Nintendo games on iOS?

Nintendo Is “Experimenting” With Bringing Games To IOS

Nintendo has been finding themselves between a rock and a hard place in recent years when it comes to handheld gaming versus mobile gaming, as is Sony with their PS Vita.

While the DS, 2DS and 3DS are great devices and are enjoying great sales, it could always be better. Smartphones and tablets have been taking potential profits away from their portable consoles little by little over the past few years.

The belief by many is simple, who wants to carry an additional device dedicated to gaming when our phones have everything we need already? Well I guess it really depends on the type of consumer/gamer you are and where you are going. If it’s a quick commute, maybe a quick round of Angry Birds, Candy Crush or my favorite Nimble Quest is enough but most gamers do not consider these types of games as true deep playing games along the lines of, lets say a Zelda or Mario Kart for 3DS on the go are.

To remedy (somewhat) this problem, Nintendo is looking at various experimental ways they can add their brand on mobile devices but, and here is the tricky part..not take sales away from their own devices. A catch 22.

In a recent interview, Reginald “Reggie” Fils-Aime, president/chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, suggested a shift in Nintendo’s current strategy. Fils-Aime explained that while the ultimate goal will be to draw gamers to Nintendo hardware, the company is aware of the need for expansion. “We recognize that there are a lot of smartphones and tablets out there, and so what we’re doing is we’re being very smart in how we use these devices as marketing tools for our content.” He went on to say, “We’re also doing a lot of experimentation of what I would call the little experiences you can have on your smartphone and tablet that will drive you back to your Nintendo hardware.”

Fils-Aime was also quick to point out “We believe our games are best played and best enjoyed on our devices,” so it’s unlikely that Donkey Kong 3D and Mario Kart 8 will be available in full mode on a future iOS.

Many consumers and analysts are suggesting that Nintendo get out all together from the console market and focus on the great games they make just as Sega has done. But as John Brownlee a writer for Cult of Mac suggests and I tend to agree:

“Many people will wonder why Nintendo doesn’t just give-up, and just start releasing games for iOS, but that’s too cynical. Nintendo is, in many ways, Japan’s Apple, tightly integrating hardware and software to create a magical experience. Telling them to just give up on hardware is like telling Apple to start licensing iOS to competitors and stop making iPhones. But Nintendo does need to be smarter about what a gaming console even looks like in a world saturated with smartphones, and it looks like they have finally started.”

Nintendo of America begins selling refurb 3DS and DSi hardware

The American arm of Nintendo has introduced a new way for consumers to get their hands on a cut-price 3DS.

The NoA site has begun selling refurbished 3DS consoles. Prices start at $119.99 for a standard 3DS and $169.99 for the 3DS XL.

Refurbed DSi’s are available for $99.99.

“Some Nintendo Products are now available as Authentic Nintendo Refurbished Products only from Nintendo,” the official blurb reads. “These products have been cleaned, tested, and inspected to meet Nintendo’s high standards. They come with our standard one-year warranty – the same as brand new products.

“Although Authentic Nintendo Refurbished Products may have minor cosmetic blemishes, they are guaranteed to be fully functional. We think you will find the standards for Authentic Nintendo Refurbished Products are VERY high.

 

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3DS sales near 6 million in US

Nintendo of America updates domestic installed base for 3D handheld

Between the 3DS and the 3DS XL, Nintendo has sold nearly 6 million handhelds in the United States since the system’s March 2011 debut. The company revealed the updated figure in an announcement for a new Super Mario 3D Land 3DS hardware bundle set to hit store shelves this Friday.

While the company didn’t give updated information on the rest of the world, it did release figures through September 30 in its last quarterly financial report. Worldwide, Nintendo has sold 22.19 million 3DS systems (2.1 million of which were 3DS XL models). Japan has accounted for 7.94 million 3DS systems, the Americas have combined for 7.38 million, and the rest of the world was credited with buying the remaining 6.88 million.

Nintendo also expects 3DS sales to accelerate significantly through the holidays. The company is forecasting sales of 17.5 million 3DS systems for the fiscal year ending March 30, 2013. By the end of its fiscal first half, it had sold 5.06 million units, less than one third of that forecast.

 

Nintendo explains Wii U’s online features in a new video

Nintendo’s new 15 minute video goes in depth with some of Wii U’s online features, including Miiverse and Nintendo Network.

If you’re still unsure about some of Wii U’s many features, Nintendo has released a 15-minute video walkthrough with Nintendo of America’s Bill Trinen, who explains features such as Miiverse, the Nintendo Network, the new web browser, and Wii U hardware in general. We’re sure you know most of this, but it’s still interesting to see a complete breakdown of the features from Nintendo themselves.

Source: wiiudaily