At its third quarter financial results briefing, Nintendo revealed several important details regarding its plans for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in the future.
To begin with, Nintendo announced that a new Super Mario game will be released for the 3DS later this year. Although few details were given, the company did state that the game would be in 2D. If it follows Nintendo’s recent 2D Mario games, it could be a new entry in the New Super Mario Bros. sub-series.
Nintendo reiterated that it will show the Wii U console in final format at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, with a release for the console still on track for later this year in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan.
Speaking of the Wii U, the system’s tablet-esque controller will now feature Near Field Communication technology. This will allow users to create cards and figurines that can read and write data, with other uses also possible, such as making micropayments.
Finally, the company plans on overhauling the existing Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service as the Nintendo Network. The new service will continue to allow users to play online games, but will also allow users to engage in competitions with others. Nintendo Network will also allow its users to communicate between each other and purchase digital content, including full games, ala Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. The Wii U will include a system for personalized online accounts for Nintendo Network.
Source: Nintendo
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