When will Nintendo go mobile? Now even kids prefer tablets to 3DS

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Tablets have overtaken the Nintendo 3DS for the first time as the portable gaming device of choice amongst British kids. Is this a further sign Nintendo need to change?

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According to MCV, which cites a Futuresource Consulting study, 44% of British kids between the ages of 3 and 12 now own a tablet. Astonishingly, 30% of kids aged 3-4 own one too.

The rest of the figures are pretty surprising too: 25% of 9-10 year olds own a smartphone, and 46% of 11-12 year olds.

So what does this mean? Could it be problematic for Nintendo? We all know the WiiU is struggling, which makes a successful handheld line even more important for Nintendo… but if this is starting to slip too, could the company be in trouble?

Despite fans constantly urging the company, Nintendo has held firm repeatedly insisting that it is not interested in mobile gaming, even though it is a no-brainer. The thinking here is that Nintendo still make a profit on each 3DS sold, so why stop making them? Similarly, on the 3DS Nintendo can charge £30 for a game, whereas on mobile the price of games is massively devalued (not to mention more competitive).

As kids increasingly turn to mobile though, could this change the equations?

James O’Malley
For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv

3 comments

  • Sometimes that is exactly what happens cheap fifa 14 coins when things don't turn out the way they should .If you have faith fifa 14 coins, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until cheap fifa 14 coins some time later…

  • Another dim article from a so called “journalist” that doesn’t understand the industry, more people may play on their tablets/phones but they aren’t the same AAA experiences and are no good for long gaming sessions. It is the equivalent of saying adverts will kill films, people said the 3DS would fall to smartphones now over 40 million have sold can you explain that?

  • Another dim article from a so called “journalist” that doesn't understand the industry, more people may play on their tablets/phones but they aren't the same AAA experiences and are no good for long gaming sessions. It is the equivalent of saying adverts will kill films, people said the 3DS would fall to smartphones now over 40 million have sold can you explain that?

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