In my book, a necessary condition for a "Hardcore Nintendo console" is that at least one "Sin & Punishment" title is available on that console, So, yes I would buy one, even though I am an MS fan. (I also bought and still own a Wii for that reason.)

I'd be willing to make that trade! (Even though I'd be only cautiously optimistic sans Mikami.)

I think the Wii U , by software, is "hardcore".

Except that the terrible sales are making 3rd parties leave, which makes it less hardcore by the month. On the hardware side....almost I would say. The main controller makes it less appealing at first glance. Certain features require use of it too, like the eShop. There's no wide-spread voice chat. Certain games should have online but don't. (Hyrule Warriors, Pikmin 3 ect.) And finally, no Trophy system.

Though, for me, in-game trophies ect are still great, but it would be nice to see all in one app.

Pro Controllers are just impossible to find not online in London.... :/

I would if it could match the PS/XB platforms in terms of hardware / power, software library, and multimedia features / capabilities.

The GameCube was the last "hardcore" console that Nintendo put out (despite the purple lunchbox design). It had cutting edge graphics when it was released, and a healthy library of 1st 2nd and 3rd party games of all genres.

The Wii U is not a "hardcore" console... it's a Wii HD with several half-assed 3rd party ports of a select few franchises like AC or COD, along with a few niche exclusives like Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101. It tried too hard to maintain the casuals that made the Wii popular but have since moved on to greener pastures, and as a result it has failed to impress both casual and "core" gamers alike.

I usually get Sony and Nintendo (skipped NGC for various reasons). I think of WiiU as hardcore as it has some of the hardest games this gen especially if you count 100% completion. I will buy 3rd party for whichever one runs it more stable and at a higher resolution and generally plays better on. I love the parallel design on the controller's joysticks and I hope Nintendo sticks with it next gen and if so I'll gladly play my 3rd party on theirs if it's better looking on theirs.

I would still buy PS5 because I actually value Sony's exclusives over 3rd party and Nintendo exclusives and I would probably still spend the most time on it with free games and all the first party stuff I love but it would be pretty even if all the 3rd party were bought for Nintendo. I like my trophies but not enough that I would not buy the best version of the games.

The only thing is I normally buy Nintendo systems at $200 or less just because I don't perceive their value to be as high as Sony ones. I only got a WiiU when it was $200 refurbished (looked new) so if it were $400 like a PS5 or something I may have to stick with the PS5 for a couple years. Then again Nintendo has done more powerful for less before with Gamecube so I could buy it sooner.

To summarize the only things that may change if this scenario were to play out would be me buying 3rd party on Nintendo instead of Sony (if they were the best versions) and possibly buying it later (depending on price).

I would be way into it if they would make a hardcore system. I don't see why they don't, I understand Nintendo digs innovation but in the end we love their games more than quirky hardware. get back to the basics. I know Gamecube was fairly decent specs compared to its competition and did poorly, but the original NES and SNES dominated and were fairly 'hardcore' for their time

even the N64 had pretty good specs when compared to the PS1

I say make a system with a great regular controller (why not just go back to the Gamecube one), hot competitive specs, and a bunch of the same great titles. easy and clean

in reality you over valuing Playstation systems though. their internal hardware and components just are not particularly expensive (especially when comparing them to what you can buy parts at for building your own computer). 

 Nintendo and the Wii U at least have the excuse that they have a fancy controller

I don't buy Sony for the hardware I buy them for the exclusives.  Same with Nintendo.  Sony just happens to have the 3rd party support out of the 2.  If Nintendo starts doing that better I would buy it on them I just buy those on whoever of the 2 has better.

Depends completely on what Sony does.

Free games and discounts = crap? Huh Well the more you know.