In no small part due to their handhelds.

Sonys woes are due to their other failing products, not the PS4. Nintendo is only failing with their home console, and the 3DS and 3DS software sales help minimize the damage. (like PS4 does for Vita).

It isn't at all comparable.

Er, what? The philosophy behind the wiiu was exactly the same as the wii. Create a controller that the masses will like and will buy you console for and keep the console weak to make sure it's cheap enough for the casuals. It was an idea that was praised to death when it was revealed, only to be criticized to death by the same people when sales were lower than expected. Ninty and many of its fans thought it was a great idea because tablets were and still are incredibly popular with the masses and wii was successful despite being weaker than ps360. Things didn't go as expected but the emphasis on the casuals was the same. 

Oh for sure but its still well known that Nintendo had a very profitable Gamecube and N64 even though their sales weren't even close to the competitors.

haha I was using a phone, nice catch.

It's a two part problem.
Nintendo has indeed lost focus on what they need to do. However, they are getting back on track, I believe with amiibo and the "return to the core". Nintendo knows, as I've known, that disruption cannot continue. I predicted this way back when http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=141151&page=1

I said they are going to be releasing some awesome games, but because of their focus on hitting the casual audience, it's going to crap the system. I also said in another thread (many others) that disruption can only last for so long. I often asked, "after wii, what can you possibly change to innovate". I often derided the vitality sensor, and hoped they would return to the core. Even Iwata had hoped that wiiU would reintroduce the core http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/125669/Iwata_Wii_Us_More_Conventional_Controller_Brings_The_Core_Back_To_Nintendo.php

But the problem is the exact same problem that x1 is going through right now. You can't target EVERY demographic. They stretched themselves thin by trying to do both, and it's cost them. PS4 on the other hand did just a simple console with casual software features like web2.0 stuff. Traditional controller, no real major changes.

Anyway, back to the point, they need to focus on what the current market likes. They like traditional core games with a casualized edge. Look at all the most popular games right now. THey're all a casualized version of a more core game. Those rts phone games, hearthstone, cod, etc. They're all very pick up and play where pretty much anyone can jump in and have fun. Metroid other M was not this. Look at the plethora of metroidvania games coming out on steam. There's a suite of them. Gamers WANT it, but they want something more modernized than simple platforming.

On one hand, you're right, a gamer shouldn't support a game just because it's in their franchise. However, turning it around, it's the company's job to make gamers want to buy the game in their franchise, REGARDLESS of their preferences. If a new Tropico comes out, and people say it's not that good, I will STILL get it because it's my favorite city builder.

However, onto the second part of the problem:
Nintendo doesn't make bad games. So it's not like people aren't supporting the game because it's bad. They're not supporting because they've stopped caring. Like I said, look at New Super Mario Bros wii and ds. Almost 30m in sales. 26m to be accurate. Galaxy barely broke 11m. Is it because galaxy is bad? No. Galaxy is a GREAT mario game. THe problem is, Super Mario 1 for the NES has their fans by the balls. Like I said, people I know will see mario, and instead of buying the new game, will go out and buy a used nintendo and mario 3. Because that is where their heart is. Nintendo has lost the Passion of their gamers. Do you understand what I'm trying to say here? Call of Duty fans will rush out and buy 5m first day. Activision has their audience by the "dick". It's a sad fact, but it's true. Nintendo has the heart, but the new ips have the balls.

Nintendo will be most successful if they can make people want to support their games. Making good games alone is not enough. There are hundreds of good games on steam and they are quality. Honestly, I think N is too polite. I think they're too humble. They need to be aggressive and exciting.

I'm sorry, he looks almost like Will Smith clone lol. No offense! xD

Edit: Seriously. Almost PS4 games are trying to be cinematic cgi not all about gameplay. I hate watching cutscenes, it makes me drop my controller & stare at the screen. Why can't they make games like Half-Life 2 or Bioshock Infinite?

Nintendo is out of luck that lost third party support, but i don't care, i still buying Wii U games exclusively like Zelda or Xeno or Kirby etc.

Yup. Completely agree with the OP. Everyone says it is only about the games but this gen proves that people DO care about quality and price/performance of their hardware as well.

Indeed. My curiosity stems from what quantifies as a "failure" in terms of software to him? In addition, is this a knee-jerk reaction towards Order's metacritic? Also, if Order's metacritic is accounted for, would it be safe to assume games like Second Son and Shadowfall are failures?

I don't know about that. I don't think we ever got separate figures for the consoles and handhelds.

I think that nintendo could reignite that passion you're talking about but I guess we'll see. I pretty much agree with you.