If a new patent is to be believed, it seems Nintendo may have some renewed interest in bringing its classic game library to mobile devices.
The patent from Nintendo details a piece of technology that would emulate mobile game consoles like the Game Boy in other settings, mobile phones included. The patent also mentions emulating the Game Boy in other settings like on the back of seats on trains and planes. TechCrunch reports that this patent is an update to an existing IP.
Emulation is nothing new. Gamers for years have (illegally) installed emulators for older game consoles on their computers and mobile devices in order to play some of the classics. This allows players to play their favorite games without old console hardware or the need for discs or cartridges. Nintendo even does it themselves, allowing players to download older games on new devices like Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS.
However, the company in the past has been very hesitant at offering Nintendo games on non-Nintendo platforms, believing that doing so would give players less incentive to purchase Nintendo game consoles. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said as much earlier this year.
"Many people say that releasing Nintendo's software assets for smart devices would expand our business," Iwata said at an investors meeting in January. "However, we believe that we cannot show our strength as an integrated hardware-software business in this field, and therefore it would difficult to continue the same scale of business in the medium- to long term."
Instead, Iwata said the company would release an application on mobile devices "that is capable of attracting consumer attention and communicating the value of our entertainment offerings." Iwata says that application could feature games, but that the app would be for drawing attention to Nintendo's platforms.
Is this emulator patent a part of that plan? Hard to say. More recently the company has been looking into new products away from gaming, and will soon offer "quality of life" products" like a bedside sleep sensor. The sleep tracker will monitor fatigue through deploying microwave transmissions in order to sense sleep patterns. That information will then be used to inform individuals of how to form healthier sleeping habits.
