I thought it was going to be impossible to replicate the success of the wii, But I also trusted that nintendo knew what they were doing with alternative play styles. I expected approximately ps3 levels of success. I was wrong, of course.

I predicted 35 million

I wouldn't know as I wasn't actively looking at gaming news around when the Wii U was announced, but I would've probably expected success coming from the Wii, but of course, due to several factors, that obviously isn't the case :P

I'd say I probably expect the Wii U to sell about 16-17m at best by now, which honestly is pretty sad :(

Don't really get caught up in console sells or predictions.

I thought it would easily do better than the Gamecube.

Don't forget about Splatoon, which I can safely say is well on its way to becoming Nintendo's newest blockbuster IP, and for the shooter genre, no less.

And you wanna know something. I personally am so sick and tired of people who say 3D World is not a real 3D Mario game, or mainline Mario game.
Are you freaking kidding me? Are you really that butthurt over the fact that it isn't Galaxy 3 or a sequel to 64?
Is FF XV not a real Final Fantasy because it's not turn based?
If the game is high quality, polished, and just fun to play, than why should it matter?

You are playing as Mario in a 3D environment. You have power ups (which are utulized FAR better in 3D Land/World than they ever were in 64 or Galaxy), there are stars to collect, you are going through a level by manipulating the level with your platforming skills. It's the first 3D Mario game to make use of multiplayer.
It is a Mario game in the third dimension, whether you like it or not. And a DAMN good one at that!
So deal with it!

I initially expected to sell around 50m.

Mario 3D World is AAA game, Zelda U, Donky Kong TF, Mario Kart 8, Smash Bros, are all AAA Nintendo games, same like Lego City Undercover, W101, Pikmin 3, Bayonetta 2, Splatoon, Yoshi Wolly World, Xenoblade X, Fatal Frame V...

I figured it would be a third placer. I don't like to predict failures, maybe possibly winners, but usually I just do placements. The Wii U to me was too expensive for what it was.

From begining i expected it to bomb i knew it will be weker than last gen consoles