Shovelware is for casuals, we saw a lot of this on the Wii and we see it now on mobile.  By core I mean having a plentiful library of games like Zelda, 3D Mario, Metroid, a NEW Star Fox (not a glorified remake), Xenoblade etc.

I feel like the WiiU was targeted at both with what it offered, and the fact that they tried to reuse the Wii name reflects that.  Casuals are not coming back to home console, that was a one hit wonder.  I would imagine Nintendo sees that they have to pick a side, and core gamers are the only CONSISTENT consumer target they can go for.

Not saying casuals are not real gamers, I am saying their attention has moved on to other media and their gaminh priorities and interests differ.

They wanted to go after the ps360 crowd but when they realized that stronger consoles are going to come out they focused more on the casuals

First, a little clarification. "Core" and "hardcore" are not the same, just as "hat" and "hardhat" are not the same.

Second, I think there are certain elements in Nintendo's leadership that feel entitled to consumer support. I think they're often genuinely surprised from criticism or apathy. Their plan with the Wii U seemed to be that they'd throw a few bones out to core gamers and that would be enough to grab that market, too.

well said-  i think you are 100% correct

Not even Nintendo knew who they were gonna target.

When Nintendo first unveiled the Wii U, you'll remember that Reggie stated this console was made with "you" in mind. He said that this will be "your" console (that's why it's called Wii U). To this day it remains unclear exactly what he meant by that, but I think it's safe to assume he was trying to speak to Nintendo fans who felt somehow betrayed by the Wii. There was a sentiment that Nintendo abandoned the core Nintendo fanbase with the Wii to instead target the casual, non-gamer audience with games like Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Wii Music, etc. I think with the Wii U they were trying to tell these scorned Nintendo fans that this console was being made with them in mind.

Again, this is just my guess because Reggie's comments are very obtuse and it's difficult to determine exactly what he meant, but that's how I've always interpreted it.

I doubt anyone including Nintendo does know who their target audience is.

Yeah I think the target audience was the nintendo fan.

4years lateron and 13m sold.... you see that just isnt enough anymore.
Nintendo need to aim for a new audience.

I think it was aimed towards both gamers and kids, but it didn't do well with capturing either of those audiences.

Most young kids these days don't care that much about Nintendo, and if they are gaming, it's most likely on either a smart device, a PC, or probably a PS4.

I guess they did a little better for the core gamers, with games like Bayonetta, Smash, and XCX, but overall, Nintendo is giving us cery little faith to continue buying their products.

Wasn't Arkham City, Arkham Origins, Mass Effect, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Darksiders II, Zombi U, Assassin's Creed III, Assassin's Creed IV, Call Of Duty Black Ops II, Call Of Duty Ghosts, Tekken Tag 2, Need For Speed Most Wanted, and I'm sure a few other hardcore titles I'm forgetting also release first year? 

Basically, you missed a few.