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90 'Nintendo' stories December 2010 - March 2015
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Nintendo has started bringing its titles to iOS with Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Animal Crossing. There is speculation that the company may be working on bringing The Legend of Zelda to iOS as well.

Nintendo was founded in 1889 and originally made playing cards. Now the company is famous for its iconic titles like Mario, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda.

The company’s latest console is the Nintendo Switch, which has received positive reviews. The company is also now more focused on bringing its titles to mobile operating systems like iOS and Android.

9to5Toys Last Call: QNAP 2-Bay NAS $149, Crucial 960GB SSD $293, Bluetooth speakers from $20, more

Avatar for Mar 31 2015 - 9:06 am PT
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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Amazon Gold Box – up to 50% off Hard Drives & Networking: 2-Bay NAS $149, 1TB Wi-Fi HDD $120, more

Crucial M500 960GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive $293 shipped (Reg. $360)

Gold Box: OontZ Angle Bluetooth speaker by Cambridge SoundWorks: $20 Prime shipped (Orig. $80), waterproof: $35 (orig: $130)

MacBook Air 11-inch (Early 2014) 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB: $700 shipped (Orig. $899)

Aukey 3600mAh power bank + free Lightning cable $16 Prime shipped ($26 value), more

Outsource your house chores to Amazon and get a free $20 gift card

Small States Review: TM1985’s Weekend Duffel is the perfect companion for any excursion, $371 giveaway

More new gear from today:

This Limited Edition Batman: Arkham Knight PlayStation 4 is one of the best looking consoles ever, pre-order today

More deals still alive:

Media: Hobbit – Battle of the Five Armies BR/DVD/Digital $13, much more

New products & more:

Play Super Mario 64 in beautiful HD for free in your browser

Neo smartpen N2 instantaneously sends handwritten words and doodles to its iOS/Android app

Opinion: As Nintendo ponders iOS, it’s time for Mac console game emulators to shine

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Mar 27 2015 - 1:07 pm PT
24 Comments

When Nintendo announced last week that it will collaborate with DeNA to release iPhone and iPad games, gamers split into two camps: people intrigued by the promise of brand new Nintendo titles designed for mobile devices, and others — including myself — who expect Nintendo to release shallow mobile minigames, mostly to promote console titles. Nintendo hasn’t actually committed to bringing the Super Mario games people love into the App Store; instead, it’s saying only that its characters will appear in new titles that won’t require complex controls. The implication is that only Nintendo consoles are capable of playing Nintendo’s console games.

I disagree with that. For years, Macs and PCs have been able to run thousands of classic console and arcade games, including Nintendo’s best-known titles, using emulators. These free programs let discontinued, often HDTV-incompatible games play on computers — in many cases, with noticeably better graphics than you remember. Freed from the fuzzy, low-contrast televisions people used to own, classic games can look pixel-sharp on Retina displays, and some emulators actually improve the edges and textures of 3-D objects. Nintendo may not want you to play its prior console games on your favorite Apple device’s screen, but thanks to emulators, it’s possible today. The picture above? That’s Super Mario Galaxy, running on a Retina MacBook Pro…


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Most Nintendo iOS games will be developed in-house, will be different to console games, may include freemium

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Mar 19 2015 - 4:35 am PT
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Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has told TIME magazine that most Nintendo “smart device” games will be developed in-house, rather than by partner DeNA. The company announced on Tuesday that it would finally start making games for smartphones and tablets.

Development of smart device games will be mainly done by Nintendo […] DeNA has extensive know-how in developing the “service” side of things, and will be primarily responsible for the service-oriented operations. We will be able to greatly leverage strengths of each party.

