Nintendo is always releasing innovative hardware, but their most recent home system, Wii U, has had a rough launch. Even though the system isn't even 1 year old yet, sales haven't been great. It's difficult to tell from such an early stage of Wii U's life cycle, but there are many people who believe the system will ultimately flop. On the other hand, there's even more people who believe the system will eventually become a major success. Will Nintendo's new system be a success? Here are 5 things Nintendo needs to have another successful generation.
1. Bigger game library
This is obvious and Nintendo will definitely follow through with it, but for the last few months, there haven't been any system-selling games. We received New Super Mario Bros. U at launch, but in reality, it isn't a full Mario game that can provide weeks upon weeks of gameplay. Once Nintendo releases a new Mario and Smash Bros. game, we should see units fly off of shelves.
2. More third-party titles
With 2006's Wii, games usually had to be changed completely due to Nintendo's Wii remote. With the Wii U, developers don't have to change everything around as much. If they want, they can even include extra features for the GamePad's touchscreen. Even though the Wii U isn't as powerful as Sony's upcoming PS4, games still won't have to be downgraded as much and there won't be a noticable difference.
3. Make online gaming easier
Online gaming with the Wii U is on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3, but since the GamePad has a microphone, why not use it? Right now, the GamePad's microphone is only used for Nintendo Land and Wii U Chat. If Nintendo can release an update that lets gamers voice chat with the Wii U's GamePad, nobody will have to buy a pricey headset. To avoid picking up sound that nobody wants to hear, Nintendo could require gamers to hold down an icon on the touchscreen to activate the microphone. Once the player's finger is off of the touchscreen, the microphone is deactivated. It's very odd that Nintendo hasn't done this yet.
4. Design a completely new OS
The Wii U's current OS is visually appealing and simple, but at the same time, it's extremely slow. Loading times could take up to 30 seconds or more which is unacceptable. Whoever designed the Wii U's OS did a poor job and needs to make a new one from scratch. They need to ditch the WaraWara Plaza and create a normal on-screen menu. The dozens of rendered 3D characters in the main menu is obviously too much. Most apps are already built into the OS which need to be completely seperate. It's cool to multitask, but Nintendo has done it completely wrong. With the upcoming Spring and Summer updates, let's hope they also roll out a new OS.
5. Bring Nintendo 64 and GameCube games to the eShop
With the Wii U's GamePad having normal controls, Nintendo can finally bring Nintendo 64 and GameCube classics to the Wii U. They could be part of the Virtual Console or they could be completely seperate. If Nintendo decides to do this, they must remaster each game to run in HD. This doesn't mean they have to add more polygons, but they don't want the gamer's HDTV to display a giant blurry pixel mess. Bringing classics to the eShop will ultimately result in more sales and transitions.
Will Nintendo rethink their strategy with Wii U? It's possible, but it's guaranteed that current Wii U owners won't have to wait much longer to take advantage of the system. With 'Wind Waker HD' and the new 'Smash Bros.' game being released soon, it's almost promised that the Wii U will be a major success
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