Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata has mentioned that being first to the market isn’t important and explained why he believes so. Xbox 360’s lead over PS3 was something that is a well known fact and also was instrumental in helping it gain marketshare in the US, and the PS3 has been unable to catch it till now losing all marketshare and mindshare.
“Being first in the next generation race is not important at all. One of the reasons we believe this is the time for Nintendo to launch the Wii U is it’s going to be important for the world,” he said in an exclusive interview with Gamasutra.
“The pricing of Wii U is going to be one of the most important elements when it is going to be launched. The environment is different. Wii U is going to be launching in a different environment than when the Wii was launched. Also, the involvement surrounding [mobile and social] businesses is different than several years ago.”
I think he has a point but it remains to be seen how the console is received by people.