Iwata: Nintendo won't make mobile games
But Nintendo would make "profits" if it did.
An under-pressure Nintendo has ruled out any likelihood of ever making games for mobiles.
"This is absolutely not under consideration," Nintendo's Satoru Iwata told Nikkei (via Andriasang).
"If we did this, Nintendo would cease to be Nintendo."
In theory, however, Iwata believes Nintendo would find quick success and "profits" should it turn to mobile gaming.
"[Making mobile games is] probably the correct decision in the sense that the moment we started to release games on smartphones we'd make profits," Iwata said.
"However, I believe my responsibility is not to short-term profits, but to Nintendo's mid- and long-term competitive strength."
Nintendo's 3DS got off to a worryingly slow start. But Iwata believes the price "hurdle" has now been cleared, and declared that the August price cut was the "first and last" time the system will plummet in price.
Iwata hopes Christmas 3DS sales will finally put an end to doubts about the system's future.
Unfortunately, his confidence is not shared by investors. Nintendo's stock fell five per cent yesterday following the platform holder's Tokyo Game Show 2011 press conference.
Even Monster Hunter 4 on 3DS can't dispel the apparent taint investors attach to the system.