No, Nintendo are not launching their own smartphone (though I have no idea why, as it would probably result in Black Friday levels of consumer chaos, and their have been rumours that they might be developing their own Android tablet), but are potentially bringing their games to third-party devices. The news broke last week that the Japanese gaming giant had patented its own emulation software, which could potentially allow users to play Gameboy and Gameboy Advance classics from their smartphones. Of course, emulation software is far from a stunning technological advance, this would mark the first time a major gaming company has legally entered the ring themselves. It would also mean that iPhone users, who currently have to jailbreak their devices in order to play emulated games, would finally be able to join the party that Android users have been enjoying for years.
Nintendo has patented its own Game Boy emulation software
The specifics of the patent essentially describe software that allows Game Boy games to run on devices that are not designed to do so, which is actually a harder feat than many would realise, as the systems used proprietary sound and graphics hardware and microprocessors that are now obsolete. The salient section of the patent reads; “A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimisations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform.” It was made public last week, but was actually filed back in June, and it's worth noting that a similar patent was already filed back in 2000. This means that Nintendo might not actually be considering bringing Game Boy games to third-party devices, but are simply protecting its IP.
Rumours have been circulating that Nintendo might be developing their own Android tablet
The patent also includes plans to install Game Boy emulators on devices besides smartphones and tablets, like the displays found on the backs of some seats on planes and trains. However, in a report on IGN, Nintendo said that low-capability platforms might not “Have enough processing power to readily provide acceptable speed performance, unless the software emulator is carefully designed and carefully optimised.” If there is one company that would be able to optimise Nintendo games though, it's Nintendo.
The patent includes plans to install Game Boy emulators on other devices
Of course this is all speculation for now, and Nintendo's official stance on the matter is still that they will not be allowing their games to be played on other manufacturer's platforms. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said in an interview back in May that “Games such as Mario and Zelda are designed for (Nintendo) game machines,” and believed that if they were to “Transfer them into smartphones as they are, customers won't be satisfied,” and it will “Decrease the value of the content.” Personally, however, with the interest generated by just the mere mention of official Nintendo emulation, I think Ninty would be a little daft not to at least consider going forward with it. Virtual controls are always a little fiddly, but the sheer convenience of having all of my favourite Game Boy games in my pocket is a fair trade-off. I for one have always looked at my iPhone and thought; “Yeah it's great, but I can't play Pokemon on it can I?”
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and struggling musician from Kidderminster in the UK. He has owned every Nintendo console since the NES, but that doesn't mean he'd be above playing Super Mario Bros. 3 on his phone!
