Nintendo planning more consistent 3DS release schedule, eyeing developing countries

Unlike Nintendo DS and Wii before it, the forthcoming 3DS will be getting a more regular release schedule of games, says Nintendo. Company head Satoru Iwata told Nikkei News as much in an interview yesterday (via Andriasang), specifically stating, "It's important that you be able to supply software with no pause ... With the DS and Wii, following the titles that were released at launch, the momentum dropped when there was a gap in software releases." Iwata further added, "We're making plans so that this type of thing won't happen."

Unfortunately, it's not clear whether Mr. Iwata is speaking to first-party or third-party game releases. An impressive list of 3DS titles in development was revealed at last year's E3, though only a handful of titles -- and just one from Nintendo themselves, Nintendogs + Cats -- appeared on the recently announced Japanese launch list.

And the company's going to need plenty of copies of those games, as Nintendo intends on bringing the new handheld console to developing countries in addition to its current territories (North America, Europe, and Japan) at some point in the future. No specific timeframe is given, but Nintendo's CEO sees the rapidly rising economies of developing countries as very important to the future of the game industry. Here's looking at you, Singapore!

Reader Comments (27)

Even though the glasses free 3D feature is cool, what really makes the 3DS shine is the game line-up.

@commenter7
What original games are there for it? I'm not trolling but I don't recall seeing much original content. Just a bunch of ports, rehashes and sequels.

Not a bad way to start off but I'm actually actually curious if there's anything worthwhile that's new.

@Mmmmz
You make a valid point, but I don't think the 3DS will have a hard time attracting original IPs in the long run. My suspicion is that Nintendo and third-party publishers are banking on name recognition for the system's early titles to get the system and games into people's hands, and will then get more bold once the system is out there and they have a chance to experiment with the hardware.

Also, when some of the sequels in question are as highly anticipated as a new Paper Mario and Pilotwings, Mega Man Legends 3, and a Resident Evil that returns the series to survival horror, it's hard to complain.

still crossing fingers for okami den as a 3ds title

@HasteMakesWaste cross your fingers all you want but it won't happen. It's a DS game and released already in Japan and will come out soon. I doubt it will get a sequel on 3ds, the wii and ps2 games didn't sell very well and I sort of doubt it will do well on ds

And Nintendo handheld games continue to look poor in screenshots. I'm not slighting the 3DS, but it sure is interesting.

uhh.... I thought Singapore is already counted as developed countries?

What I think of developing countries are probably South Korea, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc...

@cozmic0
You mean North Korea and I don't even think that counts as a developing country outside of its military and even then much of anything new just comes from China.

@cozmic0
They are developed but not as much as England (reference: Lucy Pinder)

@cozmic0 South Korea!? You're kidding right?

@Jacksons

alright South Korea is actually part of developed countries too.

but everything else is developing :P

@cozmic0

Don't forget TURKEY! Why do people always forget us =( (unless this means we're seen as developed?! *DANCES).

Singapore? Er ok...

Anyway, that's great news. I love that good software is the key feature of the 3DS.

Nintendo is looking at the recent analysis that the US is losing it's status as world supreme. Move over, communism is going to be the ruling flavour of the new world supreme.

This reality means that developing countries are going to be more attractive to the capitalist machine.

There's currently five communist states. Sorry bud, not seeing that happen.

@Nook You voted for Palin didn't you?

@Jacksons

It's not about communism per se, it's about the overtaking of the US economy by the Chinese economy, that's a coming reality. I was only mentioning the type of control grid in place over the public to highlight the fact that just because who holds the cards calls the shots, they have the economic power to sway major points of interest in their favour. That's just the way it is. And in a world were the guy calling the shots is a communist nation, life will differ. I'm not saying at all the world would become a communist controlled planet or anything of the likes.

In the end, this is probably a reason Nintendo is looking to branch into developing countries, because the US market is set to shrink over the next 10 years and the power will shift to the east and when China is already making your products....they aren't going to be a major consumer of them.

What has helped Nintendo over the past 9 years or so is their ability to place a bet and come out well. Imagine tapping an emerging market with cheaper, older technology in a world where the standard de facto system is undergoing revisions as entire societies change spending habits and the such. It's smart forecasting and good business.

Thanks for the laugh though.

@Scott Pilgrim

nnnnnnnno.

It's nice to see Iwata talking about improving the performance of his company and consistency of software output, but am I the only one who fears the implications of these statements of the "we'll release it when it's ready" philosophy that Nintendo has always stood by in the past? I wouldn't want to see them trading quality for quantity as far as software is concerned.

He thinks we don't buy things massively in Chile (developing country)?

lol

If they're targeting developing countries, that says a lot about the price of the 3DS. I'm now optimistic that they won't release it at $300 for us in North America.

In summary:
Nintendo says "We're trying to find a way to make even more money."

Not to say that they're being cheap, but you have to admit they're making bajillions off of us.

Um, guys, I don't think that developing country means what you think it does if this is your plan for solving Nintendo's lack of third party developers.

Yeah, I think it was lame too.

This is what they said about the wii vs. the gamecube.

I don't see how?? They region-locked the thing...developing countries my @$$...all that means is now they can stick it to em even harder on prices.

Whoops.

@ShadowXIII Actually, in theory, region-locking means that they can offer 3DS games at lower prices in developing countries* (such as the US) compared to developed countries (Japan) - without worrying about people from those richer countries all importing the game from Zimbabwe or whatever.

* Well, US is probably where DS games are cheapest...

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally against region-locking (I'd like to see the EU make it illegal, for instance - EU often makes laws about consumer protection! where are you when we need you?!)... and also I very much doubt in reality that they would use it to (say) release games half price in Brazil/China.

The real point of selling stuff in other countries is that emerging economies now have plenty of rich people - who can afford to buy a $300 handheld console for themselves or their kids. Even if only 10% of the population could afford it compared to say 90% in richer countries, that's probably enough for Nintendo to make money.

"region-locking means that they can offer 3DS games at lower prices in developing countries* (such as the US)"

Lulz. We do things for them.

Nintendogs Plus Cats

Nintendo planning more consistent 3DS release schedule, eyeing developing countries

Reader Comments (27)

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 6:44PM commenter7 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:30PM Mmmmz said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:47PM gatotsu911 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 6:52PM HasteMakesWaste said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 10:07PM adv2k169 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:02PM Funkmaster General said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:22PM cozmic0 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:32PM Mmmmz said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:35PM DeadInside said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:42PM Jacksons said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 8:04PM cozmic0 said

Posted: Jan 11th 2011 9:02AM PS1 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:35PM Playace said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:36PM Nook said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:50PM Jacksons said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 8:53PM Scott Pilgrim said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 9:29PM Nook said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 9:30PM Nook said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 7:42PM gatotsu911 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 8:19PM matias said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 8:24PM scy1192 said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 8:56PM EliminatorZigma said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 9:38PM Lucky The Fox said

Posted: Jan 10th 2011 11:01PM JCDoe said

Posted: Jan 11th 2011 12:10PM ShadowXIII said

Posted: Jan 11th 2011 3:00PM xxxsam said

Posted: Jan 11th 2011 8:00PM PS1 said

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