Nintendo to Launch All-New Console and Ecosystem for Emerging Markets

Nintendo Chief Executive Satoru Iwata said on Thursday he plans to introduce a new kind of games console and software for emerging markets as early as next year, rather than launch existing hardware such as its Wii U or 3DS.

Iwata told Reuters in an interview following an analyst briefing that Nintendo would offer new hardware for countries such as China, oriented towards consumers with lower incomes and less gaming experience than those in developed countries.

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A Bloomberg report quotes Iwata to say ""We want to make new things, with new thinking rather than a cheaper version of what we currently have. The product and price balance must be made from scratch."

Nintendo also announced a smartphone companion app for its upcoming Mario Kart 8 title, detailing various statistics about the player's gameplay, as well as video footage of their own and other players. A Web-based version will also be launched for players to check their stats and see videos online. It has been tentatively named Mario Kart TV.

A Nintendo Figurine Platform (NFP) is also going to be launched, with a physical figurine sold to further interact with the game. Nintendo will showcase NFP at E3 2014.

Nintendo released its full-year earnings on Wednesday, booking its third year in the red after disappointing sales of its Wii U home games console. The company had then said it hoped a series of new video games such as "Mario Kart 8" would revive sales and return it to profit.

Nintendo had a torrid 2013 as sales of its Wii U console fell far short of projections due to a paucity of games, while casual gamers were not given enough reason to upgrade from popular predecessor Wii due to the consoles' perceived similarity.

The company hopes to dispel that perception by demonstrating the difference of the Wii U through new games, whilst building on the relative popularity of the 3DS handheld console to end the current business year back in the black.

Written with inputs from Reuters