It's good that it isn't their goal... because there's no way in hell they would ever actually achieve it.

Way to aim low and keep expectations even lower Nintendo. Watch them add things like "friends lists" and "party chat / lobbies" when the Wii U is released and then tout them as huge advancements in online gaming lol.

This is terrible news -- i really don't understand why Nintendo has be dragged along kicking and screaming for every single online improvement.
Where is the unified structure?
Where is the account system?
Why do i have to re-buy all my VC games if my Wii dies?
Where is the single friends list? Where is cross-game chat?
Why can't i use one account for 3DS and WiiU?
Why can't Wii be patched to support this account?
Why doesn't Nintendo understand the importance of online?

better online than the 3DS would be nice, but not necessary IMO

Nintendo likes confusing the fuck out of people.... they said after E3 that we are focusing more on online with the wii U and now they are saying the opisite, they also said the WiiU can only support 1 tablet.. then Reggie comes along and says it can support 2 tablets. I'm starting to believe that they dont even know what their own system does their selves. lol

Nintendo doesn't need the best online system and I think it would be foolish for them to try and overtake X-Box Live. Nintendo usually does not follow the competition, they lead. If they aren't leading they improve but they find a way to lead again. Online Nintendo is going to find a way to yet again be a trail blazer whether they are the best or not doesn't matter.

Nintendo already said they are going to give developers freedom to design online the way they want. Emulating likely what we see on PC right now. That may not mean a Live copy but it will lead the industry again because neither Live nor PSN allow the developers to create their own online experiances and networks.

So even if Nintendo doesn't have what gamers consider the best online, yet again Nintendo will be offering a unique and different experiance leading the industry even if it isn't considered the best!

Why do people quote others only to repeat the first part of what they said?

Dont care about online gaming. Never have, never will.

Local multiplayer is the holy grail of console gaming.

Local multiplayer is fun and all (watching people react is 90% of the enjoyment), but if I want to play a huge 8 vs. 8 shooter with friends, local multiplayer just doesn't cut it.

Personally, I'd say that single player and local multiplayer is the holy grail of both PC and console.

I'd take LAN over online, any day.

Of course, for some games, online is simply required, such as massively multiplayer games, clan systems and similar.

However, I can't see that being problematic to implement.

Of course it's not their goal, Nintendo is not in the PC gaming business.