Nintendo has ensured they stay in the news cycle over the past month with the reveal of the Switch 2. The internet has been abuzz, analyzing the reveal trailer to figure out the unknown details. However, the studio dropped another piece of news in the latest earnings call. For the past decade and a half, the Japanese studio has been making a push to increase its mobile games footprint. Many people play app games on their smartphones on breaks or while waiting in line. Nintendo knows this and has doubled down on its commitment to the platform.
Nintendo To Continue Pushing Mobile Games
Fans listened in to the latest earnings call to try and find nuggets of information on the next-gen console. However, president Shuntaro Furukawa also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to reaching all types of gamers. During the call, he had this to say about their plans.
“Although we cannot provide details on future application releases, we are continuing to develop new game applications.”
“Given this environment, we have considered various ways to utilize smart devices […] going forward, even as we transition to Nintendo Switch 2, it remains important to increase touchpoints beyond videogames.”
At the end of September, apps released by Nintendo surpassed 900 million downloads. Pokemon Go has been a cash cow for the company, but it goes beyond that one app. The combination of Pikmin Bloom, Fire Emblem Heroes, Mario Kart Tour, and Super Mario Run has built a loyal player base. Lesser-known apps like Nintendo Music have found a following of fans who love the library of songs the company has to offer. They have already done so much and it makes sense they are continuing that commitment.
Diversifying The Portfolio
This is a smart move by the company. According to an April 2024 study by CivicScience, 65% of adults report they play mobile games. 45% of those say they are playing once a week. That is a massive customer base. Many mobile games give people the advantage of playing in short sessions here and there. Not everyone has hours to spend on an open-world Legend of Zelda game. Everyone does have 15 minutes of downtime per day to play a quick game.
This is a company that makes sure it diversifies its portfolio. While console gaming isn’t going anywhere, tapping into every available market is a smart business move. Furukawa didn’t offer any specifics on what was coming on mobile devices. They will continue tapping into their iconic characters to draw fans to the apps. While many will wait for the Switch 2 news, the commitment to the mobile platforms could be what pushes the company to new heights.
