Nintendo in Japan currently means iQue

Tokyo-based games consultant Serkan Toto has told Nikkei that Nintendo has decided against producing unique hardware for the Chinese market.

The plans were revealed last year, with Nintendo seemingly poised to take advantage of China's removal of a ban on games consoles. Rather than launch the Wii U in that region, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata voiced the opinion that "something new" would be required to really make an impact in emerging markets like China. Both Sony and Microsoft have released their existing next-generation systems in China, albeit after some high-profile delays.

It would appear that Nintendo is focusing on its current business interests - one of which includes working with DeNA on smartphone games - rather than biting off more than it can chew. This decision doesn't mean that Nintendo won't revisit these plans in the future, of course. It could also mean that a change of plan is afoot, and Nintendo may copy Sony and Microsoft by launching its current home system in China. Until we know more, this is naturally all speculation.

Do you think this was the right course of action, or do you feel that Nintendo has allowed its rivals to steal a march in one of the biggest potential markets in the world? Let us know by posting a comment below.

[source mcvuk.com]