Nintendo has suggested that the Switch could be its final home console.
In an interview with Nikkei (via Nintendo Everything), Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that “we aren’t really fixated on our consoles”.
“At the moment we’re offering the uniquely developed Nintendo Switch and its software – and that’s what we’re basing how we deliver the ‘Nintendo experience’ on,” he said.
“That being said, technology changes. We’ll continue to think flexibly about how to deliver that experience as time goes on.
“In the long-term, perhaps our focus as a business could shift away from home consoles – flexibility is just as important as ingenuity.”
While an immediate move away from console development seems unlikely, Furukawa suggests that Nintendo will increase its mobile gaming presence.
“I’d like to increase the (amount of) games on smartphones that have a continuous stream of revenue,” he continues.
“We’re also dabbling in theme parks and movies – different ways to have our characters be a part of everyday life. I’m anticipating a strong synergy like that.”
Nintendo’s foray into mobile gaming began with Miitomo, followed by Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing Pocket Life.
The games have generally been considered a success, reportedly pocketing Nintendo $ 348 million in revenue in 2018.
Fire Emblem Heroes is the company’s most successful game so far, although Mario Kart Tour is expected to launch in 2019.
The Fire Emblem mobile spinoff is said to have generated around $ 230 million in revenue throughout 2018.
This takes its total earnings to $ 487 million, which is a truly remarkable figure.
