How meaningful is a software attach ratio? Its only natural that systems with fewer games and a smaller install base will have higher software attachment ratios.

Anyway I think the notion is very much based in reality, most people buy a Wii U for one of Nintendo's key titles (Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Zelda, Xenoblade even?). That doesn't mean they don't pick up any other titles down the road but people buy Nintendo systems for only a few games and this is very evident in how most releases do almost nothing to boost hardware sales.

^ Basically this.

The reason you buy a nintendo consol (for me) is for the mario games & zelda games, that doesnt mean you dont buy a few others that look good along the way.

The reason I wrote that, was posted futher down.

Its because I belive the Wii U would have done better if it had had a "new & exclusive" Mario or a zelda game ready at launch.

"Why does this false notion persist?"

Because I dont belive it to be a false notion? Every consol has a reason why people buy it, and it varies from person to person.

However Im pretty sure the main reason people buy nintendo consols, is for zelda and mario, without those 2 games on a consol, ALOT fewer people would buy one.

Idk I think ur over generalizing, yes they are all video game devices but no they don't all compete with one another. It's like saying Taylor Swift's newest album is competing with the upcoming Slayer album. Ya they compete in the general sense that they are both CD's released at retail but they do not aim for the same demographic/audience and the success or failure of Taylor Swift does not affect Slayer in any way, shape or form.

Nintendo fans will buy Nintendo consoles not for mario or zelda specifically, but because it's Nintendo, simple.  Then there are those who are more priviledged and get them because they can.  Then there are those 'gamers' who know about Sony and Microsoft, but don't know a damn thing about Nintendo and never give it a second look because it's such a kiddy company.  But then they're introduced to games like Smash, or Pikmin, or Mario Party, or pokemon, or fire emblem, or mario kart, or many other nintendo unique games and they no better.  But that doesn't translate to sales because most gamers buy an xbox or playstation first and then they don't have enough money or care enough about nintendo to buy the console.  Yet, it doesn't stop these jerks from coming to my house and staying all hours of the night to play smash and mario kart and Mario party.  I have two amiibos, my friends have 3 or more of their own yet they still don't own the consoles.  dicks.

I think the fact that Nintendo's games aren't front heavy also reinforces it, at release games like Pikmin, DK and Hyrule Warrior saw relatively weak sales but they're now all million sellers or mere weeks from becoming so.

Also with PS4/X1, although there are obvious games Halo/Uncharted/COD/AC, there is also stuff like  Witcher 3, Dark Knight, Destiny, MGSV. Essentially the other third party stuff that sells hardware. In reality both Xbox (Sunset OD)and Playsation (The Order) have as many non event exclusives as Nintendo does, difference is they tend to push them harder and they're over shadowed by successful third party games

I think nintendo achieved something incredble, not sales wise but game wise and gotten a long way. I think they are soon at their peak of gaming. 

people didn't want to include it as a competitor because it smoked them both in the beginning and it just grew from there

Be in a league of their own doesn't mean its good for the company.

Would u care to elaborate what that means?

He probably means if sales are bad because they aren't in direct competition...with the competition.

Well I don't think Nintendo is in a dire position, but it's not favorable for them at them moment. However, I do feel Nintendo's quality for consoles is higher than the other 2. Not in terms of specs, but overall stability and innovation. My opinion of course.