The next Pokemon RPG after X or whatever would take forever to be made if every game is held to Wii U graphics ot better now. over 700 Pokemon models and hundreds of attack animations is thei first hurdle. I don't see GameFreak supporting this unless Intelligent system, Monolith, and EAD help them out.

And what's your LT prediction of 3DS and Wii U? Because fusion needs to outsell both of those combined. Other wise a good handheld and a Nintendo home consoles with poor sales will still be the model.

Fellow fusionites need to remember, that with the loss of a platform, it also means  loss of software sales. (typical ninty low dev cost, big sales = huge profit, no matter the failing platform)

So Ninty will need an additional stream of revenue, and that's where a new subscription service will come in.  I believe Ninty will keep online play free, but will give great value to a NiNetwork service, which will be their new method of distributing their vast catalog w/unlimited access,  discount for DLC, etc.  The question for me is, will Ninty keep the antiquated virtual console around for those that want to "own" their digital games.

If rumors are true about  new 3ds having the ability to replace the Wii U gamepad, we'll basically have a "dating period" before they "marry" or official Fusion takes place.    The ironic thing about Nintendo supporting itself with the fusion method, is I actually think 3rd parties will want to support a unified Ninty platform. Rather than the split HH/console market, 3rd parties will feel secure about a stable and sizable userbase, that consists of older "hardcore" Ninty gamers.  Fusion may be unique enough to attract PSXB fans as well.  It'll be funny to see the 3rd parties come back, even though Ninty would "not need them", technically.

Don't do one for Microsoft.

ok XD

the whole point is that they wont need the western AAA titles in this scenario. having a unified handheld/console will allow them to increase there software output by not having to support two completely different platforms. add to that strong Japanese 3rd party support Nintendo handhelds always get, child friendly western titles, tons of indies and u have urself a device with a plethora of titles to choose from.

Even if Nintendo makes a fusion console,d devs won't develop for it because it's too weak. And again, the PlayStation and Xbox people will bash OT because it's too weak. A combination of those 2 will again result in bad reputation, like all Nintendo consoles.

devs will support it, Nintendo handhelds have always had strong Japanese 3rd party support and a ton of games based on kids movies/shows. look at 3ds for example its at 45 million from Nintendo IP, hardcore Japanese titles, child friendly western games and growing indie support.

by having a unified handheld/console where all games are playable on either device, Nintendo consoles will once again have strong third party support, just not the same kind PS/XB consoles are use to.

Ideally my launch would be something like this 

May 2016 (Japan) - Animal Crossing Next + Nintendo Amiibo Universe

June 2016 - F-Zero Fusion (smaller budget title)

July 2016 - Monster Hunter 5 or Yokai Watch 3

August 2016 - Super Mario Galaxy 3 

September - Xenoblade X (Wii U port)

October - Luigi's Mansion 3

November - Dragon Quest XI (Japan?)

December - Mario Kart 9

I think those dates are achievable too. The Animal Crossing team wrapped AC will have had 3 years to work on the next installment. The main EAD Tokyo group will have had 2 1/2 years to work on Mario Galaxy 3. Next Level will have 2+ years to work on Luigi's Mansion 3. 

Mario Kart 9 team will have about 2 1/2 years to work on MK9. Give them some extra staff if they need it. 

If they plan smartly now they can have a first year window that looks like this. 

I think the LTD would be around 80 million if things go well, which is more than enough to make a sizable profit unless Nintendo decides to try in stupid gimmicks/expensive propietary chips that drive the cost of the hardware up. There is unfortunately only so much that can done against tablets/phones, that's just going to continue to be a thorn in Nintendo's side. They have to work harder and much smarter from now on. 

Shouldn't it release near the fall where video game systems sell better? And I think having handheld like games at launch would be better since Nintendo handhelds have better selling power than home console. The second year line up could have console like games (F-Zero and Galaxy 3) with more handheld like games released in between them (I'm defining handheld like games as retro RPGs, Super Mario Land, and Link Between Worlds versus console games like Super Mario 3D World, Xenoblade X, and Skyward Sword/Zelda U).

If you believe Fusion can sell 80 mil LTD, then you believe 3DS + Wii U is < 80-90 mil LTD? Let say Wii U happens to sale 20 mil. Are you limiting 3DS sales to 60-70 mil LTD?

I don't think releasing in the fall is actually the defacto best way to do it. Launching earlier gives you a chance to build an install base for the holiday season and build up supply inventory so (if things go well) you're not stuck without systems to sell come December, as often tends to be the case. The home console variant could release in November though, let the handheld one come first in May. 

Then you get two big boosts in your first 6-8 months ... your early adopters buying at launch and then you get another big boost for the holiday, if you manage the period in between to keep momentum high, this is preferable to launching in November, having the early adopters take all the systems and not having much or any left for regular consumers. 

I think Wii U will cap off around 19 million and 3DS at about 75 million. But I think in the coming years, tablets/phones will continue to eat away at Nintendo's audience, so they will have to put up a gargantuan level of fight just to get to 80 mill next time out. It will get harder not easier from here on out, kids are introduced to phone/tablet gaming these days from like the age of 2/3. Hopefully for them either amiibo or Quality of Life also becomes a nice supplementary business. 

I suspect Nintendo will look to get into animated movies in the next 5 years too (those Pikmin short films are probably a testing ground).