Topic: If you had Iwatas ear what ideas would you give him to help Nintendo succeed?

This is what I would tell him:

I think they should give us some sort of cross buy/upgrade pricing linked to NNID.

I can have multiple ID's on my Wii U and only one per 3DS. So I bought Ninja Gaiden on Wii, paid upgrade pricing to get it on Wii U, now if I want it on 3DS I have to pay $5? That's lame, at least offer it me for $1 if I want it on 3DS since I already own it, bought the cart brand new when it was out at Toys R Us with my paper route money, bought the cart used recently, bought it on Wii, and on Wii U.....let me play it on 3DS free or on the cheap.

I also think they should update the software to make the gamepad optional, you should be able to do everything with a TV and pro-controller with out having your gamepad in your hands. Right now even games that let you play with the pro controller will require a gamepad to be connected before they will launch. Requiring the gamepad for text entry is annoying since I can do it just fine with the D-pad and buttons so why do I need to grab my gamepad for this?

I have seen parts breakdowns published that put the gamepad as around 1/3 of the consoles price. If they fix the software to not require the gamepad I think it makes sense for them to sell the Wii U for $200 with out the gamepad. Sure there will be some games you can't play unless you get one, but for someone who is just looking for a one screen experience there is a bunch of games that can work just fine without the gamepad (the entire Off TV play enabled library for example). The big games coming like DK, Kart, and Smash don't need the gamepad so if a $200 console can play these games just fine they will sell more consoles and SW.

I also think they should go ahead and make it useful when they charge you 50 cents to get a minor a NNID. Parents have the option, make the minors have limited access and more protection in place and then give the adults their Swapnote back. Either don't allow minors access or give the parent who registered the minor have the option with the default as blocking access. Then you can register their real birthday and maybe refund that 50 cents when they turn 18 or something.

For their next console they should go ahead and go all out to compete directly with the competition. Launch early to get a head start and take advantage of it by fixing some problems. Use the NNID adult vs minor idea to give robust online support like the competition to adults while giving parents the option and still being able to protect minors. Make it as standard as possible to attract multi-plats. Doing this will give them the best versions of multi-plats while they have their head start. Put all your money in to console power and not a gimmic to ensure this console has the longest life. Mimic the vita/PS4 model to where the new handheld allows off tv play and gamepad type of functionality...still expensive but more people would take advantage because the handhelds are so popular. Once you got great versions of mult-plats hit hard with some great Nintendo Exclusives at launch and while you have the head start. Do all this and you hope for a PS2 type of victory where your console is so popular during it's head start that the competition has no chance to catch up.

I'd tell him to keep up the good work but to teach the fans how to

am I doing it right @MAB?

I'd tell him to stop by the house.

I would rock up to Nintendo HQ and be like this is what you need to do:

A Nintendo approved external hard drive for the Wii U.
Regular software sales in the eShop.
Real accounts, so that users can easily transfer their purchases to another console.

Making current Wii U owners as satisfied as possible should be their top priority. The thing isn't gonna sell if we can't even recommend it over the other available options.

I'd suggest some cross promotion:

I'd give him a helix fossil.

I wonder if Reggie suggested that to him?

Pretty sure most people who want Iwata's ear _{or whatever} would just suggest random crap, that applies only to said person.

Long rambly posts aren't going to get time of day, except on the Internet.

I would ask Iwata to make the Gamepad required for every game developed for the Wii U

If I had his ear I would sell it back to him for a high price.

Ask him why I can't connect my 32X to wii u and suggest he remedy this serious problem.

Hey Iwata..Go Do what you are Doing..
But let Your Fans to Advertising while you are Thinking of New Ideas for Wii U!
Sounds Weird...But better than Nothing!

@sevex
I like most of these a bunch but don't see too much value in the Wii U branded Hard Drive....I guess it would help promote digital sales for people who just don't understand you can use USB storage. Good stuff.

@Unca_Lz

Don't make me go all OCD on you!!!!

If you're going to be different, be different. Use the gamepad more often, know 3rd parties will run like rats if you don't pander to them like children (they have to make money too), buy/merge/etc. to strengthen your own investments/dev teams. Oh, and Virtual Console...you should just have a dedicated team to making it amazing.

Isn't this thread kinda incredibly similar to the many other threads about this site concerning this topic? There's just so many "how can we improve the Wii U?" threads.... I'm tired of repeating myself. Lol

I would hate to have been the guy to make that gif. How many things are the exact opposite of what's going on?