Topic: Question about licensing

http://www.nintendo.com/corp/licensees_third.jsp

"Below, you will find a list of companies that are licensed to create games for Nintendo systems >and characters.<"

1. What is the system for getting this license
2. So these companies could make a Mario game since the license includes Mario characters? If so what would it take for Nintendo to approve?

to become a licenses nintendo developer, you have to have already released some quality and at least decent selling games.
i doubt that it means any of them could just put mario in a game whenever they want. nintendo would definitely want to oversee and first approve anything like that.

So how would you pitch something like that to them

Are you making a game?

No I'm just curious

The only thing I can think of is maybe contacting Nintendo with that question. I doubt any of us can answer that question since the only one that can really answer that is Nintendo themselves.

if you had a few successful games, then you would contact nintendo and say 'hay i made these games, and i would like to become a developer for you' then you pay them a bunch of money to get your dev kit and software.

edit: quick google search found this
https://wiiu-developers.nintendo.com/

double edit:
if you are interested in making games check out unity3d, you can make games for computer (pc mac linux) mobile( ios, android, windows, blackberry) and if you actually become a licences dev, you can use it for the big consoles (xbox, playstation, and nintendo). they have a free and pro version.

you can fill out a form (and yes it asks about previous game dev experience)

There's also WarioWorld just found that website ye

One thing is for sure: they will never allow a new third-party dev to use their IP. If you seriously want to pitch an idea to them, don't use Mario (or Zelda etc)

Hyrule Warriors is being developed by a third party

With Nintendo's permission

That's what I was saying

It isn't easy for us to answer what questions you're asking... since we don't know. At all.

Okay

Okay