Last week, Nintendo announced a partnership with mobile game developer DeNA to create original games for smartphones and mobile devices. Don't expect to play ports of classics like Super Mario World or Donkey Kong Country on your new iPhone 6, though; Nintendo pledged to make original games based on its established franchises instead. So while you won't find official versions of Super Mario Bros. 3 or Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on iTunes, you will still see games starring Mario, Link and Zelda.
Nintendo/DeNA's games will likely be free-to-play and microtransaction-heavy, but let's ignore those drawbacks for now and focus on the established series that you can bet we'll see mobile smart devices in the near future.
1. Pikmin
Nintendo's gardening/spaceship repair simulator would be a perfect fit for tablets. Just use your finger or stylus to lasso the vegetable-like Pikmin into groups and tap to point them where they need to go. Past games have had a time element to them; hopefully Nintendo won't take advantage of that with a Candy Crush-like energy meter - ugh.
2. Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: Awakening revived the classic turn-based RPG series on 3DS with new dating sim elements and a simplified battle system. Nintendo could easily make a smartphone-exclusive sequel or spin-off controllable with simple taps and swipes. This might be too much for free-to-play, but hopefully wireless multiplayer could let players test their squads against each other. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. and Advance Wars would also lend themselves easily to mobile devices.
3. WarioWare
Before there was Fruit Ninja, Flappy Bird, Angry Birds or Whatever Bird, there was WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$ for Game Boy Advance. That game practically ushered in the era of quick, satisfying time-wasters we play on smartphones today - that dollar sign in the title turned out to be awfully prophetic - so an iOS or Android version would be a no-brainer.
4. Mario & Luigi
This would require some effort on Nintendo's part, but a new entry in the Mario & Luigi series would make for one of the few must-play RPGs available on smart devices. The trademark witty writing and addictive gameplay would have to make the cut, but it should be an easy transfer to touch-capable tablets and phones.
5. New Super Mario Bros.
This one could be tricky. 2D platformers are difficult to control without buttons, but if Nintendo makes it in the style of an endless runner, where Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess move automatically and you only need to tap to jump, then it could work out nicely.
6. Kirby Canvas Curse
Another no-brainer. The original Kirby Canvas Curse made the appeal of the stylus and touch controls of Nintendo DS obvious. Now, you can do the same on smartphone, but instead you can just draw rainbow lines for Kirby to ride with your fingertip.
7. Legend of Zelda
You probably won't see full-fledged adventures akin to The Wind Waker or Ocarina of Time on smart devices anytime soon. Instead, Nintendo will choose the spin-off route with something like Link's Crossbow Training or, just maybe, Link's Pot Smasher. Imagine: break into as many villagers' homes and smash as many pots as you can within the time limit. It would be like the ultrasatisfying digital version of popping bubble wrap.
8. Animal Crossing
This is usually Nintendo's golden ticket on portable systems. Animal Crossing appeals to everybody, so a mobile version could potentially break download records. Unfortunately, with its emphasis on buying clothes, furniture, and other tchotchkes for your virtual house this could be mired in microtransaction malarkey.
9. Mario Party
This is a dangerous one to consider. Mario Party ruins friendships, relationships and entire lives. But it would be perfect to play either huddled around one tablet or with separate devices linked through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It could work gloriously, or it could result in iPhones lodged in walls.
Bonus: Nintendogs. Virtual pets may have fallen out of vogue, but there will always be players out there with the need to nurture a canine (or cat) through touch-petting, touch-feeding and touch-catch.
