Now that optical discs are getting less and less important and many may not even need an optical drive why not go back to the cheapest type available, a top loader. Not only does this reduce costs but it also allows easy loading of both full size and gamecube discs. If the next Nintendo console is sufficiently powerful it can emulate gamecube, wii and wii u and it really won't need to be super powerful to do so.
The downside of course is you have to allow more space above the console and many consoles nowadays go for the convenience of slot loading, even Microsoft is a convert.
Keeping the optical drive costs down means more money can be spent on the main chipset or other features of the console. Not only that but improved reliability means lower warranty costs for Nintendo.
Would you accept a top loader nowadays or would you prefer no optical drive at all. Is it worth the extra $5-15 in additional manufacturing costs that may represent $30-50 more at retail to have a smart looking slot drive? Is top loading too retro and likely to make Nintendo look out of date again, this time with the wrong type of optical drive?
