Here's what we hope will be in Nintendo's next console, to be unveiled at E3 2011.
Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Jeff is CNET Editor at Large and a host for CNET video. He's regularly featured on CBS and CBSN. He founded the site's longest-running podcast, The 404 Show, which ran for 10 years. He's currently featured on Giant Bomb's Giant Beastcast podcast and has an unhealthy obsession with ice hockey and pinball.
As in, a hard drive. The Xbox 360 does it. The PS3 does it. Nintendo, if you want downloadable games, you need to do it, too. 250GB or larger, please.
2 of 10 IGN
No novelty hardware
Nintendo has nearly become synonymous with oddball gaming hardware, from the Nintendo DS' dual screens to the Wii's motion controller to the 3DS' 3D display. Some ideas work well, others not so much. All we ask is that if a tablet is indeed part of the Wii 2's rumored design it not be a pointless gimmick.
And, on a related note, no more gimmicky motion control. It didn't take long for Wii motion control to become a tired activity. Gamers quickly realized that just a slight shake would usually perform the same action as an elaborate movement. If the next console uses motion control, we'd prefer if it was more genuine.
3 of 10 screenshot/CNET
More streaming video options
Netflix is great, but we'd love to see Hulu Plus, YouTube, and more.
4 of 10 Netflix
DVD playback, too
We almost don't care anymore, but it's ridiculous that the Wii never had it.
5 of 10 CNET
Cut down on the pointless peripherals
The Wii seems characterized as much by its plastic prostheses as by its Wiimote. The Wii Fit has its use, but the Wii steering wheel, Wii Zapper, Wii Motion Plus, and everything else...let's just hope the Vitality Sensor isn't involved.
6 of 10 Wiinintendo.com
A real online community
Whether Nintendo likes it or not, everyone's online. A shared network for gaming, achievements, and maybe even classic Nintendo ephemera needs to happen.
7 of 10 CNET
No cameras
The Xbox 360, PS3, DSi, and 3DS all sport cameras or camera peripherals, and we've never seen a great use for them. It's probably inevitable that the Wii 2 has some form of camera, but we can always hope it doesn't.
8 of 10 Nintendo
Support the console with lots of great games, till the bitter end
Wii owners have had almost nothing new to play since late last year. With the next Nintendo console we'd love a commitment from Nintendo to not bleed the well dry so soon. Don't forget, this new console probably won't be around until well into 2012, so that's a very long time for the Wii to go without any killer apps. Also, the Wii 2 will live or die based on its games. The Wii and DS were hits because of their game libraries, not their hardware.
9 of 10
No wrist straps!
Sure, it sounds silly but those Wii remote wrist straps were a huge pain to deal with. We'd really prefer a less cumbersome concept next time around if they're needed at all.
