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Nintendo claims non-Mario games chosen for mobile launch to broaden appeal of brand

Many Nintendo fans were disappointed when the company chose to launch a new game Miitomo for its first move into mobile, rather than the popular Super Mario series. The company later revealed that it will be bringing existing Nintendo game franchises to iOS later this year, but again, no sign of Mario. Instead, we can expect Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem.

Engadget notes that Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has offered some explanation for the decision.

[The decision was made] from the viewpoint of increasing the diverse types of consumers interested in Nintendo, and widening opportunities for gameplay.” Kimishima specifically noted that “The Animal Crossing series has been played by a wide range of consumers including children and women.”

Those of a more skeptical mindset might doubt the rationale, however. Super Mario was probably played by as many women and children as any other Nintendo game, so it would seem possible that the greater potential for in-app purchases in other games may have played into the company’s decision. It may also be that Nintendo didn’t want to risk a disappointing mobile version of its most iconic game. Or didn’t want to give away every reason to buy Nintendo hardware.

Kimishima gave few clues what we can expect from the new games, beyond saying that they will be “more accessible” and be “great value.”

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Comments

  1. The thing is, that Nintendo wants the mobile-gamers to buy their hardware-products where they can get the full experience of Nintendo games. Won’t work if they gave away the cherry on the cake on smartphones.

  2. Charlie Reese (@eseerc) - 8 years ago

    Nintendo would make a hell of a lot more money if it released its most popular games on iOS, rather than try to peddle a gaming console which NOBODY is buying.

  3. pointum - 8 years ago

    Mario on iPhone would be terrible anyway. Without buttons that would be something like Rayman where you tap to jump and that’s it. No thank you.

  4. Glen Hiett - 8 years ago

    “Nintendo fans were disappointed” – err NO, Nintendo fans are glad as they all buy Nintendo harware so they can play the best Nintendo games in the best way possible. Only people disappointed are freeloaders and cheapskates who would rather get cheap or free games on a smartphone they already own…. they say “why should we pay out £200 on a console just for games”, well you pay out £1000+ on an iphone or SG on contract, I ask you why gamers should have to pay for an Android or IOS smartphone capable of playing a game that is worse than a console version? Even if we don’t have to it still may take away the companies time that would otherwise have been spent making worthwhile games!

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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