If NX releases next year, you should definitely wait to get a Wii U. Even if NX isn't BC, and you want to play Star Fox and Zelda, because the Wii U will be cheaper after the NX launches. Of course, if money isn't a problem, then just go for it.

First Party IP doesn't make it a First Party game, necessarily. Hyrule Warriors is a Dynasty Warriors spinoff using the Zelda IP. TW101 is only Nintendo-owned because they funded the development - it was Platinum Games that actually created the IP.

And the fact that you can play the other games on other systems is rather irrelevant - most third party titles on Xbox One or PS4 are on both platforms (and many of the exceptions are at least part-funded by either Sony or MS), but you'd still consider them to be relevant considerations to the system. More importantly, you said "there's a couple of great games". If you'd said "there's a couple of great exclusives", you might have been a little closer to having made a reasonable comment.

I used Metacritic purely to demonstrate in a relatively objective way that great games are present on the Wii U in larger numbers than you're willing to admit. And in doing so, I completely ignored the long list of quality first-party titles, because I focused on your claim that there aren't any great third party Wii U titles (again, you said nothing about "exclusive"). So even if you want to cut out all of the multiplatform titles, you're still left with far more than "a couple" of great games on the Wii U.

Also note that STAGE specifically mentioned Twilight Princess HD as a title that has caught his interest. If exclusivity was what was necessary to make a game worth getting for the Wii U, then TP wouldn't matter, since it can be played on two other systems.

1) $250 with two games included that usually retail for $50 to $60 is a good deal dude.  You are basically getting the console for $130.  It's also just flat out the cheapest 8th gen console out there.

2) I don't think "very likely" is really accurate.  I would personally give it a 50/50 chance.  But as I pointed out earlier, the thing may not be BC.  Which would mean that not buying a Wii U could result in completely missing out on the games on Wii U he wants to play.  

3) "A handful" is not accurate.  Games received well include Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, New SSuper Mario Bros U, Wind Waker HD, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Wonderful 101, ZombiU, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros, Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2, Captain Toad, Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi's Wooly World; and games coming out that have a lot of potential include Xenoblade Chronicles X, Genei Ibun Roku #FE, Star Fox, Zelda, Pokken Tournament.  And all of these are exclusive (except ZombiU has had a watered down port on other platforms).  I think that's a good number of well received titles, numerous of which are highly regarded.  There are also some excellent indie exclusives out and coming.  It is really a question of taste and how broad one's palate is.  Obviously, if it is super narrow, half the Wii U's appeal is lost.

3) I wouldn't be recommending the Wii U to him if he didn't already say he had a PS4.  Wii U is a secondary console through and through and functions well there as a supplement, bringing its own unique experiences.  If you have a PS4, lack of third party support isn't a factor.

As for the whole thing of NX and all Nintendo's support going there in one two two years, depending on the launch, that is certainly a possibility.  But I recommend it because I %100 believe the backlog is worth it IF you have another primary platform right now.  If you don't have a PS4, Xbone, or strong PC, I would recommend one of those over the Wii U.  But once you have one of those, I think the Wii U is currently a better supplementary console option than the PS4 or Xbone.  Those aren't bad, not at all.  They just haven't got the exclusive backlog yet.  Next year they may.  Just not now.

That's all fine, but I personally don't believe in messing around with people's money. When I worked at retail I made that rule for myself that I wouldn't push say a Nintendo product on someone if they're telling me they're into something else for example. If $300 is something he's going to complain about in a year from now when it's quite possible that the NX is launching ... then he should know that going in IMO. 

He should know what he's getting into. This is a platform that likely is nearing the end of its meaningful support from Nintendo and has no third party support basically. 

If he's OK with that and $250-$300 is no big deal .... like I said ... great.

Just don't come on here 8-10 months from now complaining that you got suckered into buying a Wii U and now Nintendo's focus is all on the NX, which undoubtedly will be a more powerful piece of hardware. You had ample warning before hand. That's all I'm saying, I don't want to see a post 8 months from now saying "I should have saved that $250 for the NX instead, Nintendo screwed me". No, you had full warning before hand. The Wii U is basically what it is, it's not going to get much better than where it is now. If you're OK with that and believe that's worth $250 to you personally, then go for it. 

While I don't think NX will be directly backwards compatible, I suspect a good chunk of the Wii U's important back catalog will be ported to the NX. 

Oh, I get what you're saying.  I jut wanted to be clear on both sides, the pros and con's.  It's a balancing act.  And I get the bit about not messing with other people's money, I'm generally very careful both with my money and with recommending things.  I just wanted to lay out some info that might be missing.

All speculation. It's not what they said.

It can have shifted towards it, but we don't know. For me it doesnt make sense for them to make a new home console.

Wait for a price drop or a great discount. I don't recommend to pay full price for it. You will regreat soon.

I am 95% sure that the NX will not play Wii U games. Just to many things that would make it to difficult

I've been reading U your posts, S.T.A.G.E. You're a classic man. I could be mean if I looked that clean. My thing is you seen pretty independent, educated, and capable of making a decision when it comes to your money. Me? I wouldn't ask these users what kind of dressing I'd use for my salad. No offense, guys.

So why the sudden need for WiiU approval? Buy or buy not. There is no do.

If NX has BC, you could always sell the Wii U system once NX launches and keep the WiiU games you already own.

Searching around for good deals, you can snag a WiiU with physical copy of a high-quality game for about $250. I figure you can still sell the system by itself for about $150-$200 in 2016/2017 -- especially since I don't think current WiiU owners will necessarily to be in a rush to dump the system