Last Sunday, Nintendo launched the mega-hyped Nintendo 3DS, a hand-held gaming system featuring glasses-free 3D technology. But apparently Nintendo is looking for another killer application to tout in its next home gaming console.
In a recent interview with CNN, Nintendo hinted that 3D technology would not be the star product for home gamers.
"Glasses-free is a big deal," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo for America. "We've not said publicly what the next thing for us will be in the home console space, but based on what we've learned on 3-D, likely, that won't be it."
The Nintendo Wii launched in 2006, making it due for a refresh if Nintendo is going by a console's typical five-year lifecycle. Targeting casual gamers with its novel motion sensor technology, the Nintendo Wii became the U.S.'s best-selling console in 2008 before falling far behind the pack in January 2011, when NPD reported that Wii sales declined 31.5 percent that month compared to the year before.
So despite Nintendo's dogged defense of 3D technology during months leading up to the 3DS's launch, it is looking for another platform to tout in its next home console, whenever that may be. This probably comes as no surprise to the industry, given the current unpopularity of 3D TVs.
On Tuesday, Nintendo said launch day sales for the 3DS were the highest ever for a Nintendo hand-held device. For more, see PCMag's review of the Nintendo 3DS.
For more on the future of 3D technology, see "3D: Where Is It Going?" and "Buy a 3D TV Now or Wait?".