With the Nintendo 3DS picking up sales, everybody is awaiting anxiously for Nintendo's new home console. The Wii U retains the original Wii's motion control capabilities plus more, whilst introducing new tablet controllers.
According to one Forbes writer, Sony and Microsoft won't be announcing new consoles for a long time yet. Sony is busy marketing the PS3, which will have a ten-year life span, whilst Microsoft is also busy promoting the 360 and Kinect. Both the next-gen Playstaton and Xbox are at least 2 years away from release, so it doesn't make sense to reveal them now.
Is this a golden opportunity for the Wii U? Possibly, though, in my view, not overwhelmingly so. It depends how willing Nintendo is to challenge Sony and Microsoft, since the few bits of information we know about the Wii U indicates it will be in more direct competition with the PS3 and 360 than the Wii is. Nintendo will have to sell a stellar console that includes top-notch online play and promising third-party support.