Nintendo "Experimenting" with Apps for Tablets, Phones

We've heard from previous reports that Nintendo investors want the company to sink its teeth into support for mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. Heck, gamers want the same thing, and both Microsoft and Sony have taken that step to some degree. But what about Nintendo? Why can't the company offer some of its titles in a reduced format that won't take away from the hardware sales?

According to Nintendo of America's COO and President, Reginald "Reggie" Fils-Aime, that's a topic of debate that arises all the time. The company is well aware of the number of mobile devices Nintendo could cash in on, but right now Nintendo is "being very smart" about how it will use the devices as marketing tools.

"We're also doing a lot of experimentation of what I would call the little experiences you can have on your smartphone and tablet that will drive you back to your Nintendo hardware," Fils-Aime told KING 5 News. "It's largely going to be much more marketing activity-oriented, but we've done little things where there's some element of gameplay – a movement, a shaking, something like that."

"We believe our games are best played and best enjoyed on our devices," he added, "and so the full game play will only be on Nintendo devices."

The interview goes on to talk about how the Wii U doesn't have the same success as the industry-changing Wii. Yet Fils-Aime said that it's too premature to call the current console a failure, as it still has a few more years to go. The problem, it seems, is that the proprietary experiences are taking their time getting to the market. Wii Fit U is a perfect example: the game was slated for Q1 2013 but won't arrive until Q1 2014.

"The delay in some of this key software is really what's been difficult for us," he said. "What I can tell you is that we have a very strong pipeline coming."

If Nintendo were to produce content for mobile devices, what would it be? We could easily see older games make an appearance, similar to what Sega and Square Enix are doing on Android and iOS. What about a watered-down "little experience" version of Mario Kart to compete with Angry Birds Go! and Sonic Racing? Pack it with elements that could unlock specific features in the full-blown Wii U/3DS version.

Regardless, to read the full interview, head here.

  • Elevory
    Or just make games for the PC. I would buy so many Nintendo games.
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    i'm preparing myself for a boatload of pokewalker apps

    Watch the language - G
    Reply
  • NightLight
    nes emulator app for xbox one?
    Reply
  • Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer
    12233564 said:
    i'm preparing myself for a boatload of shitty pokewalker apps
    "My body is ready."
    Reply
  • knowom
    I agree Nintendo should make PC games.
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    i THIRD that. seriously, it's a market you can only grow in and it mostly likely would only help the company. pc gamers purchase consoles still, but i bet they aren't making much off that wii u anyway...HD LINK
    Reply
  • kinggraves
    It's so weird how I see a sensationalist title and already know Kevin wrote it. Since when did "gamers" start considering mobile actual games? Nintendo releasing their titles for other systems would be incredibly shortsighted. Exclusivity protects the IPs and still guarantees them hardware sales. Listening to investors is a good way to run it into the ground, those pigs just like to play games with the stock. Who do you think wanted the Wii U to look and act like Wii instead of being a "hardcore" machine? Don't become Sega or Squeenix, those ships are sinking fast.
    Reply
  • seinfeld
    console creators. need to embrace the smartphone and tablet market. as well as PC. if sony and microsoft provided me with a PCI-E x4 with the necessary hardware to decode the games and run them on my windows machine (or a new O/S) which ever they want to do. Id be more then happy to pay $200 for the hardware + the cost of games. now that its X86/64 technology there shouldnt be any reason to not do it. they would increase their sales and reduce build demand on their own systems. its win win!
    Reply
  • hakesterman
    $ 59.99 For Digital down Loads is a Rip Off. People please I beg you don't pay it, a new Game Digital down load should cost no more than $ 44.00. We have to make them understand that over charging for digital down loads is unacceptable.
    Reply
  • kinggraves
    It's so weird how I see a sensationalist title and already know Kevin wrote it. Since when did "gamers" start considering mobile actual games? Nintendo releasing their titles for other systems would be incredibly shortsighted. Exclusivity protects the IPs and still guarantees them hardware sales. Listening to investors is a good way to run it into the ground, those pigs just like to play games with the stock. Who do you think wanted the Wii U to look and act like Wii instead of being a "hardcore" machine? Don't become Sega or Squeenix, those ships are sinking fast.
    Reply