Dear Nintendo, Please Consider These Features for NX

Ever since Nintendo announced it was working on a new hardware platform, rumors have been flying left and right. Will it be a console/handheld hybrid? Will it ditch discs for cartridges? Will it go all in on amiibo and be yet another underpowered machine? So many questions remain unanswered, opening the door wide to all sorts of exciting possibilities.

There is, however, one thing you can be sure of. The company's new console, currently codenamed NX, will surprise you. The house of Mario marches to the beat of its own drum, sometimes to its detriment, but oftentimes to its benefit.

We simply can't wait to see what the company is cooking up, so we've taken the time to compile a nice little wishlist that only scratches at the surface of what we hope Nintendo NX will feature. Join us as we speculate with naive optimism.

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Nintendo NX Wishlist

Wii U Backwards Compatibility

Like the Wii U and Wii before it, Nintendo has allowed fans to play their last-gen library of Nintendo games on its new hardware. As such, we'd really like to see this trend carry over to NX. After all, it would be a crying shame if all those great Wii U games remained bound to a console that has had such a small install base.
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rnThe launch model of the original Wii was able to read those GameCube mini-discs, and its successor supported the entire Wii catalog as well as its vast array of peripherals. Does that mean the NX needs a controller with a touch screen to continue the trend? Probably. We still have no clue what sort of form (or forms) the system will take, so backwards compatibility may be a tricky matter, but we're confident Nintendo is capable of finding a feasible solution.
Virtual Console With GameCube Support

Why Wii U owners can't download GameCube games from Nintendo's online store is beyond me. We've seen titles for NES, SNES, N64, Wii, and even DS, but not a single GameCube game has made it to the eShop. Nintendo, it is time.
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rnInstead of launching the NX and slowly building its digital marketplace by trickling out Virtual Console games at a snail's pace, it sure would be nice to have a robust selection on day one. Is it out of the realm of possibility to hope this may actually happen? I hope not.
Proper 3D Mario Adventure at Launch

This one is an absolute no brainer. Wii U owners were deprived of a proper 3D Mario adventure (no, Super Mario 3D World does not count). It's been quite a while since the release of Galaxy 2, and there's no doubt that team is hard at work on a new game starring everyone's favorite plumber. As such, it should really be ready to go on day one of the NX launch.
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rnNX needs a killer app on release day, and what better way to win consumers over with a brand-new Mario game? Having Super Mario 64 certainly didn't hurt the launch of N64! While some want Super Mario Galaxy 3, I've got my fingers crossed in the hopes it's something wildly different. Surprise us, Nintendo!
Metroid Prime 4 From Retro Studios

After blowing gamers away with the Metroid Prime games, Retro Studios took a break from Samus Aran to breathe new life into the Donkey Kong Country series. While those games are fantastic, I think everyone had their fill of the Kong crew with Tropical Freeze and are ready for a full-blown HD Metroid Prime game.
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rnThe trio of first-person Metroid games are beautiful in their own right, but can you imagine how gorgeous a new entry in the series may look running on far more powerful hardware in glorious high definition? I'm drooling at the thought of it right now. NX needs Metroid Prime 4, or at the very least, an HD remake of the original Prime.
Enhanced Port of Zelda Wii U

While Nintendo insists the next console Zelda game is definitely coming to Wii U, there's a good chance it will also be getting a release on NX. After all, the company pulled a similar stunt with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which released as both a GameCube game and Wii launch title.
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rnThe Legend of Zelda is one of the most important and beloved franchises Nintendo owns, so it's hard to imagine the company pouring so much development time and resources into a game that will only be available to Wii U's criminally small user base.
Robust Online With Proper Voice Chat

Nintendo has been behind the curve in the online department for far too long. While the Miiverse is great, it's time the company embraces a socially-connected ecosystem, where gamers are not only able to freely chat with one another but also easily stream and share content.
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rnSplatoon and Mario Kart 8 are two perfect instances in which Nintendo is taking steps in the right direction, but not willing to fully commit. Hopefully that changes with NX. It better.
Portability and 3DS Backwards Compatibility

While it's clear the Wii U is on its way out, the 3DS is getting old and due for a successor too. Does this mean NX will be some sort of hybrid console that not only interfaces with your TV but can also be taken on the go? One can only hope!
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rnWhether Nintendo decides to release a separate version of NX that is specifically designed to leave the house or a versatile machine that can double as a home console and handheld, we're hoping that all the games you can play on the TV can also be carried with you wherever you go. There's also been talk of Nintendo ditching discs with NX and going the mini-cartridge route, using a format similar to what we're seeing for 3DS. If that means no Wii U backwards compatibility, perhaps Nintendo plans to satiate fans by instead working in support for all your old 3DS games.