I really, really doubt Paper Mario will be anything but a token Wii U game for its end-of-life.
I'm just pointing out that the announcement timing isn't really a good indicator since Super Paper Mario was actually announced at around the same time, and still was quietly moved to Wii.
I never said it wasn't a token end of life game, but swan songs are not a bad thing (late gen games are best imo.)
I'm only saying that a lot has changed since 2006. The GameCube got a longer shelf life, remember, and Donkey Kong Bongo Blast was also moved and released in late 2007.
Hell, the NX hasn't even been announced yet, while the Wii was very much a thing when Super Paper Mario and Donkey Kong Barrel Blast were announced at E3 2006. This is both earlier in the year and with a next platform known only as a code name.
No way it doesn't get a Wii U release, whether it is an exclusive or cross-gen, this is a different situation.
Game Boy Color got 2 years. GBA got 3. SNES was intended to be replaced after 4.
I think people just forgot how long the Wii U has actually been out.
GBC got more like 2 1/2. The half is significant when we're talking 2-3 years here.
SNES (in its Japanese incarnation) was not intended to be replaced after 4. The N64 was delayed, yes, but it was not supposed to come out in late 1994 which would have been 4 years in Japan. You have to remember that its the Western release dates that have come closer to the Japanese ones, but that doesn't change the system's original release date, which was 1990 as the Super Famicom. The N64 would have been 5 years later, and ended up 5 1/2.