Iwata: Embracing Smart Devices Has Made Us Even More Passionate About Dedicated Games Consoles

Although I'm not a fan of mobile games, there is a sense of rationality of setting up a unification of mobile, portable and home console from day one of bringing a new system out. The idea of Tetris and endless runner style games being on mobile, AND on a handheld device which also plays handheld games, AND a both of these platforms being available on a home console that still has AAA games on it makes a lot of sense, if only because it fills the platforms up with games without taking 3rd party into account. This hasn't been announced how it will work but there seems to be a certain amount of logic to it.

But at the end of the day these mobile games won't be made by Miyamoto, Aonuma, or Sakurai- so there will still be a reason to own exclusive Ninty platforms.

I believe non and casual gamers will say 'Oh these games came from this ' oh my maybe I'll get this handheld or console. And play the real versions.

Nintendo must make a dedicated mobile device for these games.

Pokemon Shuffle, could been a Smartphone game, without the battle aspect. I mean, it's structured like one, Free download, in app purchases, life regeneration and match 3 or more...

@A01 Can i ask you why this is delusional?

@A01 I don't think that Nintendo's only goal is to convince people from coming over to their Handhelds. I think that expanding their business and venturing into other territories to see if a profit can be made, is their main goal...

"the Japanese veteran also revealed that it is working on a new home console, codenamed Nintendo NX."

Really?? All i have read from the transcript is that they are working on a "new dedicated gaming system". I think everyone is jumping to conclusions about it when no one knows what it actually is. Especially since it then goes on to say that the new account system will cover 3DS, WiiU and NX. I think we need a bit more info before we start talking as though it is confirmed as a new home console.

"the day that hell has frozen over"

Should have made that the photo caption @Damo

8th article in 3 hours - not counting the 2 on uNiX - about this, going to be a long morning catching up.

If there's ever a vote I'm "aye" on the IP move to smart devices. Have been ever since Nitneod came out w/ Dr. Mario like a hundred years ago. It should be the first 1 to go.

By offering freemium games on smartphones, Nintendo will make you appreciate console games more. That's what Iwata meant.

@Nintendian I like this idea. Animal Crossing mobile where you are only allowed to do things for a set amount of time and if you want to buy things better buy bell packs from the in app store! Tom Nook is even perfect as an overlord to pay off your loan with real cash money!

Then people will say, i'll just buy a Nintendo handheld and the new game and save the money while having a better experience. And that is just one game!

@A01 - "Because there are no gamers on iOS and Android."

I'm pretty sure almost the entire country of Japan disagrees w/ you, and Puzzles and Dragons wouldn't have made so much money if you were correct.

http://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/57076/its-official-puzzle-and-dragons-is-the-first-mobile-game-to-1-billion-in-revenue/

The 2nd part of your argument may be correct, why switch over to a 3DS from a phone or tablet? I don't think you're correct on that point either but you might be, but I'm sure there are PLENTY of people gaming on smart devices who consider themselves to be "gamers".

Maybe you don't think they're gamers, but I'm guessing they don't care what you think.

@A01 I agree 100%. A $1 game on a subsidized phone vs. a $300 to $400 Console?

I am so afraid of click games, I am like no no no no no, Mario diner Dash! Legend of Zelda tile based idiot game that literally all you do is click popups and do scripted events. Nintendo Bejeweled clones? They need to be careful!

All this is increasing brand awareness. It would be foolish for Nintendo to neglect not only the ever-expanding app store revenue stream, but also the opportunity to gain more relevancy/exposure in today's greatest electronic mass market.

Imagine instead of "Game of War" or "Clash of Clans" ads in between app play, people see full on trailers of the next console Mario game. There are freakin' 2 year olds who know how to use iPad. Fill their heads with Pokémon, Mario, etc. apps!

Keep pushing the brand, something is bound to bite.

The worst thing this can do is to scare off third parties - "if not even Nintendo believes in their hardware, why should we make games for them?".

I play very little on smartphone games, they are so frustrating. Touch is a terrible input system for games, even the good ones.

Why now Nintendo? Why? Just when Amiibo was giving them a cash boost, the New 3DS, and some great new games recently.. Things were really looking up for dedicated portable gaming hardware. Then this bombshell ;_;

@A01 I think you are looking at it on a whole different viewpoint then everyone else. What nintendo wants to do is to get back those people who bought a wii but turned to smart phones instead. Through games like on IOS and android they can advertise there consoles and there will have a more complete better and enjoyable experience, the fact that familied are willing to spend money on consoles when they all is play is like 5 minutes on the bus are maybe there kids, alot of kids ahve smartphones and they want this more full experience im 100% sure about this. What nintendo does what no other gaming company does is there excellent quality of games, and when theres no real competition on the mobile market, nintendo can almost walk in there and release not one, not two but several titles that will make lots of money. Nintendo is also known for their inovative products games, and if they happen to do it in the mobile market things are gonna be huge for nintendo if they do it right, and nintendo as a company are really professional about this, they learned alot from there past mistakes. So what is gonna make mobile who play games to buy a console? well if the enjoyment factor is big enough for kids atleast they will ask there parents for the consoles, thats preatty much it, most kids play games not adults, now what about teenagers? Well im preatty sure its the same thing as with the kids, im sure they like to be introduced to consoles and are curious how it works.

