Nintendo can learn a lot from the GC to Wii transition. At the time, Wii offered:
-A fresh, high-tech, trendy, mature looking-product. It was modeled after the new i-Device look and it was a stark contrast to GCN.
-2 mature looking, modern, graphically advanced takes on classic franchises in SMG and Zelda:TP.
-A brand new IP that everyone loved in Wii Sports.
-An exciting new way to experience gaming in the Wii Remote.
-For the first time, access to endless back-catalog titles through Virtual Console.
-The lack of HD visuals weren't an issue at launch, since most homes didn't have HDTV and the HD systems were costly.
Now, while appreciating the past success, it is important to also make note of what has changed:
-Respectably powerful machines are now relatively less expensive.
-The industry has largely consolidated in terms of hardware format.
-Online subscriptions have become standard practice.
-Physical media is shrinking in importance, but digital content is more important than ever.
-Mobile devices are extremely popular, especially with young people and casual-gaming adults.
So, for NX to be a success, Nintendo should:
-Develop a new, fresh styling and image, a beautiful new system and branding that looks high-tech.
-Build a powerful system, exploiting the recent advances in tech that occurred since the launch of One and 4. A next-gen GPU, perhaps with 8 or more gigs of HBM. Discs can be ditched in favor of cart/flash media, with a large hard drive taking the space in the system. Without excessive cost Nintendo could offer a product greatly superior to anything on the market by 2017 or 2018 at the latest.
-Create an awesome online service. An annual subscription gives you access to multiplayer, but also included access to the full 8- to 64-bit catelog, and periodic discounts to GCN and Wii titles.
-Expand eShop to include movie purchases and rentals, perhaps partnering with an established video provider.
-Exploit the new Mobile venture to create the latest Candy Crush like craze. Then create a premium version of the mobile titles for NX that links with the moblie version, making the NX seem like a premium must-have product to the casual audience, since it plays the better version of the game they love on their mobile device.
-Design at least 2 must-have mature-friendly titles for launch. One could be Super Mario Universe, which should include an awesome online competitive multiplayer mode where you battle people from around the globe using Mario characters and powerups.
-Other launch titles could include games such as MP:4, a delayed and ported Zelda U or perhaps an JRPG from Mistwalker.
-A third must-have launch title must be included and must be something not typically associated with Nintendo. A AAA third party exclusive or timed exclusive is ideal here. It's a drastic and costly step, but something Nintendo must do. They must blow some cash. Either buy a third party publisher (such as Take-2) outright and bring their major titles (like GTA6) exclusive, or pay some millions and have GTA6 a timed exclusive title for say the 2017 Christmas season before it can be ported to 8th gen in the spring. This would grab the attention of the hardcore fans and force/encourage them to try out the NX if they want to feel their playing the latest big thing.
-Fund/buy/create a few smaller western studios now to have some fresh western content post-launch. Think studios like Gunfire Games. They should have a couple exclusive games ready for year one, and a few more for year 2.
-Ditch the second screen controller, but offer it as an option and allow for pairing with other mobile devices. The new NX controller should offer Wii-Mote like sensing and pointing built-in.
Marketing: It's not very important at all. People talk about it all the time in sighting reasons why Wii U bombed, but they forget that their were long lines at e3 2006 long before a Wii ad was ever shown. The key is to make an exciting, fresh product that the market wants. The marketing will then take care of itself.
