This is very Nintendo. They have always built the hardware first, and then designed the games around that second. The Super Famicom had advanced graphics (inclu

This is very Nintendo. They have always built the hardware first, and then designed the games around that second. The Super Famicom had advanced graphics (including Mode 7) and sound, and the games showcased that. Nintendo 64 had that amazing SGI MIPS cpu, and combined with an analog controller meant that they could make great 3D games. The Wii's motion tracking opened up a sucessful albeit small offering of games unique for the platform. It's a little different this time around in that they didn't build the hardware. As noted in the article, they have no experience of not owning the entire system. What they have come up with is something that utilizes the social capabilities of the platform that they are playing on, and is worth being commended. I just hope whatever currency things they come up with steer clear of kompu-gachu[0] style mechanics. You can criticize Nintendo for a lot of things, but they don't do cynical executions or cash grabs. Just doing a straight port of Mario onto a smartphone would be terrible, because the touch screen can't give as good an experience as a dedicated game controller can. [0]http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/05/16/digital/japans-social-gaming-industry-hindered-by-governments-anti-gambling-move http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/05/16/digital/japans-s...