Gaming What I'd like to see from the Wii U in the future

[duffmmann]

So in light of today's news about DS games coming to the Wii U VC and other news, I've been thinking about what I would love to see from the Wii U in the future, I do believe everything I outline is possible, so I don't think any of them are stupid to just hope for:

1. Play your DS and 3DS games on the Wii U but not through the VC, but rather through an adapter that continues the tradition of the Super Gameboy and Gameboy Player. Something like this (but for 3DS and DS games):

2. Allow Gamepad and Wii U Pro controller buttons to function as Wii classic controller pros when in Wii mode. I'm sure this isn't easy, but I understand that in theory it is possible. I also understand that making the gamepad function as a classic controller in the vWii may not be in Nintendo's best financial interests, as they can make a few extra bucks off every Wii VC game owner that updates to the Wii U version of the VC game. If you could use the gamepad to project whats on the vWii (which it already can) and function as a classic controller, there would be no need to upgrade for the extra dollar or 2 Nintendo is charging to do so, and they are probably aware of all the emulators on the Wii, so they may be afraid such a thing would hurt VC sales overall too.

3. Use for a second gamepad. Nintendo made the announcement that the Wii U would be able to connect to 2 gamepad's just as the NES could connect to 2 controllers. This means you can create brilliant 3 way asymmetrical gameplay experiences. There is so much untouched potential right here alone. Which makes it sad that asymmetrical play has only just been scratched on the surface.

Which brings me to my 3 and a halfth point: More creative uses for the gamepad screen. So much has yet to be done with the unique gamepad, just an example, how about for a game to have the first person view on the gamepad, and third person view on the tv screen, this would allow for more accurate shooting, but for the people not playing the game, rather only watching, would be able to appreciate it from the 3rd person point of view, I've been thinking specifically how great this would be for a GTA game.

4. DLC for the new Smash Bros. I know this is a bit specific, but I think we can all understand the appeal of this. The number one complaint this series receives is that a certain character didn't make the cut. Well if ever there was a call for DLC in a Nintendo game, this is it. Of course stages and other things could be added as well. But why not try and make this Smash game the definitive Smash game by letting it be infinitely updated so the roster eventually is bursting at the seams and every logical 1st, 2nd, and plausible 3rd party characters had made the cut.

5. Pokemon Universe. It's time Nintendo throws it hat in the MMO ring. And what other series could possibly fit the bill than Pokemon? This game could be huge, there could be one region to start, but updates and expansions could add more regions with new tournaments, maybe even side regions with their own unique tournament like the Orange Islands. It could have limited numbers of legendaries per server, real time action (you control each pokemon so you can dodge and run and make contact), no random encounters (you see the pokemon in the wild and engage them, or they chase you down), form parties, etc. etc.

6. 3DS/Wii U crossplay - This idea is to add features to games you play on the big screen when you're on the. So for example, for the Pokemon Universe game above. When you're done playing your online adventure, you can download your data to your 3DS where your 3DS functions similar to the PokeWalker, but you send your pokemon from the Wii U game to your slightly younger brother on the 3DS (up to 6 at once), who lives on a large island away from the vast land your from. The 3DS game is different in how the main purpose is to train your pokemon, and its story would be single player centric with elements of Rune Factory built in for a different yet unique experience that helps raise your Wii U pokemon (there would be a romance system, a few dungeons to crawl through, ability to farm berries and other food, and the ability to make crafts and bake poffins and stuff like that which you can send back to the Wii U.
- We will likely see some sort of crossplay with the new Smash, so this idea likely will see some fruition within the next year.


Stray thoughts:

- Ability to stream both tvscreen and gamepad screen to top and bottom of 3DS screen respectively. Circle Pad Pro would probably be neccesary for most games.

- Continuing with the 3rd person/1st person view idea: New Pokemon Snap (the gamepad is your camera), the tv shows 3rd person view.

- I always thought this patent would have been great: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/04/nintendo_said_unto_the_patent_office_let_there_be_wii_light I love the idea of playing a Zelda game late at night, running low on health and the room blinking red as I hear the low life chiming kick in. The Xbox Illumiroom is clearly a more advanced similar idea, but I think the WiiLight would be more effective on conveying mood (and I don't know if that thing will ever see the light of day either).

