Source: gamesindustry.biz UPDATE: Fake. http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/28/5353738/nintendo-no-plans-for-smartphone-games
It's been said for a while now. They've talked about doing "demos" that should act as ads for their main consoles since november/december 2013. We'll find out more about these plans on thursday I guess.
An app to watch videos of Nintendo games? A free demo that acts like an ad for their WiiU and 3DS games? That didn't lift any excitement for me. Seems like a very lame, 'oldfashioned' way to market their stuff. It's really easy for Nintendo. I'm not saying to make a full-fledge Mario or Zelda game on iOS, because that would take a lot of effort and would most definitely damage their hardware sales. Instead, why doesn't Nintendo release their "Virtual Console" emulator on iOS? It would add an INSANE amount of sales, it would stop a lot of illegal ROM downloads, and it won't hurt Wii U or 3DS sales because no one buys their consoles only to play SNES and GBA games, plus it would enhance their brand image. It shouldn't have trouble getting approved on the App Store, since it'll be official from Nintendo and all games can be sold through IAPs, just like Atari's Greatest Hits and Namco Arcade. Nintendo, you have a chance of a lifetime to make things RIGHT.
Sounds like you will get one dungeon to play in Zelda or one level of Super Mario World. This may have an opposite effect and just frustrate iOS gamers even more when they see it can work on a touch screen.
I would probably stay away from the demos, as much as I love Nintendo. It'd be frustrating as hell falling in love with a game, only to be #blocked by the inability to move forward. It'd be highly frustrating. I can't bring myself to pay $50+ for a game again, after having the luxury of $1 games for all these years. I still have my DS and occasionally play.. I think the only way I'd consider 3DS is if the lowered the price of the games in their online store, so it competes with mobile gaming prices.
Many apps for YouTube are available on smartphones right now if any would be customers are looking for demo gameplay of Nintendo games. Solid work Nintendo.
