Shuntaro Furukawa Wants You To Know Nintendo Is "Constantly" Embracing New Technologies

As long Nintendo still making dedicated console or handheld with physical games release, i will try the new things from Nintendo.

Edit: Nintendo, please make a game similar with Reality Fighters PS VITA on Nintendo machine.

If anyone didn’t know Nintendo is constantly researching and evaluating new tech, they’re living under a rock. 🤣 Nintendo is typically at the front of gaming innovation. While they may not have the most powerful hardware, they always lead in new and fresh design on both software and hardware. All one has to do is look at the past 3 decades of their console releases and accessories to see that. Always something new the competition isn’t doing.

Their consistent sidestepping of specs is annoying, but it’s usually offset by something else that’s positive.

I think it's because Nintendo embraced VR in the 90s and got burned badly, that's why they are so skeptical of new tech.

Now, they will wait for the tech to become mainstream before committing themselves to it fully.

Maybe they should get their online services up to speed with the rest of the modern world before they make such statements. Bunch of luddites running Nintendo.

Nintendo only embraces proven tech, which is fine as long as they can make a fun twist with it.

Embrace stronger tech and give us a Switch Pro.

A company that's spent most of its related history introducing and mainstreaming new technologies into video games cops a lot of flak for being slow to adapt to new technologies.

"Shuntaro Furukawa Wants You To Know Nintendo Is "Constantly" Embracing New Technologies"

I think the problem for some people is that they are a bit slow at it. Seriously, just imagine what Super Mario Galaxy and Skyward Sword would have looked like in H.D. at 60 frames per second.

Yeah Nintendo... I hear online gaming platforms and BT wireless audio will go “mainstream” some day. 🙄🤦‍♂️

Also, best people at Nintendo evaluated VR and Online Chat and what they came up with was copying 6 year old Google Cardboard (But without the head strap)... and moving Chat to a phone app with a 2.8 star rating.

You can’t make this stuff up.

The people who think Nintendo doesn't embrace new technology, or is slow to do so, are only thinking about power horsepower. Since the Wii, Nintendo has let themselves fall behind the pure graphical power of their. However, they have also spent every generation trying out new things and making new ideas mainstream. The Wii was a massive hit with motion controls, something Microsoft tried (and failed) to mimic with Kinect. The Switch is the first hybrid console that has enough power to handle mainstream games while also being suitable for portable gaming.
The DS was a massive success thanks to its touchscreen and dual-screen layout. Gaming is more than just squeezing out 4K and framerate.

Hey everyone we embrace new technologies...
Nintendo Direct on Thursday..
Hey everyone here is the Switch Pro!

Seems a bit coincidental.

Kinda sad that people think "embracing new technologies" means "more powerful hardware" rather than the player-based innovations that Nintendo is actually known for (i.e. D-pad, analog stick, motion controls, wireless controller, dual screen, touch screen, HD Rumble, portable/console hybrid, modular hardware, portable gaming in general, etc).

@NoTinderLife I wouldn't say they ''embraced VR''. The Virtual Boy was a 3D display, nothing more. It's no more VR than a 3DS in that regard. They didn't even bother releasing it in Europe, and it was cancelled within six months in Japan and the US. So even if you say it's VR, they hardly ''embraced'' it. A clunky gaming device released with barely any marketing and cancelled soon after.

@dethmart,

Has it been announced?, great news if true, I am off on Thursday.

@NoTinderLife Black and red was a pretty bad idea

Nintendo are the innovators of the industry. Be it some wacky stuff, but most of the time brilliant tech that’s fun and brings something new to the industry. Usually with others trying to imitate, Sony and Microsoft have constantly tried to follow the trends Nintendo have set.

You should hire @Oni_Dino as your translator.

@westman98 @johnvboy
Nothing concrete as yet but a direct is looming so fingers crossed.
Why is more powerful hardware a bad thing?

Adding a high quality camera onto a future pro model could change the game for how the switch is used. Both for gaming applications (further use of AR) and for social media.

@dethmart,

I never stated more power was a bad thing, I merely asked you if a Direct had been announced, or you were just posting rumors.

@Octane,

VR is still failing to gain anything like mass adoption, there are just too many issues in the way for it to catch on in it's current form.

@johnvboy That doesn't contradict what I said?

@dethmart,

The more powerful Switch has been rumored for ages now, Nintendo will at some point have to increase the horsepower of the current model, just not sure they would do it when the original is selling so well, of course with the new Sony and Microsoft consoles coming out later this year it may be a good idea, but as the Switch is not directly competing with these machines who knows?.

I think there will be a pro version at some point, but will it be the core console owners dream console is another matter all together, it may be a more modest upgrade with better battery life and a larger screen.

@Octane,

I was not trying to contradict your comment, as I have no idea where you stand on VR, just adding to your comment with my feelings on the subject.

@johnvboy
The bit about power on my reply wasn't aimed at you 😀. I was responding to another comment

I think this is pretty obvious

Nintendo innovates. That’s what it does although I would like to see them stick with Switch format for a long time now and keep improving it as the other console generations have done with PS4,5 etc.

I mean the joycons are a really great idea and putting out a handheld that is powerful enough that it can run Witcher 3 even after the Vita died was a brave and lucrative move.
LABO is interesting but without good games it's not worth getting. Interesting concept tho.
The Ringcon is just smart. I was really surprised how sturdy that ring feels.
The 3DS, while not for me, was also very appreciated for those that could use it without side effects.

