Buy a Wii U. NX won't come before 2017.

The NX was announced as the third pillar. Not something that replaces or competes with the Wii U or 3DS.

Of course, we don't know if things may change, but i can garantee that those thinking it will be a next-gen system more powerful than the PS4 are probably in for a disappointment.

If it is a sucessor, it will be a sucessor to the 3DS first and foremost. Maybe a portable that can connect to the TV.

It will definitly not be out next year, as if rumors are even correct dev kits only went out recently. So, with the  Wii U you got a full catalog and maybe some more stuff coming. With the NX you wont get anything until 2017 or you will get a very deficient line-up followed by drought.

I would get the Wii U myself, if theres stuff you really want.

I actually think its amazing how so many people assuming that NX is a new console simply repeated it so many times that people believe it to be true. It has no basis. Nintendo has said nothing of the sort. Its a lie until Nintendo tells us what the NX is.

Like the DS was a third pillar?  The Wii U was a flop and they are replacing it.  The NX will be replace the Wii U(http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-17-next-proper-metroid-prime-would-likely-now-be-on-nx) and it will be out in 2016.

As for the OP, I don't think the NX will be backwards compatible.  But, we'll probably have more news by march of next year, so depending on how tight your budget is, it may be worth waiting to be sure.

I don't expect the NX to be backwards compatible because I think it will be X86 or ARM and won't have a GamePad with a touchscreen. Software emulation is doubtful unless they let external experts do it.

Get a Wii U if you're interesting in enough games for it. Especially if you're man enough to play Splatoon against Japanese school girls

Not if the NX is backwards compatible. Then he'd do better jumping straight to that.

Unless you're easy with your money I think the safest thing at this point is to wait to the spring/summer where the NX will likely be revealed in full and a release year given. 

We've heard dozens of reports and patents regarding hardware and Nintendo's themselves having expressed desire to bridge the architecture between their handhelds and home consoles, something they can't do without releasing new hardware which feels that gap. Square Enix have said that they're considering DQXI for the NX, so thats as much confirmation you need as to whether its hardware or not

NX will be X86, no BC.

the WiiU bundle with Splatoon, and Smash is great. Then add MK8 with its DLC. you'll be fine. XCX is coming as well and there a ton of great games that the Wii U already have. So go for it. Worth the price.

I'm honest about this stuff because I think it's a douche move to put console politics in front of someone who is spending money; when I worked retail I was honest to buyers about this stuff even if I was a big Nintendo fan.

Buy a Wii U right now ... sure if $250-$300 is no big deal to you.

Also as you are a regular on this board you should no doubt understand the Wii U is a machine very likely to be replaced next year and has declining support from Nintendo at this point and virtually no third party support.

But it does have a handful of wonderful 1st party exclusives like Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Bayonetta 2, and Smash U.

IF you are ok with that, then have at it.

But don't come crying here in 10 months saying you got suckered into buying a Wii U and now you're shocked that Nintendo's future support seems to be all around the NX.

You knew what you were getting into. Buy one on the basis of the library it has right now and a few other games coming next year. But you've been given more than fair warning here that the NX is close. 

If price is an issue, one can always buy a refurbished Wii U from Nintendo for $200, and get what is practically an open-boxed, new, console with a one-year warranty. There are also bundles for $225 and $235. In fact, Nintendo has a Windwaker HD bundle for $235. 

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?productId=prod150200

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?categoryNav=true&navAction=jump&navCount=0&atg.multisite.remap=false&productId=prod590344&categoryId=cat570935

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?categoryNav=true&navAction=jump&navCount=0&atg.multisite.remap=false&productId=prod610428&categoryId=cat570935

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po/browse/productDetailColorSizePicker.jsp?categoryNav=true&navAction=jump&navCount=0&atg.multisite.remap=false&productId=prod560316&categoryId=cat570935

Honestly, if one can justify purchasing five games, I think the Wii U is worth the $200-300 they'll pay for the console, plus a free game or two. 

Considering that it is highly unlikely that the NX will be backwards compatible with all Wii U games, I think there isn't any issue with buying a Wii U and then waiting for NX to build up its library before purchasing one.