 

[Taleweaver]

I do believe everything I outline is possible, so I don't think any of them are stupid to just hope for:

Nice example of circular logic there, mate.

 

[Bladexdsl]

1. ds games are coming 3ds games will never come peeps won't buy the 3ds than losing them $$$
2. not gonna happen just use the classic controller pro
3. they reckon that will be added later on.
4. that will prob happen
5. hell NO
6. again not going to happen.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

DS games should just come to the 3DS because I'd easily welcome digitally distributed DS games. More convenient to keep with you and the rare ones can be gotten affordably.

Also if anyone thinks a Pokemon MMO is a good idea, just stop. Do realize that MMOs sink companies. Fan ideas for Pokemon all suck. Even the lead designer has said that fans have terrible ideas for Pokemon and they, as developers, sit around and laugh at the worst ones they get.

 

[KuRensan]

2. Allow Gamepad and Wii U Pro controller buttons to function as Wii classic controller pros when in Wii mode.

They are probably are looking for a way to do it, Hopefully.

3. Use for a second gamepad.

Hmm I think buying separate gamepads would be good (for if it breaks) but I don't really want to buy a second gamepad just to play multiplayer which probably also supports multiple controllers.

4. DLC for the new Smash Bros.

I think they won't do this. They'll just wait and add it in the next game.

5. Pokemon Universe.

I would love to see a something close to a main pokemon game on the Wii U but not a MMO style game( No internet no game, no servers no game and lagg D: ) I think letting people joining your world through the friendlist or via friend-codes would be more fun. I think the something that has a bigger change of coming is something like Wara Wara Plaza (the wii u menu thing) where people on Miiverse are NPC's in towns and city's.

6. 3DS/Wii U crossplay

I don't think they will do that but I hope they will do it for VC games because it is just stupid you have to buy the same game twice only to be able to play it on a different divice

 

[Gahars]

I think "Games Worth Buying The Console For" would be a better start.

Also, it probably wouldn't be a horrible idea if they released a version of the Wii U with a pro controller in place of the gamepad. Since this would reduce the cost massively, they could probably get away with cutting the price down to, at least, $200-250. It's not like the gamepad is really useful for most of the games on the system anyway, and just about every Wii U title (iirc, anyway) is compatible with the pro controller. It wouldn't change their situation over night or anything, but a dirt cheap price might help convince some holdovers and right now they need to get a Wii U into as many households as possible.

 

[Duo8]

Also, it probably wouldn't be a horrible idea if they released a version of the Wii U with a pro controller in place of the gamepad. Since this would reduce the cost massively, they could probably get away with cutting the price down to, at least, $200-250. It's not like the gamepad is really useful for most of the games on the system anyway, and just about every Wii U title (iirc, anyway) is compatible with the pro controller. It wouldn't change their situation over night or anything, but a dirt cheap price might help convince some holdovers and right now they need to get a Wii U into as many households as possible.

Might cause another Vita TV though.

 

[Gahars]

Might cause another Vita TV though.

Whether or not it's selling, the Vita TV is actually pretty nifty. If they can get the kinks worked out with compatibility, I could definitely see myself buying one.

Anyway, it's not like the situation could get worse for Nintendo at this point, so they might as well try something. Plus, by cutting out the gamepad, they might be able to sell this new model at a profit even with a lower cost, so even if the revision doesn't sell well, they're not losing money on each unit.

 

[FireGrey]

4. Not sure if you have noticed, but DLC is generally frowned upon...
5. MMOs are dying though, why would they want to get into that?

 

[duffmmann]

Nah, don't cut out the gamepad, be it your weakness or strength, its what separates you, and if it really is the cause of the console failing (which its not, people aren't not supporting it simply because of the controller), then Nintendo is the type of company to stand by it until it truly fails, like a captain going down with its ship.

 

[duffmmann]

4. Not sure if you have noticed, but DLC is generally frowned upon...
5. MMOs are dying though, why would they want to get into that?

4. Nintendo has done DLC now for Pikmin 3 and the latest Fire Emblem, they are not opposed to DLC.
5. I'd say thats just your opinion, there are plenty of new MMOs on the way (big one being Elder Scrolls Online), Monster Hunter continues to be huge, the new FF is an MMO, there is a new Everquest on the horizon. I'd say MMOs are far from dead.