All in all, Nintendo is not very interested in graphics but they always try to invent new ideas and controllers.
The problem is no third party will ever utilize said ideas thus most of them just becomes gimmicks.
Either Nintendo should make more game studios so we can have more exclusives or try to build better relationships with third parties. We don't want another Wii U situation in the future.

I feel like some people are just way too focused on power rather than innovation. Even on the Switch, Nintendo is constantly experimenting with new tech. Just look at the JoyCons, the ToyCons, the Labo VR goggles, the RingFit Adventure Ring, etc. Heck, even the Switch concept itself is pretty innovative.

@Dm9982 yes because they have to make it attractive to children. weak hardware and yet enough punches to make children to want to get the Nintendo hardware. Actually nothing has changed. Nintendo is and will always be aiming at children. The adults were once the children so get along as well because it's nostalgia. I gave up on Nintendo after WII U fiasco... sold it cos too many few good games and the screen resolution on gamepad was so horrible. I felt cheated because there was no quality. To me Switch is a better system along with gamecube and N64.. and of course snes/nes. but WII... no

@KatBear Yes, usually it offsets the cost of the console, and even bigger than that is Nintendo doesn't have to sell the hardware at a loss. By making even a dollar on the unit, it ensures money is pumped back into R&D and keeps them around for the next piece of hardware.

Nintendo does what Nintendo wants and that’s one of the reasons they have survived unlike so many gaming console developers like Sega, Atari, 3DO, SNK, and many others who went down. Their gaming consoles focus on fun and affordability.

I'm really interested in A R but mostly as a separate and independent a screen as opposed to augmented on reality combo.

Just imagine how cheap and immersive it would for two players local to each have their own glasses and by default screen in a First person shooter like outbreak and left for dead. What about star Fox with visuals ported to both players at glasses. Not immersive as virtual reality but just as good when bundle with great software, separate a screen local co-op and hd rumble.

Nintendo for the most part has always marched to its own beat.

@dethmart,

To be honest I thought as much.

It's hard to take this comment to seriously with the state of Nintendo network structure and code. Their software still follows the design principles from the era of LAN parties. I could presume that their network team was hired in the early 00's and have remand manly unchanged, in both person and ideas.

What Nintendo excel at is innovation, and they are trend setting in this regards. But innovation is not the same as being current with technical development.

Yeah okay. Talk is cheap

As interesting as I find some of Nintendo's "innovations", I'd rather see a competitive Nintendo console that can handle all multiplatform games without without downgrading them. I doubt that will happen in the foreseeable future though, especially with Shigeru Miyamoto still working there.

Nintendo embraces online technologies, then smiles and shows them the door. Then talks bad about them behind their back.

@Alucard83 I would agree with you prior to Switch.... a lot of their decisions were completely around kids. If you look at all the advertisements, and full design of Switch, it’s much more geared towards the 20-35 range than kids. The lite is designed for that, true, but that only released Late last year.

The original intent for Switch is a game system for those on the go, busy, and/or don’t like to be locked to a tv. Nintendo themselves will always design games for “everyone”, so that they can maintain the top neutral stance for families. But this time around, they focused a LOT of advertisement on mature 3rd Party games for adults, and most of the top mature games from the past 5 years have appeared on Switch... and what’s more, sold very well.

The Switch is like having a Wii, 3DS, and ”PS4 Lite” all rolled into one. Surprisingly it’s able to do perfect motion like Wii, but Nintendo hasn’t really shown or capitalized on this since Arms. That feels like it was their only true showing of multiplayer motion control games. We need a Switch Sports, and Zelda Twilight/Skyward HD ports.

Hey, Nintendo, stop innovating! Stick to what you know ... playing cards

@dethmart
There is nothing wrong with better hardware.

But that's not what Furukawa is referring to when he is talking about "new technologies."

I'm all for and open to new tech. But embracing new tech doesn't have to mean setting aside popular standards that are already established. Most so than any past console I love the Switch. This hybrid nature, the ability to play on TV or portable is amazing and I really want them to keep this. I consider it the best innovation they have made in the last 30 years. Better than touch screen games, better than dual screens, better than motion controls, better than 3D games, all of that.

It's such a simple and effective idea, having a gaming machine that you can pick up mid-game and just take with you is truly amazing.

If down the road they want to make a new one that has new gimmicks or tech added in, great! But keep this core idea moving forward! Maybe in 10 years VR tech will really be feasible enough and affordable enough to have a Switch portable VR headset! Or maybe there will be some other new gimmick.

But lets keep this idea going! The "homeheld" is perfection!

I wonder if Nintendo is figuring out cool gameplay mechanics for ray-tracing to warrant developing some powerful hardware to utilize it. Touring-based hybrid platform anyone (wishful thinking)?

@Agramonte Pretty sure Labo VR was a case of "the investors won't shut up about going into VR. Fine. We'll do VR. Whatever you can put into a box in the next 24 hours using only what's in this room, we'll ship. Then we can tell them we tried and get back to our actual R&D."

I'm glad they're willing to tinker, but I have to admit before we knew about the joycons still having waggle I was ecstatic to see the switch look like a normal control scheme.

I guess the flipside of their willingness to check out new stuff is they insist on making every effort, well after most would decide it wasn't working out. RIP StarFox Zero.