Most people don't want to buy an overpriced console for 1-2 games a year.
I currently own a Wii, PS3, 3DS, and PC. I probably buy 1-2 games for each a year (not so much with Wii anymore for obvious reasons). I don't need more than that, there's no time to play more while juggling other things in life. The notion that anyone who plays games frequently only will have 1 system is simply a fallacy. I have never known anyone who does that, ever.
Bayonetta is a different case because non Nintendo fans are the reason it exists at all. If I liked Bayonetta, which I don't, I would be frustrated at it being a Wii U exclusive. I don't think that's petulant, it's just natural. The type of people who like Bayonetta don't have much cross over with Wii U owners.
Wii had the largest install base out of Wii/360/PS3. By this logic many people who owned a 360 or PS3 also probably owned a Wii. How is that no audience crossover? Is it impossible for people to like Nintendo as well as other companies and their systems? Outside of the Internet, ie real life, I have never seen this kind of "console warrior" mentality since the "Nintendo is kiddy" high school days.
Wii U fans are Nintendo fans. Games like Bayonetta have no history of being successful on Nintendo platforms.
How is that a controversial conclusion?
Games like Bayonetta essentially have no history of being on Nintendo platforms in general. Lack of evidence doesn't mean there isn't an audience for it there. I own a PS3, I like Bayonetta, I also like Nintendo though and will buy a Wii U in order to play it.
You can be dramatic and over the top, or you can be level headed. I find it very hard to believe anybody here would say impartially that a game like Bayonetta has a larger potential audience with Nintendo console owners than Microsoft and Sony owners. I'm not speaking in absolutes
Well, believe it. Nintendo both on console and handheld this last gen/currently ending gen has had the largest install base. By definition that also means it has the largest potential audience for anything. Sure, not all of that install base is going to like Bayonetta but chances are pretty high that a great deal of them will. Even for those few who do in reality not touch a Nintendo product for fear of it burning their flesh I am sure will find a way to play the sequel if they are actually a fan of the first game. Everyone who played Bayonetta knows exactly how good it is and a console shift is not going to prevent rational people from playing it.