The Nintendo 3DS can technically be used as a secondary Wii U controller, but players would have to sacrifice their internet connection.
"First, I would like to answer from the perspective of whether it is technically possible or not. I will say that it is technically possible. However, there are some limitations," he responded.
"While the Nintendo 3DS is communicating with the Wii or the Wii U, the Wii or the Wii U will not be able to access the Internet, and this technical restriction will remain unless we add some special hardware."
Iwata said he's also concerned about the message that would be sent out to Nintendo fans if 3DS/Wii U integration was perceived to be a necessity.
"If we decide that using the Nintendo 3DS as a controller for the Wii U is the most obvious choice, we will do so without hesitation but, on the other hand, if software from Nintendo for the Wii or the Wii U system could not be enjoyed without the Nintendo 3DS, some consumers might feel that Nintendo is saying that consumers must buy both systems.
"So that consumers will not think of Nintendo as a company that made the Nintendo 3DS a controller because it wanted consumers to buy both hardware systems, we will not adopt this idea unless connecting the two systems is the most natural thing to do. As for connecting multiple gaming devices, we actually did this in the Nintendo GameCube era.
Iwata harked back to previous generations where similar integration between platforms was implemented. He didn't seem confident, however, that the company would see similar uptake today:
"We connected the Nintendo GameCube and the Game Boy Advance and called it 'Connectivity.' Over a period of more than ten years, Nintendo has proposed similar entertainment features several times, and we received a certain level of response, but we feel that something like this that has a high threshold will not really spread among consumers.
"At that time, there were other problems, like a cable sold separately was necessary to do this, so we would like to think of it as a possibility now that the communication can be done wirelessly, but even if we should do this, we would like to develop this service so that we will not receive comments from consumers saying, 'Why does Nintendo force us to buy both systems?'"
Comments
9 comments so far...
RustySpoon80 on 7 Jul '11 said:
Is it just me, or does it sound like Nintendo are just making this up as they go along. Perhaps they should have waited another year before unveiling this and waiting for the hardware to be finalised. That way they'd also have some games running on the actual hardware.
Judging by what I've seen so far, I think this may be Nintendo's Dreamcast. I hope it isn't, but it just seems like they don't have a clear goal any more.
Deinsleaf on 7 Jul '11 said:
Thank you Captain Obvious. Every hardware has its limitations. Unless it has the power to replicate and repair itself.
Wozzakl on 7 Jul '11 said:
The Wii U is limitation upon limitation -- the controller's touchscreen is single-touch, FFS! Disappointed that the 3DS is single-touch, but it's patheric that the U is.
milky_joe on 7 Jul '11 said:
Even if this thing is a horrible failure, it will never be their Dreamcast. The situation between Sega before the launch of the DC and Nintendo at any point ever is massively different. They simply make too much money...
Darkwun on 7 Jul '11 said:
despite the negative implications of this article, im just happy to see that nintendo are actually listening to the consumers
YCshinobi on 7 Jul '11 said:
What about if you're wired to the internet? :/
AJDarkstar on 7 Jul '11 said:
I've seen dual-stylus touch-screen 3DS games, so 3DS clearly isn't single touch, suggesting 3DS is unlikely to be single-touch....
Balladeer on 7 Jul '11 said:
If it hadn't been for all the leaks it probably would have been.
nikporwal on 12 Jul '11 said:
Limitations upon limitations is Wii U has..the touchscreen of the controller is single touch, Ffs . Darn!
Disappointed that the 3DS is single-touch, but it's pathetic that the U is also single touch. I don't like it, But I like that Nintendo is actually listening to the customers.