Time for an initial verdict:
My Wii U arrived yesterday (£249.99 - a steal!), set up was a bit cumbersome if I'm honest... however once that was out of the way its clear that there's been a lot over overly negative reporting about the wii u.
Controller: Way lighter than i was expecting and really comfortable. The UK demo pods have the pad on a really heavy steel spring which makes it feel terrible... I was pleasently surprised. The screen is bright and responsive and, so far, if there's any lag between the controller streams and the TV it's not noticeable. This is also the first controller ever where i can hold both sticks and rest fingers on both triggers comfortably. it looks a bit fisher price, but is otherwise perfect.
System Software and OS: Miiverse is super, super addictive and a ton of fun... and has a really great community feel. For me, Miiverse is the first console feature in years that has felt genuinely fresh - and i will take sharing (and seeing) the passion other games pour into Miiverse over comparing trophy lists any day. I have had more fun interacting with gamers on Miiverse in a few hours than in several years of trying to find the sense of community in PS Home (just as a for instance).
The OS takes time to switch from app to app, but the bitching about this is really exaggerated.... it's a few seconds. The only software that takes longer to open on my console is the e shop.... however if you think of what the PS3 and 360 dashboards used to be like... its certainly leagues ahead of the PS3 at launch... I only point that out because it's obvious with a few tweaks this could be really, really nice to use.... and those tweaks will certainly be coming. There's afew inconsistencies in navigation and UI, but no showstoppers.
Being able to open the browser and Miiverse in-game is just brilliant... it just works and I was surprised at what a difference it makes. By the way the browser seems FAST!
Nintendo Network: A littble bit like PSN, Nintendo network broiadly describes a range of online features, some of which integrate with each other and some don't. I hve been pleasantly surprised by this too... Its a very Nintendo take on online features, but it feels fresh... and considering Nintendo's online experience, they have done a better job than Sony did at the launch of their first HD / fully networked home console. It is an evolution of the Wii's online, but the changes and additions make this feel more connected and robust than that ever did. Wara Wara plaza is a really cool idea and it's fun just scrollling around seeing peoples comments. That you can see what people are playing, their comments and link straight to the e shop is a very savvy marketing tool.... and will do a lot to expose new and smaller titles to the masses.
Graphics: TBH this is where I start to get annoyed with how the press are reporting. Wii U's current games have been developed on incomplete hardware and new tools... and the press are holding them up against games on systems where developers have 6, 7, even 8 years of optimizing (if you count the devs working on software before launch) - you have to be completely retarded not to realize the Wii U will improve by just as much as the HD twins did over it's life. Beyond that, there's some really nice effects in the likes of Nintendo Land... and something very, 'crisp' about the lighting in some games.
One other point - on paper the PS3 has a weak ram set up, poor GPU and overly complex CPU. If all you did was look on the specs and discuss it on gaf,... and yet it plays Uncharted 2 and 3... lets stop willy waving over specs on paper and just enjoy some games...
Hardware: the console itself is pretty bland in terms of design but feels well built and sturdy. as you know its about an inch or less 'deeper' than an xbox 360 S from front to back, about 1/3rd less high and about the same width as a wiii. It's neat but unexciting in terms of styling. Nintendo probably call it understated, but the design is a touch dull. The plastic will collect every spec of dust and finger print in your home... but beyond that this feels as robust as any Nintendo system - and they've all been built like tanks.
Games: I only have Nintendo land on disc and I'm currently trying to decide what to buy (likely Mario and ZombiU)... Nintendo land has been a mixed bag, but the aesthetics are brilliant... so much fan service (although it feels a touch like they had one eye on little big planet when coming up with the visual style in places - burlap trees anyone? I got goosebumps when I heard the Zelda theme

, Also tried the Rayman Demo, SOOOOOO pretty, but I probably would buy Mario over it. Sonic racing transformed, there's something different to the 360 version? Not sure whether it is just the Wii U video out, but it looks different somehow and not in a bad way. Whatever it is is subtle though.
To sum up: So far I am delighted and can't wait to see how the system grows over time... I wonder how many people bitching about the Wii U even have one... it's weird that on Miiverse the consensus seems to be 'what's the problem'?
People are writing this off in favour of the promise of better graphics (aren't we tired of that yet? We KNOW what unreal games are going to look like next gen - draw a straight line from today, add some more particles and lighting and better textures... then probably play the exact same experiences you can get today, but in 1080p). Are you really so shallow as a so-called gamer (i'm guessing you're not on GAF because you like flower arranging... humour me) that this is all that matters to you?
Given what's already been announced there's plenty coming out to justify the price of a Wii U and even if that was all thats coming (and it's clearly not) you can look forward to some great games.
All in all it appears there's been a lot of unfair bitching about Wii U - just because it dares to be different and not follow the linear path that that eveyone else is pushing us down. If all you want is endless COD and Gears clones then this system isn't going to be for you. Real gamers should embrace this system, it gives you the chance to experience things in either new or different ways and it is obvious that Nintendo will deliver a ton of unique experiences. In short: if you consider yourself a real gamer, why would you complain about that unless you have some other agenda?
To everyone else... welcome home

see you on Miiverse!!!
Add me if you want to play some games rather than count cores in next gen consoles without knowing what it really means.
NNID: NinjaMoomin