...but it is not because we have lost passion or vision for the business of dedicated video game systems...
When you start working with smart devices, you lose, period. Nintendo, smart device users will not buy your consoles, regardless of how you try to bring both together. If anything, the opposite will occur, making people think that the app versions of Nintendo games are cheaper than getting the console AND the game, because they're constantly told exactly that through insultingly low-priced trash on their respective online platforms.

@A01 My thoughts exactly!

It's something they have to do. One of the biggest problems Nintendo has had is in their marketing. Awareness of their products and properties has not been brilliant. This gets a brand name consumers know out in the open quite a bit more. Even if they don't make a dime, the marketing element, if done right, could be a gold mine.

I'll bet the manual is the 1st thing they're porting over to smart devices.

Though more awareness is always good(especially when pretty much everyone owns a device you are spreading it on), I have to side with @A01 @Kaze_Memaryu .

Nintendo doesn't want to devalue IP so will still ensure that stuff released on mobile is quality. If someone can get quality stuff for cheap, why the hell would they 'waste'(in their mind) $200-250+ on a separate system/device, not including the prices of individual, 'full games'?

This is a good way to spread brand awareness. Almost (or over) 2 billion people uses a smart device worldwide.
Games are one thing people are mostly focus on but what about apps that relies on or is more useful if you own one or both Nintendo systems (ex. Eshop).

For all I know it could end up like the Pokemon TCG that is now also on smart devices. Some people here didn't even know this is the same thing that's on PC and Mac or that it exist (awareness) and it didn't ruin the brand like others said (Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire).

@Lalivero @A01 @Kaze_Memaryu
There are plenty of dedicated console gamers even who also game on their smartphones. They won't be willing to shell out $300-$400 to try out Nintendo again, but they'll shell out $2 at a coffee shop. More forward thinking, there are also kids who grow up into wanting deeper game experiences.

Also, they don't have to get anyone to "switch" to Nintendo, just be convinced to get a NIntendo console in addition to what they play on.

Is the suggestion supposed to be that anyone who plays a game or two on an XB1 or PS4 doesn't play smart phone games? That's just completely absurd.

"it is working in a new home console, codenamed Nintendo NX"? No one has said it's a HOME console Damon, you should change that line

I don't mind the idea of companion apps on mobile devices; I would love a pokedex app or some sort of mii verse social media app on my phone.

I, however, am not interested in casual games for mobile and more than likely wouldn't buy those as they generally offer a less than satisfying experience.

@A01 I certainly play mobile games. Have you ever played Plague Inc.? It's fantastic. And I'm a real gamer. I think you have no idea what you're talking about.

Other M 2 - only for smart phones and tablets.

Now you're playing with power.....mobile powah!!!

I agree, the reason I prefer playing games on my 3DS, WiiU, and even computer is that I get PHYSICAL CONTROLS, and touch screens aren't really as good for most kinds of games I enjoy playing....and no, endless runners are also worse with just a touch screen as Bit Trip Runner 1 and 2 proves

Providing Nintendo IP as a teaser demo for a console based system makes a lot of sense. I hope that in addition Nintendo will provide companion phone applications to your console game (linked to your club Nintendo account) so you can play mini games to improve your HP, get extra lives, tips, notifications etc. back in the main console game. Using mobile games as a platform to keep the player interested and help make progress in a console game during brief "mobile" moments (waiting for the bus etc) would drive console game sales and keep you coming back to the console to redeem your mobile achievements.

I hope to god we don't have to start all over again with a new eshop/new store!! I'll be pissed!! All the indie and virtual console games I've downloaded on wii u already should be accessible and downloadable from day one of their next consoles release!!
Will also give owners of the new system who DIDNT BUY A WII U plenty of choices right from launch day!!

Seeing fanboys hate the idea is amusing. Most of you have a smart phone. By expanding this gives you another platform to enjoy Nintendo games on and you're upset?
Think of all the different controllers you have used before from past systems ( NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U). Each one rearranged buttons in a different formation, and or added analog sticks, triggers, motion, touch, etc. Each system had stellar software that was designed to match the controller and you were open minded enough to try a different controller each time unlike the Playstation crowd.
They will design the games to match the touch control scheme. You're not going to play Super Mario 3D World 2 on mobile. You will be getting something that takes advantage of mobile's strength.