Wii U: The Apps We Want

Nintendo has many questions to answer when it comes to Wii U. Price, release date, launch library, online functionality… all of these are important details that the entire industry wants to know as a new console approaches. But there's another side to the system that Nintendo needs to address, and ideally it will do so at E3.

When Wii launched, it came packaged with several "channels" that expanded the system's functionality beyond simply being a gaming machine. Wanted to check the weather or news? Wanted to view photos? Wanted to play classic games? Wii could do all those things, and as the system matured Nintendo added a few more applications, including the ability to access Netflix.

Wii U is an evolution. It should reflect everything Wii did right, remove what it did wrong, and be better in every single capacity. That applies to apps too. If Wii U is approached in the right way, and if companies understand the phenomenal potential of the system and how its predecessor changed the gaming industry and expanded that market, we could be looking at a casual revolution of an entirely different nature. And it will still play the hardcore games that millions more care about.

Wii U should implement the basic functionality and concepts we've already seen on Wii. Viewing photos? Check. A Virtual Console as well as downloadable original software? Yes. Let's also make sure concepts like a web browser and reports on the weather and news are implemented as well.

Of course, these simple concepts would be augmented by Wii U's second screen. Imagine being able to read one story on the system's tablet while someone else navigates to a different one with a Wii remote. How about being able to view a live weather report for one region and rotating a virtual globe elsewhere to check on family across the world?


The virtual console applications seem almost too obvious. Downloading a game and then taking it elsewhere in the house? What if you could run two different downloaded games simultaneously, one on the tablet with the other on the TV? It'd also be great to see an assortment of mass market casual games, including chess, checkers and Go, as Nintendo demonstrated in the concept video it debuted at E3 2011.

Though most of these ideas are pretty routine for Nintendo at this point, they must be included with Wii U. The key is how they are improved for a two-screen experience - how they can clearly demonstrate the system's impressive inherent capabilities.

Consoles are increasingly becoming hubs for digital activity. In the past several years, this has expanded well beyond simply viewing photos or listening to music. Now consoles can access Netflix, ESPN and plenty more.

Wii U must absolutely embrace this concept, whether Nintendo forges its own alliances or works with major media distribution partners like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube. There is an important distinction here though - Wii U must be different. It's a unique system, and to simply offer the same limited console functionality as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 would be foolish.

Nintendo needs to work with its partners to increase app functionality. Wii U owners should be able to stream one movie to the console's tablet while watching another on the television. Navigation should be touch-based, with a full keyboard implemented, as well as typical Wii remote-based support. Wii U must make watching standard television boring. It must beat Comcast, Time Warner, DirecTV and all other providers at their game. And when those companies realize the power of Wii U, Nintendo should strike deals with them as well.


The multimedia applications for Wii U don't end there. Let's see Pandora make an appearance on the console. Allow customers to download Spotify. Partner with ESPN, HBO and Showtime. The navigation abilities alone have broad implications for gamers casual and hardcore alike, and if more interesting implications can be found (like interactive elements while watching shows or movies), that would be even better.