The gamecube was sold at a profit from the start and also had bigger third party support.  Wii u was sold at a loss until recently and will likely be sold at a loss again in the future when they cut the price.  That makes your comparison faulty.  The profit from the gamecube was also very small, nintendo mostly survived off the success of the game boy during that generation, much like it mostly living off the 3ds now.  

While there is an outside chance of it selling 35 to 40 million, it is very small.  Comparing gamecube to wii u sales since launch, the wii u is tracking behind the gamecube.  The only real chance the wii u has to sell more is if nintendo keeps it on the market for long time without releasing a successor.  Something i really doubt will happen.  

I try to look forward, it is not usually the norm for Nintendo to bleed money, they are very frugal and strive for profits. The Wii U has cost them big time so far, but they have overcome one big hurdle by no longer losing money on Wii U hardware, thats a big step. With compelling software and the launch of the amiibo figures i expect an upturn in Nintendos fortunes. Wii U will never sell gangbusters, but could do modest numbers and net a profit in the long run, with 3DS being the main breadwinner. With the Wii U no longer being a drain on Nintendos cash reserves, they can finally see a bit of their 3DS profits as well. I also think Nintendo are making strides with their digital side of the business, and their user base are embracing this, and they are also starting to look into other ways of generating income eg QOL, use of IPs for non game related stuff etc. I know Nintendo have really fucked things up lately, but for me they are making the right moves to turn the ship around, i am genuinely optimistic and excited to see what they have in store. Sorry if i appeared argumentative, sometimes the doom and gloom gets a bit much :(

I agree with everything you said. I also want nintendo to get outta this rut they seem to be in (after all they the made the first couple of consoles i ever owned). I also feel they are at least trying to make the most outta a bad situation. Guess we should see how the next couple of years pan out.

Are you saying that the WiiU is only for kids?

REPORTED!

Weren't more than half of the Wii U's sales to date from the first Quarter after launch?

You are never too old for cookies and capri-sun, son!

I prefer Ribena.

Unfortunately Nintendo hasn't done much right this gen. They went the total OPPOSITE of the Wii philosophy.

The Wii U really appeals to no one... not even Nintendo fans. Super Mario 3D World and this new Zelda isn't what many Nintendo fans were asking for.

It's sad cause the Wii was my favorite system last gen.

So what saved the N64 and the GC? WiiU is selling worst than those 2.The WiiU does not need saving though, as the sales are what they should be for the outdated hardware, lack of appealing games/features and the price.Nintendo also isolated long time fans with tr casual focus of the Wii and are suffering the backlash.They just don't make good hardware so they would be better off as a third party company.

Sony did the same thing when the PS3 was in the gutter. Every week it was something like "lair is gonna show you what gaming is about"

If Nintendo is going to be saved it will be due to a large amount of great events happening at the same time. A great game released, new innovative tech, Sony and Microsoft shooting themselves in the foot, etc.