One of the reason why X and Y has such great online functions is because they are easily accessible almost everytime in the game. This is because of the Player Search System aka PSS.
Those screens are always availabe in the 3DS touch screen except when you're battling or accessing the bag. And after you finish battling or accessing your bag, the touch screen (left screenshot) will refresh with new contacts. The right screen shot shows the variety of online features X and Y has. Again these are always available in the 3DS touchscreen when you're not using your bag or battling.
And even when you are battling or using items, someone can still contact you. A message will appear on the top of your touch screen stating that someone online wishes to connect trade, or battle with you. That message does not even block any action in the touch screen nor does it look awkwardly floating on the top of you screen.
The amazing part of PSS is that its running on a handheld while you are playing a game in single player mode! There is no reason for Smash Bros, Mario Kart, or future online Wii U games to not have the GamePad Screen dedicated to searching contacts and friends online. X and Y showed gamers the benefit of having a touch screen for online multiplayer games in a handheld and future Wii U games should take note with the GamePad screen.
Do you think we deserve to have something like the PSS funciton for future online Wii U games?
edit: accessing party screen or pressing x will take the touch screen away from the PSS. But most of the time PSS is readily available
