10 things Nintendo needs to get right on their next console

With the launch of the 3DS getting closer, it got me thinking of what I want in my new Nintendo console and eventual Wii replacement. I’ll be the first person in the room to tell you the Wii is a great console, but I’m certainly going to be the first person in line at Best Buy when they start selling whatever it is that Nintendo has up their sleves to be the successor to the Wii.

That being said, here is what I want from Nintendo for my next console (besides the holograms…oh that’s not offical yet?):

#1 Rechargeable controller batteries
Tell me Nintendo, why do I have to go to Nyko or Energizer to get my going green on? Can we all just agree that spending a small fortune on batteries each year is a bad thing. You got that Nintendo, BAD!

#2 Patchable games
Ok I’m with you in agreeing that lots of developers have taken advantage of the ability to patch their games by releasing games that are borderline broken knowing that they have the ability to fix it later on down the line with a patch. My argument to this is a bad game is bad forever.  Oh, and I won’t have to send in any SD cards to get my save fixed.

#3 Optical Audio out
Or at least SOME way for me to listen to my games on my 5.1 surround sound.  No I’m not talking about that Dolby Pro Logic garbage, give me the real deal!

#4 Better ”˜shop channel’ experience
There is absolutely no other way to put this, looking for a game on the Wii or DS’s respective shop channels is a horrible experience at best.  It’s slow. It’s hard to find out what other people think of the game.  There are hardly any demos so I can try before I buy. Oh and it’s slow.  Here’s an idea for you Nintendo, just copy everything Amazon does right now and apply it to my next console ”˜mkay?

#5 Better online experience
I have never attempted to play an online Wii game ever since March of 2008 when I tried for hours to get a random game going in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, only to realize that it was a problem that was never going to be fixed.  There are loads of problems with the current state of playing a game online on a Nintendo console. Hopefully, Nintendo means it when they say they already know.

#6 No more plastic crap
I have got guitars, drums, racing wheels, and zappers galore.  I actually don’t need anymore stuff to shove in my drawers, thanks!

#7 A use for my HDTV
Ok so in 2006 I was inclined to agree with you in saying not many households had HDTVs, as I was hunched over my 12 inch CRT and liking it.  Now that I have 42 inches of pure LCD I want to see every bit of Mario that I can.

#8 Connectivity
One of my favorite video game experiences of the last decade have been when  three of my friends and myself would gather a Gamecube and four Gameboys to play The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.  Imagine how great connectivity in an Animal Crossing title could be.

#9 Digital content transfer
If I can’t copy or at least transfer my games I spent all those Nintendo point cards on, I won’t be happy.  If the next console doesn’t involve Wii-like controller I can understand if my Wiiware games won’t work, but if I have to buy Super Mario Bros. one more time I swear…

#10 Virtual Boy compatibility
I think it’s the least Nintendo could do for all of us that walked into Target and told their parents that that was the only thing they wanted for their birthday.

What did I miss?  Anything else the new system needs to have for it to be an instant buy for you?

Eugene lives in New Mexico and has been a life long gamer since getting his hands on an NES. Always partial to Nintendo, Eugene has made it a point to keep informed on all things Mario.