Iwata also confirmed Jeremy’s view that we’re unlikely to see classic Nintendo games like Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda come to iOS and Android devices in their original forms … 
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Opinion: Don’t hold your breath for real Nintendo games on your iPhone or iPad

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Mar 17 2015 - 8:56 am PT
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My feelings for Nintendo are complicated. I’ve loved its games ever since the original Donkey Kong, owned every Nintendo console (including the Virtual Boy), and recommended the Wii U as the best game console for families and kids. But if I was mildly displeased with Nintendo as a company during its haughtiest years — the time when most of its key third-party developers walked away — I’m downright angry with it today. At a press conference in Japan this morning, Nintendo announced its second collaboration with a mobile game publisher in two months, the headline from which was what millions of people have been waiting years to read:

“Nintendo to start making iPhone games, including first-party IP like Mario.”

Sure, the official Nintendo press release actually says “smart devices” including phones and tablets, but iPhones and iPads are a safe bet. The press release also says “gaming applications” rather than games, but a press release from Nintendo’s new mobile partner DeNA confirms that the companies will indeed produce mobile games together. Just think about it: Super Mario World on the iPad! Donkey Kong Country on the iPhone! That’s just what everyone has wanted! But there’s a catch…


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Nintendo to start making iPhone games, including first-party IP like Mario

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Mar 17 2015 - 2:55 am PT
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The jailbreak community has worked to get Mario onto the iPhone for years.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Nintendo has finally decided that it is time to start making mobile games for platforms like the iPhone. The company has confirmed it will begin developing titles for smartphones and other mobile devices (presumably, ‘tablets’) featuring famous franchises like Mario.

Until now, Nintendo has been resistant to share its first-party intellectual property  (‘IP’) outside of its own consoles. Clearly, it was worried that bringing characters like Mario to the iPhone would cannabilize sales of its own hardware like the Nintendo DS.  However, as part of a new partnership with a mobile gaming company, there has clearly been a change of heart by Nintendo executives.


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9to5Toys Last Call: Super Bowl HDTV deals, MacBook Air $250 off, iPad mini 64GB (refurb) $210, more

Avatar for Jan 21 2015 - 9:00 am PT
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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

  • Supersize your Super Bowl with these HDTV deals
  • The Internet Button from Spark lets you physically trigger all your IFTTT recipies
  • Plex is now available on PlayStation 3 and 4 for Pass subscribers
  • Kitchen Tech: The best wine tools and restaurant-class champagne accessories
  • Home: Dyson DC44 cordless stick/hand vac $250 (orig. $400), more

Apple 11.6-inch MacBook Air (mid 2013) 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB: $849 shipped (orig. $1,099)

Apple iPad mini 64GB WiFi (refurb) $210 shipped, 16GB: $150 + $5 shipping

Walmart game sale: Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze $34, Smash Bros. $41, GTA V $42 + PS4 preorders from $41, more

Small States: Paper by FiftyThree pursues the new digital American Dream, multiple giveaways

More new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promos/info:

9to5Toys Last Call: LifeProof iPhone 6 cases 26% off, D-Link iOS WiFi camera $25, new 3DS XL preorders, more

Avatar for Jan 14 2015 - 9:00 am PT
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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the brand new 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

LifeProof frē waterproof iPhone 6 case in multiple colors: $59 shipped (26% off)

Wireless Surveillance Cameras: D-Link $25 shipped (orig. $120), TRENDnet $50 shipped (Reg. $70), more

New Nintendo 3DS XL arrives Feb. 13 for $200-$230, Super Mario Series + Wave 4 Amiibo coming

Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $8, 5 ft: $7 Prime shipped

Small States: Bison Made crafts heirloom quality iPhone 6 wallets and other men’s accessories

More new deals:

More deals still alive:

Software bundles/app deals/more:

New products/ongoing promos/info:

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Nintendo patent hints at official Game Boy emulator for mobile phones

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 28 2014 - 9:04 am PT
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TechCrunch points to a newly published patent filed by Nintendo that shows the company is interested in bringing Game Boy titles to mobile devices through emulation technology. Many emulators exist online to mimic old consoles and allow gamers to play back catalogs of games converted to ROM files on Macs and PCs, and Nintendo could possibly do the same to officially bring titles to mobile devices without much heavy lifting in terms of rewriting the games:
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9to5Toys Last Call: iTunes gift cards 15% off, Apple TV $80, Nintendo 3DS XL (refurb) $100, more

