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Nintendo Ponders Games That Run on Consoles and Handhelds

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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While Nintendo has eschewed version of its games for smartphones and tablets, the company has reportedly considered games that run on its consoles and handheld devices.

In a conversation with Kotaku, Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto was open to the idea of a game that might, for example, work on the Wii U and the DS.

"Certainly we've gotten to an age where the technology has advanced and it's become more and more possible to have a similar experience running on a lower-spec system," Miyamoto said.

As an example, Miyamoto pointed to the Wii U Virtual Console, which lets those with the latest Nintendo console download games made for older systems. "So certainly I think there is possibility in that area in the future," he said.

There are developer challenges that go along with that, he said. And Kotaku stressed that Nintendo wasn't making any announcements, but merely speculating about what could be. But Miyamoto acknowledged that it's "an area of opportunity for us."

Meanwhile, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata will miss this month's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders while he remains on bed rest following a recent surgery.

In a June 24 letter to shareholders, the executive made public his health issues and recovery, announcing that a growth was found in his bile duct.

"I was counseled that removal at an early stage would be the desirable medical option," Iwata he said. "Therefore I had surgery last week, and I came through it well, as predicted."

Iwata offers no timeline for the operation or when he will be back on his feet. But he did write that he's resumed business by email, and anticipated "that a little more time is needed for me to return to my regular work schedule."

The 74th AGM will convene June 27 in Japan, where shareholders will discuss the fiscal year (April 2013 to March 2014) and other financial statements, as well as the distribution of surplus and the election of new directors.

Nintendo did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

Aside from its CEO's recent health dilemma, the one-time gaming giant has had a rough few months. In early May, Nintendo posted its third consecutive operating loss, for which it blamed the under-performing Wii U console.

And just last week, the company lost an infringement battle against Philips Electronics, when a U.K. High Court judge ruled that Nintendo infringed on two of Philips's patents for recognizing hand gestures and motion on its Wii console.

Chloe Albanesius contributed to this story.

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Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

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  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
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