Nice example of circular logic there, mate.

How is it circular logic, its actually pretty sound: I do believe everything I outline is possible, so I don't think any of them are stupid to just hope for:


If I believed some of what I outlined wasn't possible, I would have said, some of this is stupid to hope for as I don't think its all possible. Don't really see how its circular logic, but its certainly sound logic.

 

[Bladexdsl]

also don't forget New Super Luigi U. so saying smash bros won't have dlc is just stupid. nintendo HAVE jumped on the DLC wagon.

 

[MarioFanatic64]

7. An non-casual Mario game.

 

[Foxi4]

A DS cart reader for the Wii U will never see the light of day, I think we actually discussed the matter back in 2012. There's three problems with it - profitability, compatibility and availability.

Firstly, Nintendo releases DS games on Virtual Console to make money, not for charity - they don't want to give you the option to play them just like that. The amount of money they'd make on a cart reader is insurmountably smaller than what they can make on cheap digital re-releases.

Secondly, Virtual Console often uses game-specific patches to make things efficient - this means that they'd have to test each and every DS game in existence before releasing such a peripheral, which isn't feasible. A cartridge reader would simply have compatibility issues, unlike Virtual Console releases with specific per-game patches.

Finally, DS games are on their way out of video game stores. Most of the ones on-shelves are pre-owned cartridges and Nintendo doesn't earn from those, moreover, even those too will soon disappear from shelves as stock exhausts -some titles are already rare and hard to find. In the long run, digital re-releases are more convenient for the customer who doesn't have to look around for particular DS titles - he or she just has to press a button.

A cart reader, as alluring as it may be for previous DS owners who have game collections, is not a profitable solution and it's only convenient for those who have DS cartridges, not necessarily for consumers in general.

 

[shinkodachi]

What about a 3DS "Player"?

I understand the per-game patching idea, but that didn't stop e.g. Sony from releasing compatibility lists for original PS3 owners to see which PS2 games could be played on it. Furthermore, a 3DS Player wouldn't have to be just a cart reader (i.e. implementing software emulation), it could house the actual 3DS hardware for 1:1 compatibility (except for games that require specific functions like Phantom Hourglass, again Nintendo could just make a small list of non-working titles).

There's perhaps still not much money to make in such an adapter, but the GameBoy Player wasn't a homerun either, though it was positively received. It'd also open up 3DS games to the possibility of being played on the big screen. I believe there's a market for just that, and the buttons and layout of the Wii U GamePad just scream to be utilized for 3DS games in the living room, IMO. Nintendo could probably even implement stereoscopic 3D over HDMI, but if anything the Nintendo 2DS is proof that they are open to other forms of the 3DS, so why not an add-on for the Wii U that could drive sales up?

3DS games are also readily available on shelves, in great amounts due to its popularity. This would instantly give the Wii U more visibility through 3DS games and instantly widen the game library of the Wii U with hundreds of games. From a sales perspective it's easy to sell: just tell the customer the Wii U has a disc drive for DVD games, but there are games on cartridges as well, you can buy this adapter to play the cartridge games without buying another console! Even the laziest GameStop employee could do it, even the uninformed mom would understand it. "So, this is a 3DS game? I need the 3DS Player so the kids can play it."

Don't get me wrong, DS games on Virtual Console is a brilliant idea. But for 3DS games I think there should be a separate 3DS Player peripheral, perhaps priced at $99 so as to not bite into 3DS sales and still make it cheap enough for anyone who wants a Wii U and 3DS games in the living room. And with actual hardware parts inside the adapter (minus both screens and speakers, etc) the price point should be doable and profitable for Nintendo. It wouldn't be a huge sales hit, but it could turn around Wii U sales. I see it as a system selling peripheral. Pay $99 and boom you have hundreds of new games to play on your Wii U, games you can actually find in brick-and-mortar stores and games that are constantly coming anew.

Just my thoughts...

 

[duffmmann]

A DS cart reader for the Wii U will never see the light of day, I think we actually discussed the matter back in 2012. There's three problems with it - profitability, compatibility and availability.

Firstly, Nintendo releases DS games on Virtual Console to make money, not for charity - they don't want to give you the option to play them just like that. The amount of money they'd make on a cart reader is insurmountably smaller than what they can make on cheap digital re-releases.

