It would help in the sense that they wouldn't have to divide their studios' resources between a handheld and HD system. And considering how Nintendo is increasingly on their own in providing any games to their systems (especially on the console front), that would be a powerful motivator.
I agree that it kills off a stream of revenue and makes things more risky, but you seem to have missed a huge benefit.
Touche.
That is a great reason I will give you that. however, I just don't think putting all your eggs into one basket is all that smart. Nintendo can survive the Wii U bombing to an extent because of the 3DS's success (INB4 Bu-but it's tracking under the DS so therefore its a failure toooooo). If this mythical Hybrid Console fails, then what? They wouldn't have a fail back plan. That plus the fact that even if it does succeed, they probably won't make as much money as the ywould from a handheld and a mediocre console (the Wii U isn't this of course but I think they can put out a better console still). So yeah while that is a definite plus to have whole focus on the console from all of their studios, I just don't think that it is a enough to negate the negatives of one income stream, no fall back option, the cost, and the fact that the technology isnt there.
That being said, the Wii U is a failure. The name is dumb and honestly, the tablet hasn't added much as all of the best games on the system....don't really use it. So yes this was a bad idea. They hitched their wagon to an idea that was better served off as a side thing ala the Balance Board, not the entire idea behind the system. If they wanted to stay "unique" IMO, they should have furthered the motion control idea. One of my favorite ideas is the breakaway controller, that way both "hardcore" and "casual" audiences would get, that plus a slightly mroe powerful console and all the other stuff and then later in the gen add the tablet (it should also be cheaper to make then..I think). So yeah Nintendo fucked up with the Wii U. But they have atleast 2 more Wii U level fucks ups before it gets to the shitty 3rd party and Hybrid ideas because by then they wouldn't have a choice.
I will admit that I am bitter because I saw Sega, my favorite company when I had such a thing, die. Nintendo isn't Sega but it is tough to watch Sega not put out the games I loved from them because they can't due to sales. We won't see any more Shenmue's, Skies of Arcadia, Jet Grind Radios, and other unique properties from them anymore because they can't afford failures anymore. I mean it's why Bayonetta had to be "saved" and why Valkyria Chronicles is dead. (Althought with the Atlus acquisition...maybe they are healtier than I think...I hope.) #rd Party Nintendo wouldnt be the same. EAD would be broken up, Talent would leave, and if people are sick of Mario and Zelda only...they would really be mad then. So these Doooooomed threads really bum me out. Gaming is important to me and considering 3 of my top 5 games of this year are from Nintendo, seeing them die would suck. I had more fun with 3Dworld than 5 of the games on my new Ps4. Nintendo's brand of games are what I want and seeing them bomb (not just Nintendo, other Japanese games) is awful as it will only mean that soon every game with have to feature gunz, or cinematic experiences and shit.
So excuse me if I come off as bitter.
/rant