More modern look coming this fall.
Nintendo Unveils New Web-Based Service for Smartphones
As a part of its latest financial results briefing (via Engadget), Nintendo has unveiled a new web-based service optimized for smartphones to coincide with the upcoming release of Mario Kart 8. The web app will allow all users to view gameplay videos and other information, while those with a Nintendo Network ID will be able to upload videos, establish their rankings, and see friend activity over time.
Nintendo has faced heavy competition from mobile platforms in recent years, with App Annie and IDC finding that consumer spending on games for iOS and Android rose to 4x that of dedicated gaming handhelds.
Nintendo's investors have also called on the company to develop titles for iOS and other platforms, while others have suggested that Nintendo should "buy its way" into the smartphone market by either acquiring technology or developing their own. While this newest web service may not be a large initial showing, it may also indicate that Nintendo is testing the waters ahead of more full-fledged efforts in the future.
This is the layout for a smartphone. This web service will enable more people to easily watch Nintendo’s official videos, view rankings, watch videos that their friends have shared and videos of tournaments in which they have participated.The reveal of the new service comes four months after Nintendo president Satoru Iwata acknowledged that the company would consider "a new business structure" that involves smart devices after a third consecutive annual loss. Shortly after Iwata's comments, Japanese business newspaper Nikkei reported that Nintendo's mobile push would focus on marketing demos and not full games, with those claims later denied by Nintendo.
This “Mario Kart TV” (temp.) web service is available even for players without NNIDs, but by logging into the service with an NNID, they will be able to easily find their rankings, videos that their friends have shared, videos of tournaments in which they have participated, and it will be convenient to access this service through smart devices even when they are not at home.
Nintendo has faced heavy competition from mobile platforms in recent years, with App Annie and IDC finding that consumer spending on games for iOS and Android rose to 4x that of dedicated gaming handhelds.
Nintendo's investors have also called on the company to develop titles for iOS and other platforms, while others have suggested that Nintendo should "buy its way" into the smartphone market by either acquiring technology or developing their own. While this newest web service may not be a large initial showing, it may also indicate that Nintendo is testing the waters ahead of more full-fledged efforts in the future.
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12 weeks ago
Dear Nintendo,
Put the NES games on the ipad. Charge $20 per game and save your company.
Till then, shut up.
Put the NES games on the ipad. Charge $20 per game and save your company.
Till then, shut up.
12 weeks ago
Wait, Nintendo has discovered the internet exists?! Well, it's a step forward.
12 weeks ago
Wait, Nintendo has discovered the internet exists?! Well, it's a step forward.
Lol right? Also it was pretty smart of them to make a 1080p system in 2012. Perhaps this HD craze is more than just a passing fad. :rolleyes:
12 weeks ago
Oh wow, talk about too little too late.
Watching nintendo self destruct is quite sad.
Watching nintendo self destruct is quite sad.
12 weeks ago
This has been said many times before: If they made their games available on iOS, they would make a killing. Period.
12 weeks ago
How is this a thing? It isn't even a game of any kind. Basically a YouTube for MarioKart 8 videos?
Agree with the sentiments here about releasing emulators for legacy software on the platform. Make each emulator $9.99 and each game $0.99. Of course you have to limit it to your own Nintendo franchise games at first, but think about it.
Nintendo Entertainment System for iOS/Android
Super Nintendo for iOS/Android
Nintendo 64 for iOS/Android
Gameboy for iOS/Android
Gameboy Color for iOS/Android
Gameboy Advance for iOS/Android
I would buy each one of these for $9.99 and buy at least three games for each as well, so add $2.97 to each system as well. I am sure there are 10's of millions globally who do the same. Could probably make over $1 billion by doing that alone.
Releasing a classic Super Nintendo MFi controller at the same time would be a great move as well.
None of this would have any impact on their current hardware at all, in fact it would probably serve to not only make them a bunch of money from legacy products they otherwise are making nothing from. but it would put Nintendo as a brand back into the hearts and minds of millions and millions of mainstream pocketbooks again and remind them that the company still exists in the Western world. Could easily drive awareness and sales of their current and upcoming hardware.
Seems ridiculous that they don't do this in some way shape or form. You want people to get excited about MarioKart 8? Give them the original and N64 versions on their smartphone!
Agree with the sentiments here about releasing emulators for legacy software on the platform. Make each emulator $9.99 and each game $0.99. Of course you have to limit it to your own Nintendo franchise games at first, but think about it.
Nintendo Entertainment System for iOS/Android
Super Nintendo for iOS/Android
Nintendo 64 for iOS/Android
Gameboy for iOS/Android
Gameboy Color for iOS/Android
Gameboy Advance for iOS/Android
I would buy each one of these for $9.99 and buy at least three games for each as well, so add $2.97 to each system as well. I am sure there are 10's of millions globally who do the same. Could probably make over $1 billion by doing that alone.
Releasing a classic Super Nintendo MFi controller at the same time would be a great move as well.
None of this would have any impact on their current hardware at all, in fact it would probably serve to not only make them a bunch of money from legacy products they otherwise are making nothing from. but it would put Nintendo as a brand back into the hearts and minds of millions and millions of mainstream pocketbooks again and remind them that the company still exists in the Western world. Could easily drive awareness and sales of their current and upcoming hardware.
Seems ridiculous that they don't do this in some way shape or form. You want people to get excited about MarioKart 8? Give them the original and N64 versions on their smartphone!
12 weeks ago
Did anyone read the article? Did I miss something? This isn't playable games.
The web app will allow all users to view gameplay videos and other information, while those with a Nintendo Network ID will be able to upload videos, establish their rankings, and see friend activity over time.
Nintendo was already dead a few years ago. They just don't know it yet.
- No, that was "Super" Nintendo. They couldn't find any more power-ups so the next blow is fatal...
12 weeks ago
Man I wish apple had the balls to buy Nintendo, make the whole platform of games available on appletv. I think that would be a wise move .
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