Secondly, Virtual Console often uses game-specific patches to make things efficient - this means that they'd have to test each and every DS game in existence before releasing such a peripheral, which isn't feasible. A cartridge reader would simply have compatibility issues, unlike Virtual Console releases with specific per-game patches.

Finally, DS games are on their way out of video game stores. Most of the ones on-shelves are pre-owned cartridges and Nintendo doesn't earn from those, moreover, even those too will soon disappear from shelves as stock exhausts -some titles are already rare and hard to find. In the long run, digital re-releases are more convenient for the customer who doesn't have to look around for particular DS titles - he or she just has to press a button.

A cart reader, as alluring as it may be for previous DS owners who have game collections, is not a profitable solution and it's only convenient for those who have DS cartridges, not necessarily for consumers in general.

There are 2 reasons I would argue against your thought that a DS/3DS (please don't dismiss my thought as only a DS player, it could certainly play 3DS games too, so your argument about relevance is null) card reader for the Wii U would never see the light of day:

1. Past Precedent. It would be one thing if Nintendo only did this in the past once (like the first Animal Crossing having NES games), but Nintendo has released 3 (official) handheld players for their consoles. The SNES saw the Super Gameboy and later the Super Gameboy 2. While the Gamecube had the Gameboy Player.

2. Vita TV. You can argue all you want that individual rereleases will slowly gather more money than anyone buying a single 3DS/DS reader (Nintendo could easily sell this for the price of 8 or more DS VC titles depending on their price), but Nintendo already has issue with being compared to SONY all the time, usually this is in terms of graphics, and Nintendo stays firm that its own path will ultimately be fruitful. Meanwhile, the 3DS annihilates the Vita in the handheld market, an area where comparisons to Sony are much less common. So it would be a shame for Sony to outperform Nintendo in its area of dominance, so it would make sense for Nintendo to offer their counterpart to the Vita TV. Not to mention this could in theory boost Wii U sales, as I'm sure there are plenty willing to pay a few hundred dollars as it is to play their 3DS games on their tv (as evidenced by the existence of this company: http://www.3dsvideocapture.com/ )

Really it seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[XDel]

I would not complain if the second generation Wii U has a DSi cart slot in the front below or next to the SD card slot. Also didn't I hear something about the Wii U gamepad having some hidden 3D features to it or something? Maybe it could pull off 3DS also?

Ideally their next hand held and console should be based upon the same technology that way the software would be more easily interchangable.

 

[trumpet-205]

1. Past Precedent. It would be one thing if Nintendo only did this in the past once (like the first Animal Crossing having NES games), but Nintendo has released 3 (official) handheld players for their consoles. The SNES saw the Super Gameboy and later the Super Gameboy 2. While the Gamecube had the Gameboy Player.

2. Vita TV. You can argue all you want that individual rereleases will slowly gather more money than anyone buying a single 3DS/DS reader (Nintendo could easily sell this for the price of 8 or more DS VC titles depending on their price), but Nintendo already has issue with being compared to SONY all the time, usually this is in terms of graphics, and Nintendo stays firm that its own path will ultimately be fruitful. Meanwhile, the 3DS annihilates the Vita in the handheld market, an area where comparisons to Sony are much less common. So it would be a shame for Sony to outperform Nintendo in its area of dominance, so it would make sense for Nintendo to offer their counterpart to the Vita TV. Not to mention this could in theory boost Wii U sales, as I'm sure there are plenty willing to pay a few hundred dollars as it is to play their 3DS games on their tv (as evidenced by the existence of this company: http://www.3dsvideocapture.com/ )

1. All those handheld players ended up cramming the entire hardware minus the screen to achieve excellent compatibility. They all ended up being financial failure for Nintendo due to hefty component cost. Plus unlike SNES and GC there is no proprietary port that offers fast speed and low latency on Wii U (USB ain't going to be sufficient for a cartridge player).

2. You seem to completely misunderstood the purpose of Vita TV. Its purpose is to compete against micro-console (Like Ouya, Gamestick, etc). It was never meant to compete against big console maker.

