Thing is that's beyond the scope of the OP. From the POV of helping the Wii U it is suboptimal, and while it will increase the softwares overall sales and boost 3DS, it doesn't make sense from a big picture point of view because the Wii U is in greatest need of help and increasing the base before the console has peaked ensures the most sales of software in total. Assuming they still care to support it.

This lends cresedence to the idea that Nintendo has given up on the Wii U, or at the very least can't adequatly support these two platforms.

Nintendo is in a really really terrible position right now.

Regardless, the MK8 has to be credited to SOME extent for the fact that in around half a year's time, Wii U has sold around 1 million units. Did it have the IMEDIATE megaton impact many of us thought it might? No. And that does suck. But Wii U sales have been very funky most of the time anyway. If you stop to consider the 2013 that Wii U had, and that MK8 is a highly regarded game that has sold around 3 million at least by now (physical, not even counting digital), yes, I'd have to say that helping to push it to another million is pretty good overall.

Beyond that, MK8 isn't done selling, for sure, and I do think there will be another MK8 "holiday boost", as in it will help the system with at least one last major blip before totally leveling off. As for Smash Bros.? I STILL think the 3DS version was a major mistake on Nintendo's part, if there had only been a Wii U version, then there would only be HYPE for the Wii U version, and all the time and resources could have gone to just the Wii U version, and nothing would have had to be cut because of silly 3DS limitations, etc. etc. etc. I DO think that SB Wii U will sell better than some expect, a few million over it's LT, but I think that the release of the 3DS version, especially BEFORE the Wii U version, will to some degree sabatoge the Wii U game's sales.

When you stop to consider that SB Wii U is THE major release of the holidays for Wii U, it just stands to reason that if the Wii U game were the only version to exist, the hype for it would be far bigger than it is. It doesn't help that the 3DS version has much the same content, and all the characters and many of the trophies, etc., will have been already been "spoiled" long before the Wii U version arrives. I am sure (HOPE) that the Wii U version is going to have plenty of it's own exclusive content, beyond just different stages, and I REALLY hope it has a sizeable and worthwhile Adventure Mode. But the fact cannot be argue that the 3DS version's existence, at least on SOME level, is going to be a detriment to the Wii U game.

Having said all that, yes, I do still think SB Wii U (god DAMN it needs a real title), will sell well, and will help give Wii U a sizeable boost. If Nintendo was smart, along with STEPPING UP THE GODDAMN ADVERTISING, they'd also have a bundle/combo deal, where people could get a Wii U with MK8 and SB still for $300. Make it limited time, whatever you want, but I think that kind of deal would intice many on the fence gamers to buy the system. 

[b I still think Wii U has a very solid chance to at least reach/surpass 8 million by the end of the year. It would be nice to be surprised and see it get an explosion and hit 9 million or more, but I would also be a bit surprised if it didn't at LEAST hit 8 mil. by the end of December.

Well thats my point. If they have given up then it makes perfect sense to do this move. They could have easily put out the 3ds version later or even same date as WIi U(thats what i thought they were going to do) they didnt do those things so i think they gave up. They are going to support Wii U but i think they are done trying to sell it to people who arent interested in it.  IMHO even if there wasnt a 3ds version it still wouldnt have made much of a difference. Mario Kart is a much bigger franchise and it didnt boost it to great lengths and the system still dropped to 30k range after a few weeks. Not great. 

On a side note as a gamer i dont see why this bothers people so much. YOu are still getting your game on WIi U uncompromised. and people with a 3ds that dont want WIi U can enjoy or even check out the Smash series. As a huge fighting fan i love having these types of games on the go.

I personally don't want to believe that they aren't supporting the Wii U to the best of their ability. Sure more Smash gamers can get the game, hell Smash is my one of my all time favorite Nintendo franchises, but what about the Wii U gamers?

I eventually want to buy the system, but frankly this doesn't seem to me like the same company that made the Gamecube. Maybe the Wii success made them a little cocky, and well we all know what happens when you get cocky.

Edit: On a side note, Iwata refusing his bonus salary because of Wii U sales but then trading Wii U sales for Smash 4 sales suggest ignorance, recklessness, or both. Perhaps, he was beholden to the board, but that is honestly wishful thinking.

I am a firm believer that WiiU won't be capable of passing the 10M mark this year. And that in fact is because of the 3ds version hurting the wiiU version by the reasons I mentioned on my OP. I'm not even taking consideration of the major improvements WiiUs version of the game offers, but if many fans will actually take that in consideration...And unlike many here paint it, SSB has a very competitive loyal fanbase, but that is roughly what? 100k people? I myself play Tekken games, but I wouldn't buy a expensive console just to play this game for example. Loyal hardcore competitive fans will certainly buy a WiiU just for that game, but the casual players won't really buy a new console if they own a 3ds.

@bold: also interesting how people seem to give up on the sales war so easily. Just a few months back people were full of joy that WiiU was ahead of XBO and now it doesn't matter anymore as long as Nintendo is making profit. But turns out that profit numbers are even more vague than actual data from the chartz.