Avatar for Mar 26 2014 - 9:55 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed,Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Save 15% on select iTunes gift cards at Best Buy

Apple TV 3rd gen. 1080p streaming media player $80 shipped (Reg. $99)

Nintendo 3DS XL console (refurb): $100 shipped (Reg. $173+)

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

 

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Unverified: Flappy Bird pulled by Apple after copyright complaint from Nintendo? [Updated: Not true]

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Feb 10 2014 - 3:50 am PT
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Update: Nintendo has sent an email to the WSJ denying that it has made any complaint about the app’s similarity to Super Mario Bros.

Apple’n’Apps,  a relatively unknown site without much of a track record, is suggesting that Flappy Bird may have been pulled by Apple after Nintendo complained about copyright infringement regarding the graphics used in the game. Those pipes do look “Super Mario-esque”. The developer Dong Nguyen had claimed he was withdrawing it voluntarily, and that there were no legal issues. But there’s some gray area there we suppose.

A person familiar with the App Store review process tells Apple’N’Apps that Flappy Bird wasn’t removed voluntarily by Mr. Nguyen, as he claims. It turns out that Nintendo got in touch with Apple regarding the art assets in Flappy Bird claiming that they’re in direct violation of their copyrights. Apple contacted Mr. Nguyen regarding the copyright claim, and that’s why we saw the new updated version with graphic changes to the pipes [as well as fewer ads]. Nintendo already decided that they had seen enough, and Apple is the one who pushed Mr. Nguyen to remove Flappy Bird (with 24 hour notice).

We’ve asked Apple for a comment, and will update if we receive a response, though the version arguably makes more sense than a developer voluntarily forsaking around $50,000 a day in revenue due to the attention the game was receiving. Dong Nguyen’s two other games remain on the App Store, currently ranking #4 and #18.

Apple is know to err on the side of caution where copyright complaints are concerned.

The app has also been pulled from Google Play, which tells us nothing either way: if the claim is true then Nintendo would have approached Google also, but equally the developer would have voluntarily removed from both stores.
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‘MyStache’ iOS app sneaks past App Store reviewers with hidden Nintendo emulators

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2013 - 9:41 am PT
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Update: Apple appears to have removed the app from the App Store.

A new iOS app called “MyStache” has made its way past Apple’s App Store reviewers with hidden emulator functionality for Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy. The iPhone & iPad app is disguised as an “augmented reality Mustache app,” but loading up ROMs through iTunes file sharing reveals a small red button that will launch the built-in, hidden emulators.

The emulators work on both iPhone & iPad, and offer game saves, a full-screen mode, and landscape support.

This isn’t the first time that game emulator has made its way past Apple’s App Store reviewers. Developers have been hiding emulators in everything from ordinary looking puzzle games to baby name apps, and Apple is usually on top of pulling the emulators which allow users to load up ROM files for old console games. There had even been some solutions that bypassed the App Store allowing users to download emulators directly from their browser on to their iOS devices, but most of those apps seem to be no longer functioning.

We’d expect Apple to pull the new MyStache app shortly, but for now it’s still available on the App Store for $1.99.

Nielsen: Your kid wants an iOS device for Christmas, don’t mess it up

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 20 2012 - 10:56 am PT
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Nielsen is out today with the results of a new study to gauge interest in buying mobile devices and gaming consoles leading into the holidays in the United States. Much like last year, Apple’s iOS devices remain among the highest ranking with kids ages 6 to 12, while the iPhone and iPad also get top spots in the 13+ category.

