Why Nintendo going mobile is the big news of 2015

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
In 2015, Nintendo initiated a strategic pivot away from its historically closed-ecosystem model by partnering with DeNA to enter the mobile gaming market.
02
The partnership with DeNA is designed to leverage external expertise in mobile monetization and infrastructure to support Nintendo's transition to mobile platforms.
03
Nintendo is prioritizing the stability of its network infrastructure and digital systems, such as Miiverse, before releasing flagship intellectual properties like Mario on mobile.
04
This shift acknowledges that mobile platforms have become the primary drivers of industry revenue and creative innovation, forcing a move away from proprietary hardware-only development.
05
Nintendo’s move reflects a broader industry trend, mirrored by publishers like Konami, toward adopting more flexible, outward-facing business models to ensure future growth.
06
The transition marks a fundamental change in Nintendo's corporate strategy, moving from internal-only development to a model focused on broader global audience engagement.

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Transcript

um hey Slater i am the reviews editor of pocket gamer co uk and my event of the years when nintendo moving into mobile i think it's a it's a really interesting move from one of well basically one of the biggest though some standard normal getting ping publishers almost and students earning it with that with DNA it's i think a lot of people worried about what's going to come out of it but if you're gonna go with anyone to get into my bro and actually make money out of it than DNA's probably one of the best choices and go for we've seen two of the first announcements so far with with the sort of slightly weird miiverse chat thing and i forgot the name of but um I think as a move that's really interesting because one of the things you wouldn't want to do as a Nintendo will be released your first game like I know I'm Mario auto runner and have it not work with the network that you've built up so having this leave us chat

thing first test out that sort of infrastructure is it is a really smart move and I think moving forwards Nintendo kind of has to branch out in this way because Nintendo has always been a very closed closed off system it's been it's very difficult to develop indie games for it's very difficult to do to sort of create games for nintendo and nintendo was always only ever created stuff in inside of it in that sense for its own console so to see to see even nintendo admitting the actually mobile kind of is the way forward and we've seen you know various other publishers like Kaname and and another one that's about the name off again and i think it kind of proves that mobiles where where them not just where the money is but kind of wedding innovation is as well and i'm really excited to see what nintendo come out with in next year

Summary

Nintendo’s 2015 strategic pivot toward mobile gaming represents a fundamental shift for one of the industry’s most historically insular publishers. By partnering with DeNA, the company is transitioning away from a strictly closed-ecosystem model that previously restricted development to its own proprietary hardware. This move acknowledges that mobile platforms have become the primary hubs for both industry revenue and creative innovation, forcing a long-standing console giant to adapt to broader market realities.

The partnership with DeNA is viewed as a calculated and pragmatic choice, providing the necessary expertise to navigate the complexities of mobile monetization and infrastructure. Rather than rushing high-profile intellectual properties like Mario into the mobile space, the company is prioritizing the stability of its network infrastructure. By testing systems like the Miiverse chat integration first, the organization is ensuring that its digital ecosystem can support the high traffic and connectivity demands of mobile users before launching its flagship gaming experiences.

This expansion signals a broader trend among traditional publishers, such as Konami, who are increasingly recognizing that mobile platforms are essential for future growth. By opening its doors to mobile development, the company is moving toward a more flexible, outward-facing business model. This evolution is expected to foster greater innovation and accessibility, marking a significant departure from the company’s legacy of internal-only development and signaling a new era of engagement with the global gaming audience.