Mario lovers may have to contend with the possibility that the game may never make its way to iOS users. Why? It's all because of Apple TV.
Apple TV has potentially killed any shred of hope that Nintendo Games will be available for iOS. Playing Nintendo titles sans the purchase of any specific hardware is a given. However, with the arrival of the Apple TV, things could possibly change i.e. to play the Japanese company's games, iDevice users may need additional hardware support.
Nintendo is quite controlling about managing its software and hardware resources. While the company has been asked to consider the possibility of porting older gamers or developing newer games for newer platforms, Nintendo has been rigid and unmovable.
In 2013, Nintendo's President Satoru Iwata affirmed that if the long-term future of the company was not taken into consideration and only short-term profits were thought of, then it could consider sharing "important franchises" with other platforms.
"However, I'm really responsible for the long-term future of Nintendo as well, so I would never think about providing our precious resources for other platforms at all," noted Iwata at the time.
In January 2015, Iwata admitted that since Japanese companies traditionally have a hierarchical nature, the senior members do not understand modern gaming concepts. Therefore, frequently, several ideas get shot down at the outset only because of a lack of understanding of those in power. Moreover, the company views risk taking to be now rewarding.
These workings of the company would lead one to deduce that Nintendo would be tentative exploring iOS as not only would Apple TV be viewed as a new gaming concept, but also loaded with risk.
Additionally, Nintendo would not be able to exercise control over Apple, which would be yet another stumbling block for those wanting to see classic games such as Excitebike, Contra etc. on iOS.
Porting older titles for iOS could potentially be viewed as a cumbersome and time consuming process by Nintendo, which has not been in favor of releasing its popular title as apps for mobile devices.
Another hurdle for Nintendo games for Apple TV could be the fact that the Cupertino company also likes all applications to support the Apple TV remote. It does not matter if these titles support controllers from third parties. In the event Nintendo makes a controller for Apple TV, it would still have to offer support for the original controller.
With a power play tussle possibly brewing in such a hypothetical context, it seems only probable that Nintendo will take the easy route and not opt for releasing games for iOS.
