Mario Kart 8 Released Mid-Year, Wii U Gamepad Taking Forefront of Console Strategy, Nintendo Developing App For Tablets/Smartphones
Earlier this week Nintendo hosted a meeting to flesh out the company’s strategy for 2014 and into 2015. Amid the discussions, one of their primary titles for the year, Mario Kart 8, was announced as looking for a May release.
Nintendo have said that this is not a “one-off boost in momentum” but the beginning of something bigger. While they are being a bit coy as far as details are concerned, it does mean that gamers will likely have to wait until November for Super Smash Bros. Given Nintendo’s pattern of releasing a major franchise instalment in the year’s penultimate month (Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword).
A price reduction for the Wii U is something that Nintendo has ruled out. Instead, the direction they are taking with the console is to emphasise the gamepad. With many people still thinking that the gamepad is just an accessory for the original Wii, Nintendo are hoping to make it a more prominent feature of upcoming games. Not the least of which being a quick start menu to help compensate for long loading times on the Wii U menu.
Plans for the future look promising but it is difficult to make a judgement without more details. A “non-wearable” health accessory is in the pipeline along with attempts to use smartphones to bring more customers to Nintendo systems. More details are expected later in the year so until then we will have to sit tight and trust that Nintendo know what they are doing.
The home console market has seen Nintendo in some rough times with the Wii U and it looks to be taking its toll. Only time will tell but with these new innovations and two powerhouse titles expected this year in Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. Nintendo may well yet be a force to be reckoned with.
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