Gamers have long been waiting for the day when they can take out their iOS or Android devices to play Nintendo games while on the subway or during lunch breaks. However, Nintendo stuck to their guns releasing games exclusively for Nintendo-made hardware.
While other hardware and video game manufacturers such as Microsoft and Sony dabbled in mobile smartphone gaming in the past, Nintendo has largely stayed on the sidelines. Mobile gaming is now a worldwide phenomenon and some Android and iOS have seen sales figures rivaling even the best-selling games made exclusively for gaming consoles.
A report recently published by Japanese newspaper Nikkei hints that Nintendo may finally release games for smartphones and tablets. This could be related to the current problems the consumer electronics company is experiencing with their Wii U console. Disappointing Wii U sales cost Nintendo millions of dollars in lost revenues and mobile smartphone gaming may be a profitable opportunity for the veteran gaming company.
"According to The Nikkei, this content will be entirely free, and Nintendo is not planning to offer paid or freemium games on smartphones at the moment," says Dr. Serkan Toto, an analyst living in Japan. Toto was responsible for translating the Nikkei report into English for international readers.
While the company may indeed be considering joining the fray, avid Nintendo fans should take the rumors with a grain of salt since the company may be considering to release short mini games and/or demos for smartphone devices. Rather than full length ports and titles, Nintendo may simply be planning on using smartphones to market their full length games on the 3DS and the Wii U.
Nintendo, however, has denied the Nikkei rumor.
"Nikkei's article contains information previously stated by [CEO Satoru Iwata] during past press conferences, including statements which relate to Nintendo's willingness to make use of smart devices to promote our products," Ninendo said in a statement to Engadget. "However during such past announcements Mr. Iwata has also stated that Nintendo's intention is not to make Nintendo software available on smart devices and as such, we can confirm that there are no plans to offer minigames on smartphone devices. "