As you can see from Nielsen’s charts above and below, the full-sized, 9.7-inch iPad gets the top spot in both categories with 48 percent in the 6 to 12 age group (up from 44 percent last year) and 21 percent in the 13+ group. As for the iPad mini, it was less desirable among kids, coming in at 36 percent for kids ages 6 to 12, just behind the Nintendo Wii U and iPod touch in second and third positions.

Approximately half the children surveyed expressed interest in the full-sized iPad (up from 44% last year), and 36 percent in the new iPad Mini. The iPod Touch and iPhone are also coveted devices among these young consumers (36% and 33%, respectively).  Kids are also likely to ask for dedicated gaming hardware this holiday, with 39 percent excited to own Nintendo’s just-released console offering, Wii U, and 29 percent indicating they want a device from that company’s portable DS family.

While game consoles dominated the top spots when Apple devices didn’t, the 13+ age group showed interest in non-iPad tablets with 18 percent of the group interested in buying over the next 6 months. Mobile devices from Microsoft, Amazon, and Samsung didn’t do as well, coming in at under 20 percent for both groups and 6 percent and under for the Surface:
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Japan-only Pokédex by Nintendo, WhatsApp Messenger, Walgreens, Kingdom Rush HD, and price drops

Avatar for Élyse Betters Nov 16 2012 - 9:14 am PT
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[slideshow]

9to5Mac once again gathered the most noteworthy apps that announced news, launched, updated, or went on sale recently and added them in our usual roundup below.

Today’s selection includes a new Japan-only app by Nintendo, updates to popular games like Kingdom Rush HD, and notable iOS and Mac app price drops including big cuts by TomTom for its popular line of GPS apps. Keep checking back for more, though, as we continually update this list throughout the day.

New

1. Pokédex | 170 Yen (about $2.06 USD)

Japan-based Nintendo just released its first paid iOS app, called “Pokédex“, in its home country. According to EuroGamer, a version of the existing 3DS Pokédex app is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPhone in Japan’s App Store. The Pokédex app is initially Japan-only, but it comes with the full Pokémon encyclopedia, and users could purchase four additional monster packs for about $6.18 USD each. The paid app is not Nintendo’s sole iOS app, however, as the game developer also released a Japan-only free app, called “Pokémon Say Tap“, for a limited time last year.

Check out more below.


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‘8-Bitty’ Nintendo-style iCade controller for iOS devices, coming soon for $25

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Feb 13 2012 - 11:41 am PT
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ThinkGeek gave us a glimpse at an upcoming iCADE controller mimicking the classic Nintendo controller layout and decorated with a retro 8-bit themed graphics. The “8-Bitty” is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, connects over Bluetooth (two AAA batteries required), and is compatible with all iCADE supported games, including the Atari Classics collection. Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait until later this year when ThinkGeek starts selling them for $25. You can sign up now to be notified by email when it does become available.

You will also want to keep your eyes out for three new iCade models we recently told you about during CES 2012. One of which is the iCade Mobile ($79.99) that is iPhone and iPod touch compatible, and it allows you to dock your device for a PSP-like handheld experience. That model and updated iPad arcade cabinets are expected to launch in the coming months.


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Flurry: iOS + Android destroy Nintendo + Sony in U.S. portable gaming revenues

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 9 2011 - 11:06 am PT
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Nintendo president Satoru Iwata declared Apple and iOS as the “enemy of the future” back in 2010. Not only was he right, according to new estimates for the U.S. portable game software by revenue from Flurry Analytics, 2011 seen Nintendo’s grip on the market slide even further as iOS and Android games triple their marketshare from 20% in 2009 to 60% during 2011.

The graphic above shows U.S. revenue for Flurry’s portable gaming category- a category that now includes Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, iOS, and Android. As you can see, iOS and Android have together taken the lead from Nintendo with 58% of revenues in comparison to last year’s 34%. In comparison, Nintendo DS held 57% during 2010, while dropping to just 36% in 2011. Total US revenue jumped from $2.7 billion in 2009 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

When comparing combined game revenues of the two veterans– Sony and Nintendo– with the combined revenues of the two new guys– Apple and Google– 2011 will be the first year where the emerging platforms dominate with iOS and Android estimated to take in $1.9 billion in comparison to the DS and PSP’s $1.4 billion. That accounts for a $200 million drop for Sony and Nintendo and $1.1 billion increase for iOS and Android from 2010. Perhaps investors were right to urge Nintendo to begin developing iOS titles.

