Yeah there's a lot of talk about Wii U ports and many many reasons about why they aren't better or can't be better than 360 and PS3.
But here's a reason you may not have heard. It could actually be illegal to make a game too superior when compared to its other-platform counterparts. I remembered reading this a while back on Eurogamer:
Why Microsoft won't publish PSN firsts (its a long read but very insightful)
Microsoft's Content Submission and Release Policy, seen by Eurogamer, details its third-party publisher guidelines.
"Titles for Xbox 360 must ship at least simultaneously with other video game platform, and must have at least feature and content parity on-disc with the other video game platform versions in all regions where the title is available," it reads.
"If these conditions are not met, Microsoft reserves the right to not allow the content to be released on Xbox 360."One representative from a publisher who wished to remain anonymous told Eurogamer Microsoft's policy blocks developers from taking advantage of other platforms' strengths.
Now this article is about Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network games but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this extended to big name published titles too. Afterall a huge chunk of gamers only play on 360, and Microsoft could easily refuse certification if the 360 version wasn't at least equal or superior.
From the article it looks like its mainly Microsoft that are using shady business tactics to secure the 360 as the leading platform but I wouldn't be too surprised if Sony and Nintendo also draw up similar contracts when it comes to multiplatform games. In any case when it comes to multiplatform games the end result may only be as good as the lowest performing console and by extension why the Wii U will probably have ports that are only on par.