bornsupercharged

Good point. That's the most logical reasoning yet for why there might not be friend codes on the wii u.

There WILL be friend codes on the Wii U, Nintendo's President Satoru Iwata answered this in June:
"We’re not completely getting rid of Friend Codes, but a function of the “Miiverse” will simplify the process of making friends with another user in the platform by eliminating the need to input Friend Codes."
http://www.nintendo....20606qa/02.html

This coincides with what he previous said in January:
"Nintendo will now allow personalized accounts for its next home console, which will allow multiple users per system. Online profiles will no longer be system-based. "We will also be able to construct and offer the [personal account system] by combining a variety of different services and content," Iwata said.

Really, what I described in my post above sounds like it might be really close to reality.

FTA: "In addition, for our past platforms, users had to exchange a number called a "Friend Code" with each other to build a Friend relationship, where data could be transferred between two specific devices. This process was set up to prevent users from being harassed by the few people who like to behave in an inappropriate manner when playing games. For Wii U, as those who have empathized with each other can create a Friend relationship, the important mission of "Miiverse" is to increase the number of friends to play games with. "

When he started talking about past platforms and how users had to exchange friend codes, I was expecting some sort of clarification for the Wii U / Miiverse. Unfortunately all he did is say it was setup to prevent harassment.. and then he changed the subject and started talking about how the Miiverse is trying to increase the # of friends you can play with.

Based on what he said about "creating a Friend relationship", I think it *might* be that there's still Friend Codes to prevent "harassment" but once you add someone's friend code they'll be able to accept the friendship request and maybe you'll have something like a gamertag.

Imagine these two scenarios:
#1) Black Ops 2, you're in a game with 7 other people (4 v 4 match). You're waiting for the next match to begin, you're not friends with anyone yet so you just see the Friend Codes for the other 7 people playing.
One of the people on your team is really good and you want to be friends with them so you can easily play with them again in the future, so you select them and you request a "Friend relationship". Once they confirm, their nickname or gamertag will be displayed going forward INSTEAD of their Friend Code.

#2) Your best friend and you both have the Wii U and both get Black Ops 2. You add his Friend Code manually, and he accepts the "Friend relationship", and now you can see each other's nickname/gamertag.

IF that's how it's going to work, it's fine by me. You only have to enter their Friend Code once so it's not a huge deal, I mean even if they let us add a friend using their gamertag we'd still have to enter something in.
It's really not any worse than entering the download codes or Microsoft Points card code on the 360, they're both "one time annoyances".

The potential benefit to doing it this way is maybe I could have my middle name be my gamertag / be what's displayed to my friends. In this case, I don't have to worry about someone registering my preferred gamertag before I do because the system is based off unique Friend Codes and not unique gamertags like the 360 is.

Thinking it through slightly more, I know they mentioned each person in your house would have their own Mii in the Miiverse, so it sounds like a new unique Friend Code would be generated for each and stored in Nintendo's servers. This of course means to play as your Mii you'd have to be connected to the internet, though perhaps they could have some offline play mode where you can still play as your Mii and once you've got internet again it would upload all your progress. Like if you take the Wii U with you on a road trip so your kids can take turns playing on the GamePad, their progress could still be recorded offline, and when you get back home and turn the Wii U on again it would automatically upload the  progress they made while offline.

This is all speculation of course, and I hope it's somewhat similar (if not exactly the same) to how I'm describing.

"there is nothing that really gets me hyped to play."
I think they did a great job of trying to have something for everyone, instead of a couple games that they force on everyone - if that makes sense. 50 games in a launch window and over 20 on launch day is amazing for a brand new console. Rabbids Land looks fun for playing with my son, ZombiU by myself, CoD:Black Ops 2 for online multiplayer, Tank! Tank! Tank! for the whole family really (reminds me of some tank game they had for the N64 that I loved), Skylanders Giants Wii U of course because my son really enjoyed playing the original one with me on the 360, Scribblenauts Unlimited for my wife (she has both of the DS games, absolutely loves figuring out the levels and getting to be creative), SMB is a staple and Nintendo Land for the whole family. The only game I wish they had to go with the Wii U is a brand new Zelda game - but I know that will come with time. Speaking of time - if there's no games you want to play, don't buy the Wii U. The point of any console is to have fun while gaming, to kill time and enjoy doing so. If there's no game that sparks your interest, just don't buy it yet.