or they are simply buying one or two games in LARGE numbers and not buying anything else. Considering how poorly most games do on the system, especially ones not made by Ninty this is the more likely case

The average Wii U owner buys 4.91 games while the average PS4 owner buys 4.51 games. Granted, these numbers may not be too reliable (it's vgchartz after all). Buying a game in large numbers doesn't really change the fact that they bought more games on average.

Wii U isn't doing that poorly if you compare its million sellers with the Vita library. The Wii U's problem is not games, but the small userbase itself. As for the reason why the Wii U isn't selling better... Well, there isn't one reason, there are many. Poor marketing, bad name, underpowered hardware, price, lack of third party support, etc.

Well, I think the easy answer to that question is that 5-7 years ago, developers had been dealing with HD development for 2-4 years. Nintendo had just as much difficulty with it as anyone else, and at this point (about 2 and a half years into the Wii U's life cycle) they don't have nearly as much trouble with it (as evidenced by NSMBU vs Pikmin 3 vs MK8 vs XCX vs YWW etc.)

Oh, so you're talking about why they hadn't become accustomed to it before Wii U's launch?

Well, why weren't developers ready for the PS3 and 360 when they were developing for the PS2, GCN and Xbox? It's really the same situation. I'm not saying Nintendo gets a free pass (because really, they should have been way more prepared) but they're only 1 company consistently splitting their development efforts between two platforms (one of which they support almost singlehandedly), so I can see why they were behind the curve.

I just want Nintendo to hit 15 million with the Wii U.

padib gets it. That was the exact statement I was alluding to in my original question. I can't give Nintendo clemency on this one. By the time Nintendo decided to make an HD console in 2009, the rest of the industry acclimated to HD development. Nintendo was also extremely profitable off the backs of the Wii and DS, which they entirely deserved (I never jumped on the "Nintendo abandoned me for casuals" bandwagon). If they had the foresight, or just read the situation correctly, they would've expanded to meet the needs of their 3 platforms of the time. (Remember from 2009 - 2012, Nintendo was juggling the Wii/DS/3DS until 2011 and then the Wii/WiiU/3DS from 2011 onwards).

How could they be prepared? I dont think making games for the PS3, 360 or PC was an option...

I agree with you, then. I was thinking from the perspective of them starting HD development and having to get used to it from then on, not that they hadn't started it early enough.

price wasn't the problem, marketing and the design were. the tablet controller is absurd and the name was a terrible idea as many casual gamers LOVED the Wiii's motions controls and were undoubtedly disappointed / confused when they found out that the Wii U, the successor of the Wii supposedly, had nothing to do with the prior system

the fact that you have to compare it to Vita shows just how poorly it is really doing. And it still hasnt passed the Vita yet in HW sold which is the big thing anyway and something people swore was supposed to happen two holidays ago. Oh I know its multiple reasons, anyone with sense knows that.