PS3 obviously

The PS3 had a way bigger library. Therefore the PS3. It sold much more for a reason.
Funny how both systems are their manufacturer's worst consoles.

This.

Software wise, Wii U was a decent console, VERY good relative to its install base. But PS3 with all its flaws still had an almost top-tier 3rd party support mixed with good and diverse 1st party content, and it's hard to top that.

PS3 easily. No contest whatsoever.

I’m not sure this comparison makes much sense. You couldn’t have two more different consoles in history. As a fan of Sony through the PS1/PS2 era I really felt they dropped the ball going into the PS3. Everything became clinical, they were trying to be some entertainment hub. It went from being cool to being “cool.” Even if Nintendo hadn’t released the much more fun Wii I wouldn’t have lined up to get a $600 multimedia system.

The WiiU had many problems, but they definitely didn’t leave any audiences behind. The audiences certainly left them, though. The WiiU was a joyful machine with new ways to play. I think if developers weren’t in a “we’re not supporting another wacky device from Nintendo” mode that we could have had at least a GameCube level success with the WiiU, which undoubtedly isn’t saying much.

One thing Nintendo did right with the Switch was to give in to that peer pressure and just make a regular controller with a regular control scheme and to rely on the hybrid nature of the system to differentiate it from Sony/Microsoft. The third parties have been much more apt to support, even if they got on board late. And it’s been pretty easy for them considering that the controllers of all three companies are basically the same.

Phat BC PS3 with free online was glorious but expensive.

Wii U had some great first party games, some of which are still being played today.

Seems pretty close but I might be biased against the PS3 for bricking on me. Still I played a few more JRPGs on PS3 than Wii U, so PS3 wins.

PS3 was a great system, sure it's first years where slow, but it got a long list of great games. Wii U in the other hand had some great first party games, but failed on many other accounts. It was pretty expensive for its specs and it just didn't get enough games to even make this a battle worth considering.

Wii U has a few of the greatest entries in Nintendo most popular series, it has BOTW and MK8 for example. Which is basically the only thing that makes it not a total waste.

Most are played on the vastly superior Switch though, since most of those games have a Switch version.