Nintendo Forms Mobile Partnership With DeNA

March 17, 2015

Nintendo has announced a partnership with Japanese mobile company DeNA to develop new games for mobile devices.

The arrangement between Nintendo and DeNA is designed to allow the best of both companies to shine; Nintendo with its IP and game development skills, and DeNA with its expertise in mobile gaming. While no games were announced, the companies confirmed that titles developed under this partnership will all be original titles using Nintendo Intellectual Property (IP), designed specifically for smartphones. Nintendo will have final approval on all games made as part of this alliance.

“Leveraging the strength of Nintendo’s intellectual property and game development skills in combination with DeNA’s world-class expertise in mobile games, both companies will develop and operate new game apps based on Nintendo’s IP, including its iconic game characters, for smart devices,” said DeNA in a press release, “The alliance is intended to complement Nintendo’s dedicated video game systems business and extend Nintendo’s reach into the vast market of smart device users worldwide.”

In addition to aiding in development of smartphone games, DeNA will also assist in developing the successor to Club Nintendo. It will be launching towards the end of the year and will be accessible on devices outside of Nintendo hardware.

Nintendo President CEO Satoru Iwata also confirmed the company is working on a new platform, currently codenamed NX, which will be detailed in 2016.

This announcement follows previous moves by Nintendo towards mobile gaming. It recently partnered with Japanese mobile developer GungHo to port the popular mobile title Puzzle & Dragons to the 3DS.