The Wii U didn't sell a lot.
The 3DS did sell a lot.
The Wii U has a higher price than the 3DS, and that is revenue Nintendo needs.
So how to create something as successful as the 3DS, with but as valuable as the Wii U... this seems to be their answer.
Then, "software sells hardware" is Nintendo's motto. They do not license their intellectual property, all games are exclusively released on Nintendo consoles.
Now, it has always been challenging for game studios other than Nintendo to profit a lot by releasing on a Nintendo system. Mostly because specs are always lower than the current generation of competitor consoles.
The Wii U has a higher price than the 3DS, and that is revenue Nintendo needs.
So how to create something as successful as the 3DS, with but as valuable as the Wii U... this seems to be their answer.
Then, "software sells hardware" is Nintendo's motto. They do not license their intellectual property, all games are exclusively released on Nintendo consoles.
Now, it has always been challenging for game studios other than Nintendo to profit a lot by releasing on a Nintendo system. Mostly because specs are always lower than the current generation of competitor consoles.