NIntendo held a big sales presentation in Japan to address the business world about its home console's less than stellar performance, in addition to other details about the company's future.
Nintendo told investors that they aren't giving up dedicated gaming platforms for iOS and Android development all at once. The company says it needs to offer titles that take full advantage of the Wii U GamePad, though as Alex has reported one of the company's biggest mascots might not fulfill your expectations of what it means to take full advantage of the GamePad technology.
The company wants to start using the GamePad's near-field communication technology, built into the screen-toting controller and capable of, say, putting your favorite Pikachu toy in the game to play with the Wii-mote and Nunchuk.
Further, Nintendo wants to allow the GamePad to start certain applications and games via a GamePad Quick Start menu.
Even better, Nintendo DS games will be added to the Wii U eShop as Virtual Console titles. Those will take advantage of the TV and GamePad screens, meaning every Wii U just got a huge boost of extremely desireable software, depending on how aggressively Nintendo releases DS games.
Nintendo hope that Mario Kart 8's May release will help Wii U as well, with more information coming in Nintendo Directs later.
Nintendo's intiative for iOS, Android, and other smart devices got a lot of attention, notably accented by the company's determination to show further dedication to their own hardware. Details are very sparse, but software developed by Nintendo for mobile devices would take the form of mini-games and demos that would tie players to the consoles they have at home.
The company also says that the establishment of Nintendo Network ID will faciliate these newe avenues of their business. Moreover, Nintendo mentions licensing their intellectual property out on a very limited and careful basis. I hope this doesn't mean a Legend of Zelda movie, unless it's animated by NIntendo's own developers!
We'll bring you more on Nintendo's business outlook, Wii U's future, and 3DS developments as it continues.
