The way I see it is this: the Wii was an experiment for Nintendo, to attract a different audience and expand their market.
They experienced a huge success, but in doing so lost some of the support they had taken for granted in the past.
The Wii U is an attempt to recapture some of that support, and redirect their business model at the core market.
Whether they succeed or not is up for debate, but I can safely say Nintendo's next next console (i.e. the one after the Wii U) will be the culmination of their past ten years in research, development and experiences in the gaming industry.
It won't carry the Wii name, it won't be underpowered and it won't suffer from the implications they have had in the past.
It will likely be their best console ever created - it's just a shame the Wii U is a necessary step to reach it.
Don't get me wrong, I anticipate this year's E3 and what the system will offer, but I can't help but wonder what their next home console will be like.
It's a bad habit, I know, but something tells me whatever they do next will be extra special.
Hey, if they make a bomb on the Wii U like they did with the Wii, then they certainly have the money to realise the ultimate console for next generation.
I feel like the 'U is just a preparation, maybe even a stop-gap for their next effort in console based gaming.
Because let's face it, it is a Wii 2, to a large extent.
It's not something entirely different - it's like the 3DS is to the DS.
Sure, far more capable, improved features and a new selling feature (Tablet/3D), but it's an evolution of their past system.
Next time, I want to see something entirely different.