Nintendo just can’t seem to gain any positive traction these days. It recently announced the launch of its second major mobile game, Super Mario Run, set for a December launch. Unfortunately, gaming’s most beloved and perplexing publisher has backpedaled just a tad as the title won’t launch on the Android platform alongside its iOS counterpart in December. We won’t see Mario on Android until 2017, so let’s take a look at the top five reasons Nintendo may not be ready for the mobile platform after all.
Uncharted Waters
Nintendo’s upcoming launch of Super Mario Run will mark the first time the franchise will be featured on a mobile device. One could make the argument that this is the first time ever Nintendo has released a true game on the platform. Mobile is different – it’s clunky, offers minimal precision, and is by far the most unique gaming platform in existence. Nintendo recognizes this to a certain degree, hence the runner genre, but I don’t think they fully grasp the concept of mobile games just yet.
Rookie Mistakes
Speaking of lacking platform knowledge – I heard an interesting fact on the radio the other day that Nintendo plans to make Super Mario Run a paid app with no in-game monetization feature. In theory, that sounds ideal, but the most successful games on both iOS and Android are free with some form of paid features within. Forcing mobile users to buy Super Mario Run right out of the box is going to instantly eliminate a large number of potential users. Nintendo’s numbers will stagnate and they’ll eventually cut their losses by jumping out of the mobile market all together.
Pokemon Go
I hate to bring up Pokemon Go again, but it’s a perfect centerpiece to my argument. Pokemon Go was fantastic when it launched – the platform was perfect with a rock-solid concept. Unfortunately, it wasn’t sustainable based on the model presented, and ultimately it wasn’t an actual Nintendo product. Nintendo’s stock fell dramatically upon the world hearing that Pokemon Go was in fact done by a third party developer and not Nintendo itself. In my mind, they should have partnered with the developer as any Pokemon game was bound to be a massive success. Nintendo missed a huge opportunity with Go .
Consoles Are the Real Priority
Perhaps to most ironic aspect to this argument is Nintendo’s belief that the mobile marketplace is more of a gimmick rather than a solid platform with an attainable market share. Nintendo’s main focus for Super Mario Run is that it will lead to an increase in future console sales. Yep, Nintendo is once again betting the house with three-of-a-kind when their competitors are holding a straight flush. Just take a look at Shigeru Miyamoto’s most recent interview with Yahoo and you’ll see the proof is certainly in the pudding.
Doctor Mario
Remember the Nintendo Quality of Life product initiative? Yep, that stuff like the heart rate monitor that never actually appeared? Nintendo beat around the bush about this poor decision earlier this year. It’s not the fact they failed to complete the project but rather that they tried to tackle a market that is completely outside of their wheelhouse. Based on Nintendo’s strict history of relying on consoles for profit, mobile essentially becomes their new QoL line. Let’s just hope they have a better plan this time around.
If it’s any consolation, I’m hoping Nintendo proves me wrong and crushes it with Super Mario Run in December. I hope they follow up with Zelda, Star Fox, and a host of other lovable characters. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against our old pals.