Nintendo plans to unveil the Wii successor, codenamed Project Café (or Stream) at E3 2011, June 7-9; with all the rumors and speculation flying around the Internet, Nintendo fans are bursting with excitement. I personally anticipate the details to hush the fear of receiving another disappointing console from the powerhouse company. Since June still stands a few weeks away I have compiled what I want to see to convince me of a day one purchase come 2012.

It Has to Launch with Good First-Party Games

Despite releasing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Super Mario Galaxy, among others, the Wii had a tough start. I still, to this day, do not own a Wii or a GameCube. Neither really captured me the way the Nintendo 64 and prior had. Maybe due to a lack of money, maybe not, but those systems didn’t get my blood pumping like playing Super Mario 64. Sure, I’ve played both the Wii and GameCube on occasion though they never sold me.

I want my return to a Nintendo home console to ignite a fire within my heart. I want to see Mario and Link in glorious high-definition and melt from pure desire. I’ve heard mumblings from some press outlets about Nintendo’s obsession with rehashing their intellectual properties. While I do agree that the appeal of a fat plumber and a mute elf can become tiresome, denying these characters debut on a new platform would be a grand mistake. Regardless of what some journalists may feel, Nintendo sinks itself in the Marios and Zeldas because the majority recognizes these iconic personalities as symbols of their brand.

I certainly want an HD Mario, Zelda, and more. Go for it; rehash! However, Nintendo also needs something new, something fresh. Their timeless toons may sell consoles, but not in the long term. How many people will buy a Project Café system for Mario Party 87 or Mario & Sonic Olympic Sluggers and Strikers? Nintendo’s last decent original IP was Pikmin for the GameCube – released roughly ten years ago. Since then Nintendo has plagued their faithful followers with Wii Sports, Wii Music, and Wii Whatever for the ability to print money. They raked in an unbelievable and unprecedented amount of income for these but simultaneously threw their fanboy followers to the wayside.

Not only do they need to reinvigorate the “hardcore” and establish a worthy new IP, Nintendo also needs to sustain a reliable release schedule of good titles over an elongated period of time. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword appears to be the only first-party release in the latter-half of 2011. They need to space their timeline out, not just sell me on the initial games.

It Has to Incorporate Reliable Online Services

Even though I don’t own a Wii, I can’t say that it hasn’t tempted me before. I’m a huge fan of the PlayStation Network Store and Xbox Live Arcade download scene. I look at the digital release schedules as passionately as I do the retail. The Wii’s Virtual Console has called to me over the years. I can download emulators and ROM files for free on my PC, though I’d much rather support the industry and pay for the ability to play retro games I no longer own again.

The Virtual Console offers a plethora of choices for those feeling nostalgic. Castlevania, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Metroid, Bubble Bobble, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, and more are all available for easy purchase and play. Rumors state that Project Café will continue this concept, hopefully improving and expanding upon it.

In addition to downloads, I also want the new system to incorporate online functionality and services in a reliable manner. Sony and Microsoft seem on the right path for this generation, and expectedly next, and I hope Nintendo can transition into the connected realm. I love being able to see what my friends are playing, have played, completion progress, achievements/trophies they’ve acquired, and being able to chat with them easily. If Nintendo employs a comparable structure then I’m a step closer to purchase.

It Has to Use a Modern Controller

The most palpable deterrent to the Wii is its controller; the Wiimote is an abomination. They tried to rectify this for certain experiences by introducing the Class Controller, and to some extent they succeeded, though I request further reconciliation. Internet rumors suggest that Project Café’s controller will feature twin sticks, face buttons, and all the other gizmos a standard console controller has with the addition of a built-in touch screen.

That’s fine. Nintendo has sent precedents in the past – just look at the Kinect and Project Move – though I hope developers realize this as an add-on rather than a revolution. Bring me back to the 64, SNES, and NES. I don’t want to waggle, I don’t want to dance, and I don’t want to play with light-gun mechanics; they worked in the arcade era but I don’t want that in my home. After working all day I want to come home, sit my ass on the couch, kick my feet up, and play games with a familiar controller in my hand. Forcing me to angle a device towards a sensor bar is not my idea of fun.

Dear Nintendo,

Okay, you’ve had your fun with the Wii. You’ve made more money than any deity, now it’s time to get serious and convince me to purchase your latest latte. I’m eagerly waiting for that weekend in June and I hope your promises are sufficient. I want to love you, Nintendo, but you have to give me reason to.