It also wouldn't hurt if they make a all in one on the go home console system. If they are going to continue what they have been doing, then its the only thing that I feel they can be forgiven for making another bold but great move since their handheld market has always been strong and now they are uniting their success with it, with their console.

Yeah that is clearly paying off right now lol.