We still don't know too much about the Switch. If it ends up having a good price, good enough library of games and gets marketed properly then there's no way it ends up  being another WiiU.

I can already tell that the gflop era focused gamers will be surprised by what the system can do! So many people are focused on the sheer calculations of what this device is rumored to do versus what it will actually be able to display on the screen. Even in comparison for hardware efficiency, the Switch is way more modern than both the PS4 and XbOne, these systems are based on 2011 AMD gpu's so how does this account for nothing to most here!

People were literally comparing the visuals of many Vita titles to PS3 games and yes even though the PS3 games still looked better in those situations. The Vita is running at 30 gflops or less while PS3 is 200+ gflops. So why do people assume that a very modern designed Switch can't run PS4 and XbOne games just because it's gflop number might be this or that in undocked/docked mode? Clearly this is turning a blind eye to what history has already shown us on how efficiency can play a major role into what is perceived to be possible or not on a platform.

switch will be the next nintendo wii

Even in portable mode Switch will have 4-6x more RAM than PS3/Xbox360, and more capable and much more modern GPU/CPU. Basically even in portable mode real world performance will be around 1.5-2x of Wii U.

Thanks to Japan alone, the Switch will do way better than the WiiU.

Why I think Nintendo Switch is set for another Wii U disaster?

Power.

Very original.

I think the price will be the main factor. If it cost more than $250,- people will buy a PS4 instead because it's way more cheaper, more powerfull and an unlimited games library...

PS4 is way cheaper than $250????

Since I first saw the video presentation in october I always thought it would not be a success. Sub par graphical power, too many complicated controls, poor third party support, low quality aspect of the console itself, not enough power for the gamer community, too much gamer designed for the casual crowd, also the casuals have really really really moved on from traditional gaming.

To me the Switch is trying too much to please everybody, but it won t please anyone (besides those who anyway would have been pleased by anything Nintendo makes).

And that decision of having only one device instead of two?
They should have gone with two devices, one portable, one for the TV, both built on the same technology but the home one being way more powerful. Have a shared library of games.
Now anyway the developpers will have to build 2 versions of their games for their games since the docked and handheld are so different in processing power, but both are really underpowered anyway.

The problem with these sorts of arguements is that they assess the Switch based on how it will appeal to the PS4/Xbone niche. They ignore the fact that this is not what the Switch is. It's not limited to the PS4/Xbone style console niche.

So where is Switch getting its players:

1. The dedicated handheld market. This market has shrunk from the DS period as over the last decade mobile has become a factor, but it is still a gigantic market segment, and despite very negative (false) press over 3DS's 3D feature causing seizures and brain damage in children, it still managed to top this generation's gaming platforms.

2. Despite not having the specs of XBone and PS4, it is still going to grab anyone who wants the current Nintendo home console, even if it is only 10-12 million, it's still 10-12 million more on top of everything else they're taking.

3. Mobile, Nintendo is leveraging mobile to vastly improve the visibility and relevance of their brand. And while it is not certain if Switch has leaned more into the mobile market than Nintendo platforms have in the past, the hardware is by far the most suitable to do so of any of the dedicated gaming platforms. Nintendo has one of the most powerful brands in mobile after a year, and they're just taking their first babysteps into that industry, and it's apparently a very good fit after testing the waters. Mobile is Switch's wildcard.

4. Games, with the Wii U Nintendo had effectively exshausted their creative juices. Creatively, Nintendo has been in hibernation, and this isn't the first time this has happened, but perhaps the most significant. With the N64 we saw a rapid change in what Nintendo games looked like. After the middle of the N64 generation, Gamecube was a derivative and lackluster stopgap machine, with not really much in the way of Nintendo offerings aside from a handful of minor hits. It wasn't until the Wii that we saw a very fresh and creative looking Nintendo again, and with much more software.

Another factor on games, with the Wii, Nintendo went right up until the end with releasing big software. With the Wii U, Nintendo had nothing new to show after year 1, except some highly experimental titles that felt a little half baked. So Nintendo is going into the Switch with a lot more muscle behind their software. Also consider that the handheld division is now ALSO developing for the Switch.

In short, the Switch has a much further market reach than the Wii U. The Wii U was competing short handed in a limited niche market. The Switch has much broader wings, more room to sore, and more muscle to fly.