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).
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).