Miyamoto Downplays Mobile as Primary Platform for Future Mario Games

In a recent interview, Shigeru Miyamoto, the renowned creator of Mario, expressed his doubts about mobile devices playing a central role in the future of the franchise. Despite the success of mobile games like Super Mario Run, Mario Kart Tour, and Dr. Mario World, Miyamoto stated that mobile apps will not be the main focus for upcoming Mario games. He emphasized that Nintendo's core strategy revolves around integrated hardware and software experiences, where the control's intuitiveness is a vital aspect of the gaming experience. Miyamoto noted that adapting Mario games for mobile devices was a complex task due to the generic nature of these devices, which is why he took on a directorial role for Super Mario Run to ensure a faithful translation of the Nintendo experience. While mobile games can broaden the audience for Mario, Miyamoto's comments suggest that Nintendo will maintain a cautious approach to mobile gaming. This stance is further supported by the company's decision to discontinue Dragalia Lost, its only original mobile IP, and its new joint venture with DeNA, which aims to expand Nintendo's digital presence on other platforms while linking user activities through Nintendo Accounts.