 

[Foxi4]

1. Past Precedent. It would be one thing if Nintendo only did this in the past once (like the first Animal Crossing having NES games), but Nintendo has released 3 (official) handheld players for their consoles. The SNES saw the Super Gameboy and later the Super Gameboy 2. While the Gamecube had the Gameboy Player.

As mentioned above, all of the systems that saw Game Boy players either had cartridge ports allowing for expansion or a high-speed EXT port which gave direct interface with the console's innards. The Wii U was not designed to be explandable this way, therefor I don't see how it could be expanded.

2. Vita TV. You can argue all you want that individual rereleases will slowly gather more money than anyone buying a single 3DS/DS reader (Nintendo could easily sell this for the price of 8 or more DS VC titles depending on their price), but Nintendo already has issue with being compared to SONY all the time, usually this is in terms of graphics, and Nintendo stays firm that its own path will ultimately be fruitful. Meanwhile, the 3DS annihilates the Vita in the handheld market, an area where comparisons to Sony are much less common. So it would be a shame for Sony to outperform Nintendo in its area of dominance, so it would make sense for Nintendo to offer their counterpart to the Vita TV. Not to mention this could in theory boost Wii U sales, as I'm sure there are plenty willing to pay a few hundred dollars as it is to play their 3DS games on their tv (as evidenced by the existence of this company: http://www.3dsvideocapture.com/ )

Really it seems like a no-brainer to me.

Uh-huh. Have you ever tried blowing up 400x240 on a contemporary TV screen? Because that's the 3DS's resolution most of the time. Before you say 800x240, this isn't always the case and it creates an aspect ratio so bizzare that it would simply look weird on a screen with conventionally-shaped pixels. 3.33:1, anyone? Gotta love'em borders!

I simply don't think the idea is feasible. People who buy a 3DS video capture are few and far between - usually let's players who treat it either as a hobby or as a job. The conventional user wouldn't need that sort of a thing.

As for the PSVita TV, the point was pretty much already made above - it's a microconsole and a streaming device, not a PS4 add-on like you propose.

Don't get me wrong - a 1DS is perfectly feasible from the technological stand-point, I can see it working just fine, I just don't see Nintendo going for it.

 

[duffmmann]

As mentioned above, all of the systems that saw Game Boy players either had cartridge ports allowing for expansion or a high-speed EXT port which gave direct interface with the console's innards. The Wii U was not designed to be explandable this way, therefor I don't see how it could be expanded.
Uh-huh. Have you ever tried blowing up 400x240 on a contemporary TV screen? Because that's the 3DS's resolution most of the time. Before you say 800x240, this isn't always the case and it creates an aspect ratio so bizzare that it would simply look weird on a screen with conventionally-shaped pixels. 3.33:1, anyone? Gotta love'em borders!

I simply don't think the idea is feasible. People who buy a 3DS video capture are few and far between - usually let's players who treat it either as a hobby or as a job. The conventional user wouldn't need that sort of a thing.

As for the PSVita TV, the point was pretty much already made above - it's a microconsole and a streaming device, not a PS4 add-on like you propose.

Don't get me wrong - a 1DS is perfectly feasible from the technological stand-point, I can see it working just fine, I just don't see Nintendo going for it.

It doesn't matter the means of playing the hardware be it a micro console or an add-on to the current console, some sort of competing solution is my point. And making it an addon could potentially push more Wii U sales given the large DS/3DS ownership base.


If USB wont cut it. Then I say Nintendo could release it as an alternate Gamepad that you can buy. They already said you could use 2 gamepads on the Wii U, why not make the extra gamepad that you'll eventually be able to buy have a slot to insert your DS/3DS games in the top, meaning if necessary the inner workings of a 3DS could be built into the controller. Granted this would boost the already not cheap extra gamepad price, but I know I would personally shell out the money. And at least having it built in a second gamepad would kill 2 birds with one stone. Future games that will utilize 3 screen would be playable and you could play your favorite DS and 3DS games on the Wii U through it.

Aspect on past handheld players was never an issue, Nintendo always just put in some sort of border to accommodate, don't see why the same couldn't happen here.


Or alternatively, we know the 3DS can communicate with the Wii U, surely there could be a way to have the Wii U communicate properly with a turned on 3DS (probably would have to plug it in to an outlet so it wouldn't die) and have the top screen streamed to the tv and have the bottom screen streamed to the gamepad.