Nintendo’s investors briefing took place this evening. While the news most people are waiting for will have to wait until E3, the meeting revealed some insights about Nintendo’s future including revised financial forecasts, a list of release dates for all of Nintendo’s revealed games for every region, a handful of allusions that may make some American Nintendo fans happy, and news regarding digital downloads. Here is some of the new information gathered from the meeting:
The first point worth highlighting: Only six Nintendo titles were listed in the Top 20 best selling titles for the first three months of 2012 in the United States, whereas fifteen titles were there for Japan.
The second: There will be plenty of news to be heard concerning the WiiU at E3 2012, but unfortunately price and release details will not be announced in June.
When discussing the 3DS, Iwata brought up the success of “evergreen titles” like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and Nintendogs + Cats, stating that these games will continue to sell for quite some time. He also mentioned the importance of “core” titles like Monster Hunter Tri G and Fire Emblem Kakusei.
Alluding to Monster Hunter and Fire Emblem might mean good news for US fans at E3. Iwata seemed proud that Fire Emblem for 3DS was selling extremely well, reaching heights not seen since the old Gameboy Advance titles first came about.
He moved on to mention the Pokemon games coming to the Nintendo DS later this year, as well as the reveal of New Super Mario Bros 2 (3DS) revealed during the Nintendo Direct stream last week. Many know that the game will hit store shelves in August—but this investor’s meeting brought news that this title will be available for digital download to an SD card as well.
Iwata wouldn’t comment on the difference in retail price versus digital download price, but the latter option will be done through retailers, so it shouldn’t be much of a decrease. This announcement does, however, yield potential for rapid growth in sales for the future! This movement towards digital downloads will affect both the 3DS and the WiiU.
In Iwata’s own words: “For our digital business to grow drastically, it is imperative for us to expand the exposure of the digital download products to potential consumers.”
This investor meeting has brought interesting news regarding the “global” importance of a handful of titles and news of digital downloads in the future. Details of the conference can be found here, including a detailed summary of the entire presentation (as a slide show) in English.
What do you all think about Nintendo’s new direction?
