10 Must Haves for Nintendo’s Next Home Console

When someone says must have it is a fairly bold statement, but when I was deciding how best to word the title for this piece it was really all I could come up with. While this list is 100% subjective to what I feel their next home console must have, I firmly believe by the end of it a lot of you will be shaking your head in agreement. If not, I am curious as to why, and what you would do differently.

Remember, this isn’t a top 10 list, thus the order is entirely arbitrary.

Backwards Compatibility

I’m talking strictly with the Wii U itself and strictly in terms of software. With the Wii U we were introduced to the Nintendo Network ID, which to me tells me they have their platforms sort of in sync for future home consoles. As an example, the Wii mode on the Wii U is basically running a Wii inside a Wii U. The next console will much more likely be able to run Wii U games natively from day one – thus true backwards compatibility. It also gives folks who skipped the Wii U (which is admittedly a lot of people) a bigger reason to grab the next system. It already has a great back library that many might have missed.

If the system releases in 2017, it allows any major 2016 title to still have the potential for a long leg in sales. The only negative is it means we may miss out on “upgraded Wii U titles”, but with today’s nature maybe this is solved by…

Dynamic Upgrade Patches

Do you want to play all of your old Wii U games in 1080p, maybe even 60 fps? Well, instead of offering remastered versions of Wii U titles, they could charge a small fee (say, $5) for folks to optionally upgrade their game on the new system. This would be akin to texture pack upgrades we see on PC at times. These content patches would push the game to full resolution and better frame rate. Optional of course, since you do already own the title for Wii U. This only works of course if Nintendo has full backwards compatibility, which I believe they likely will.

Achievements

I know this is a widely requested feature, but even Nintendo’s own games seem to have their own type of achievements. I think this is the biggest reason Nintendo doesn’t have a universal system for them – they don’t want to kill the unique nature of getting achievements they currently have. Still, the problem with the current achievements is that it is hard to share them with your friends online, which is the biggest point of getting them at times. Yay I completed 3 new puzzles on my 3DS! Too bad I can’t share that with all my buddies at Gamnesia and Zelda Informer easily. This is probably a no brainer since 3^rd parties also enjoy this. Speaking of third parties…

Beefier Hardware, Just not Extreme

You don’t want to be just matching the PlayStation 4’s raw processing power, you want to exceed it. You also want your console to be affordable. Pulling a Wii U again likely won’t do it, but say instead of 8GB of GDDR5 RAM you give us 12. You give us a decent upgrade for GPU and CPU. It may not match whatever the PlayStation 5 becomes, but it should theoretically keep you close enough to warrant ports – a big deterrent for the current system. If you have achievements and affordable and capable hardware, it will simply lessen the barrier for everyone else.

Innovation… Beyond Controls

Nintendo seems to be of mind that innovation in hardware is really tied down to the control input. While that certainly is a big part of it, it is not the only way. In fact, one could argue the best way to innovate isn’t with the hardware, but rather the operating system. Nintendo already adds a lot of charm, but what if they could make everything better. How quickly do we use our phones and access everything? Pretty fast. The Xbox One OS is alright, yet confusing at times. The PlayStation 4 OS has its own problems for some. You can’t please everyone, but you can innovate with the OS – let folks just play games if that’s all they want to do, yet make everything else you want to support really seamless. Not just simple – UI design goes far beyond just simplicity. However…

There Should be Two Controller Options Packaged In

Nintendo is, ultimately, going to do something to the controller. I don’t know what that something is, but while Nintendo supports so many different control inputs, the only real way to make use of the best ones is to make sure everyone has at least one of them. Maybe one of them is still a GamePad style controller that they make additions and improvements too. Maybe they do something crazy – the controller is also a handheld that can interact with the Wii U wireless across the world (like a Vita to PS4, only better… somehow). Yet, traditional gamers, even on PC, like a standard controller. Make some improvements to the Wii U pro controller and pack it in. Now 3^rd parties (and Nintendo games) don’t inherently have to develop games with x controller in mind. They too have options. Options are good for them and us.

Clearly Defined Marketing Message

This really works outside of the console itself, but marketing is inherently part of any product. Nintendo’s message with the Wii U felt clear in 2011, but it fell apart entirely by the time the system came out. They need to decide who this console is for and then stick to those guns and deliver. Don’t tell me this console is for hardcore gamers and then not deliver on that promise day one. Speaking of promises…

Don’t Allow Publishers to Walk All Over You

Yes, you need to take down barriers, but don’t let publishers overcommit to your console and then back out. What you did with Sega is a prime example of what you could do in the future. Do you want Assassin’s Creed and other titles on your new hardware but worry they may not support it much after launch? Lock down long term contract deals where you toss a small amount of cash assets for each title to ensure support. I’m talking small – not enough to really break bank, but enough to make them want to put the effort in. EA talking about an unprecedented partnership is the stuff I am talking about here. Don’t let them make you promises and then back out. Get it in writing. Get a contract in place. This will ensure support for at least a certain number of years.

Keep it Nintendo, But Loosen Up

Miiverse is brilliant. It’s clear you are going to keep using this in the future. I love what it allows you to do. Create more apps like that and keep the system clearly friendly to all, rather than me worry I will boot it up and see rated R material out the gate (unless I specifically tell the system to do so). However, some policies do need to be loosened. I can’t mention on Miiverse that I am from Zelda Informer. I can’t link to my site in my public profile (I do, but it’s only a matter of time before I am warned/temporarily banned for it). Basically, gamers like to identify themselves at times. Allow us to do so. Make us agree to some silly thing where we are taking full responsibility for what happens by doing so. Game Developers get some clarity, let journalists and even regular users get to personalize themselves and their profile.

Catch Up with Xbox Live and PSN, but Keep it Free

In-game voice a chat? A must. Easy to use friends list? Yes. Special promotions, deals, free game giveaways? Definitely. Heck, make it so Club Nintendo can be used within the system if you want to use that for free game promos. Why offer it for free when others charge? Because unlike them you don’t have a preexisting base of users that are willing to pay a fee and you want to keep the console accessible. Like it or not, those fees require credit cards and 18+ folks. Okay, they don’t, but either way, it is simply better to allow your users to have all of this for nothing. It helps solidify your message that you’re not about nickel and diming consumers, but providing the best possible video game experience you can. Heck, you can innovate and improve current ideals – but keep it all free. Its part of what makes you special as is. It’s not about taking money or getting subscriptions; it’s just about playing games.

What do you think? Agree, disagree? Have things you would like to see for yourself? Let us know down below!