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Nintendo has no intention of bringing its games to smartphones or tablets

Nintendo has no intention of bringing its games to smartphones or tablets
Jonathan Riggall

Jonathan Riggall

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The failure of the Wii U has sent industry analysts into a spin, predicting how Nintendo can save itself. The latest rumors came from a credible source, and suggested Nintendo might finally be preparing to launch smartphone apps using its characters. Nintendo has now categorically denied it is planning to offer games on smartphones and tablets.

The massive growth of mobile gaming since the launch of the iPhone in 2007 has been perceived as a challenge to Nintendo (and other console makers). Lots of analysts have claimed Nintendo needs to bring its games to other platforms to stay competitive, but it hasn’t happened, and the success of the 3DS had put those claims to rest for a while.

Recent poor results from Nintendo, whose Wii U console is selling very poorly, have again seen claims that the company needs to go mobile to stop the rot.

Yet again, Nintendo has denied it plans to put Mario on rival platforms, saying its ‘intention is not to make Nintendo software available on smart devices and as such, we can confirm that there are no plans to offer mini-games on smartphone devices.’

This may be a disappointment to iOS and Android gamers, hoping to see Mario, Link or Donkey Kong appearing in app stores soon.

Before jumping to conclusions about ‘failing’ Nintendo, it’s worth remembering this is an old company with lots of cash in reserves. It has weathered storms and disasters before. The Nintendo Gamecube was a sales failure, and many people predicted that Nintendo would stop making hardware, as Sega had done after its Dreamcast suffered a similar fate. But Nintendo returned with the DS, Wii and then 3DS; all huge selling consoles.

It’s too early to say that the Wii U’s failure will convince Nintendo to break the link between its own games and hardware.

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[Source: Engadget]

Jonathan Riggall

Jonathan Riggall

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