Since when does Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft do what the fans want? They do what is most profitable and feasible within their companies polocies. And they also do what they believe is best for the franchise/game (e.g. Miyamoto). People may not agree with it (like Matt from IGN), but it's not his decision or anybody elses on how a game will be developed.
These companies might use "what the fans want" as a basis on what they plan to achieve, but they should keep in mind that "profit" and "marketing" be their ideal concerns.
Nintendo's marketing has been it's downfall. There has been hardly anything advertising Nintendo's games/system/products compared to that of MS and Sony. People constantly say "Nintendo has poor sales". And of course it's because of the marketing. If the public doesn't know about a product from the media in general (e.g. TV, Radio, Cinema), then of course it ain't gonna sell as well as one that has been cleverly and heavily marketed (e.g. PS2/Xbox).
The most significant point for me with going online for consoles is the fighting games. Kof2002, CVS2 etc would be awesome. I couldn't care less for FPS online for consoles, coz they are better on PC....plain and simple. I don't believe in downloading new maps/levels etc because in the long run, it would lead to a demise for quality gaming. Developers would constantly delay new games with "upgrades". Diablo II anyone? Still waiting for Diablo III. No actually I'm still waiting for the latest patch to get rid of all the hackings from Diablo II. And now I've stopped playing the game.
So yeh, bring online for fighting games! All the way. I could kick anyone's ass @ KOF/CVS
On the upside the GC is getting a lot more support from 3rd party companies than the N64, and a lot more sales. I admit Nintendo cannot compete with Sony due to it's lack of marketing, but that doesn't mean I'm going to miss out on games like Zelda, Pn03, Killer 7, Mario Kart, Mario Sunshine, SSB, Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness, FF:CC, Viewful Joe etc.
Hybrid Mode
