Nintendo’s flirted with the idea of bringing its array of beloved gaming characters to the mobile space, but has always been hesitant to embrace mobile gaming as a thing. Perhaps they’ve been worried that it’d dilute the 3DS space? Well they’re now hitting mobile in a big, big way.
In a press conference today, Nintendo and Japanese mobile company DeNA have announced a rather large partnership that’ll see Nintendo’s mascots make their way to mobile games.
They “intend to jointly operate new gaming applications featuring Nintendo IP, which they will develop specifically for smart devices,” Nintendo said in a statement. That means new games made by DeNA using Nintendo characters, and not ports of existing games. It also means we’re unlikely to see that first party magic on mobiles.
Nintendo and DeNA expect to develop a new core system compatible with a variety of devices including PCs, smartphones and tablets as well as Nintendo’s dedicated video game systems, and are to jointly develop a membership service utilizing this system, with a launch targeted for the fall of 2015. The companies expect to further enhance their customer relationships through the membership service.
It’s quite a big deal, and worth a frightening amount of money. Nintendo will as a result of this deal buy 10% of DeNA for US$181 million. That also means that DeNA gets a 1.24% of Nintendo.
Do you think this is a wise move for the Big N? Do you suspect, as I do, that this might end with Nintendo once again having a licence to print money – or is it all too late, and the beginning of the demise of Nintendo’s handhelds – which are the systems of theirs that actually make them money.
Last Updated: March 17, 2015
justlikemo
March 17, 2015 at 10:24
Definitely a good idea, people have their gaming fix, I never went back to console since 2011, the kids have been doing the console thing lately. If nintendo comes to mobile, everyone at home will want to play on my phone or the ipad. Nintendo will make oodles of cash on it.
Ross Woofels Mason
March 17, 2015 at 10:30
I say good move depending entirely on if the games have the same kind of quality we are used to from nintendo. Good mobile games can happen but just an on rails runner as mario isn’t going to cut it.
What excites me more is the mention of pc. I think if nintendo play their cards right this could be a massive boost for them, they just need to avoid going down the typical mobile phone game route.
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 10:34
I don’ believe that a good handheld game will necessarily make a mobile game because of the controls involved so as long as they keep making good games for the DS then don’t see themselves killing the proverbial goose. If they make really good mobile games (like a Pokemon hearthstone mash-up for example) it may even enhance their player base and drive more hardware sales.
justlikemo
March 17, 2015 at 10:38
with whats coming out for phones, why have more than 1 device on you.
justlikemo
March 17, 2015 at 10:39
or the psp option
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 15:15
My opinion in no particular order
1. Size
2. Battery life
3. Undying loyalty to the Pope
4. And you will still need to play on touch screen as that is your biggest base hence the game can’t be as “tight” as if you were only developing for physical controls.
z1n
March 17, 2015 at 17:19
I believe after a while of wearables being around we’ll have gloves that can be inputs for your device. Heck throw VR (or even holographics) into the mix and your phone just needs the oomph and the juice to give you a pretty complete gaming experience.
Chaos Lord Norm
March 17, 2015 at 10:41
Mobile Mario game…. YES!
veggiesaurus ZA
March 17, 2015 at 10:45
I would love an Android version of Pokemon ;(
Chaos Lord Norm
March 17, 2015 at 10:51
Same here, then I’d actually try Pokemon.
MalikaiZA
March 17, 2015 at 12:16
That would be awesome
z1n
March 17, 2015 at 17:15
WHAT? Can’t you just run an emulator?
I’m on that silly fruit company for hipsters and have all the pokemons gen 1-4. And then all the good old classics. Ice climber, bomber boy, golden axe, super mario. Really you can get any old handheld game you could want.
veggiesaurus ZA
March 17, 2015 at 17:17
True, although I’d specifically like and Android version of the 3DS games, since those are the only ones I can’t emulate (yet)
z1n
March 17, 2015 at 17:23
Yeah it’ll come in time. I have a 3DS emu for the laptop but not yet the mobile.
veggiesaurus ZA
March 17, 2015 at 17:31
really? I haven’t found any 3DS emulators for any platform. Any links?
z1n
March 18, 2015 at 09:55
I can’t actually remember what 3DS game I was fiddling with. I definitely got a 2DS game working though, think it was Pkmon Black 2. I got DeSmuME to work with it even though it’s not supposed to. There’s a couple I saw but not sure if/how well they work. I’ll add links here.
http://3dsemulatordownload.net
http://www.ultima3ds.com
http://www.3dsemulatorpro.com
veggiesaurus ZA
March 18, 2015 at 11:07
That’s a DS game (not 2DS or 3DS)… and those links are to spyware 🙁
Gavin Mannion
March 17, 2015 at 11:05
All those words and none of them confirm if I’m going to get a real Kirby game on my iPad
Dailon Huskey
March 17, 2015 at 11:15
I’m sure Kirby will get a game. Hopefully a kid Icarus mobile that would be cool and platform games are big right now. A new kid Icarus a new Kirby a new mArio a new zelda
This would be Huge stuff
Dailon Huskey
March 17, 2015 at 11:13
A pro to this is they said it will be premium games that aren’t riddled with IAP that kids aren’t used to from nintendo so that is a good piece of news. Don’t however expect quality of a new 3ds game im Sure but somewhere between the two. As long as it’s not match 3 mario and endless runner Metroid should be good stuff. Can’t wait to see more on it!
Geoffrey Tim
March 17, 2015 at 11:36
I’d be okay with an endless runner or two. Link’s Rupee Rush?
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 14:57
Rainbow and a pot of gold? Something something Irish? This one has me stumped.
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 15:29
Possible 4 leaf clover next to middle Koopa Trooper?
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 15:30
I’m half blind by now. WHY wont anyone help!
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 15:32
That mortal combat one has me and I can’t find any in Sandy’s headers.
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 15:33
Is there not a clover on Sub-Zeros mask?
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 15:35
I don’t know, I see it but I don’t know.
Weanerdog
March 17, 2015 at 15:36
OK I cheated and googled the image and the original is slightly different so I think that is it.
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 15:56
XD YES!
Hammersteyn
March 17, 2015 at 15:34
They never help poor Sandy