As for Nintendo, the company who captured approximately two-thirds of the market in 2009 has seen their “enemy of the future” demote them to just a third of the market. Sony clearly has some catching up to do, but is hard at work on highly anticipated new handheld devices for 2012.

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PlayStation Vita: Low battery life, expensive memory

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Sep 15 2011 - 9:19 am PT
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Sony seems to be hampering its PlayStation Vita console right out of the gate according to a report today from Ars. What may have seemed like OK battery life before Apple’s iOS devices came on the scene, now seems downright paltry. Compare the iPad’s 10+ hours of usage to the Vita’s claimed stats, with the screen at the default brightness, Bluetooth turned off, and headphones used for audio:

  • Game: Approx. 3-5 hours
  • Video: Approx. 5 hours
  • Music (in stand-by mode): Approx. 9 hours

Even the diminutive and probably better-compared iPod touch (released a year ago) pretty much destroys that with 40 hours of music playback and 7 hours of video (right).

As for memory, the Vita has none built-in like iOS devices. But Sony (just being Sony) will offer a proprietary memory card format, instead of say just using SD or speedy SDXC cards that are about a buck a Gig. Prices?

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Investors urge Nintendo to develop games for iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 11 2011 - 10:35 am PT
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Will Nintendo begin to produce titles for iOS devices? It’s a possibility if they take the advice of Tokyo-based Stats Investment Management Co, “Nintendo should try to either buy its way into this platform (smartphones) or develop something totally new.”

Bloomberg reports:

 “The rift highlights the dilemma President Satoru Iwata faces as consumers shun Nintendo devices to play games on iPhones, iPads and Facebook Inc.’s website. The flop of the 3DS debut prompted the company to cut prices 40 percent in Japan and 32 percent in the U.S., the first time the games developer has resorted to such a move within six months of a product’s debut.”

Historically Nintendo has made their stance clear on developing for platforms other than their own. President Satoru Iwata even went as far as saying the company would never develop for other platforms as long as he’s in charge. While their new 3DS handheld hasn’t received a great reception, investments Nintendo has made recently in the 3DS (competitor to Sony’s  Vita) portable device and Wii U makes it unlikely they will divert their attention to developing games for Apple devices anytime soon. This is especially true when talking about hallmark franchises like Mario and Donkey Kong. To provide these titles to iOS users would kill any incentive the company has to offer potential 3DS and Wii U customers.

That being said, the market opportunity is huge (just look how well Nintendo emulators do on jailbroken devices).  If the game-maker continues to lay eggs with its portable products, it might be forced to join up with Apple, or build a 3DS Android phone like Sony did with its Xperia Play.

At the very least Nintendo should build a generation-behind Emulator App like Atari’s Greatest hits.

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Coleco makes a comeback on iOS

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Dec 20 2010 - 9:12 pm PT
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That’s right, Coleco the gaming powerhouse of my youth is back, (mostly in name) with a game for kids called 3 little pigs Pop-up adventure ($4.99, screenshots below).  My kid is testing it as soon as he wakes up tomorrow morning

In this initial book, we’ve created a new 3D engine/platform that we believe raises the bar for children’s interactivity when it comes to story books on this platform.

But can we get back to the old Coleco part of it?

Mitch Schussler, CIO of Coleco Entertainment Corporation wrote in to tell us about how they were getting the band back together and…

we’re getting close to releasing some of the classic remakes as well as a full product line to be introduced in the second quarter of next year.

I can’t even wait.  Mitch, you know where to send the redeem codes.
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