Iwata returns once again for another throw down with lead developers of Nintendo’s current major games. Today that game is Link’s Crossbow Training which has just been released in Japan (May 1st). Though the title doesn’t hold much meat, it’s not such a bad little arcade-like shooter. In this session Miyamoto reveals several unknown topics including his love for FPS games, the need for epic titles, reasons for the zapper, and much more. A snippet from the interview concerning FPS titles…

Miyamoto: I see. Well, where should I start? I’ve always been into first person shooter³ (FPS) style games, 3D games in which you can walk around freely and see things from your own point of view.

Iwata: And why do you like those games?

Miyamoto: I think it is more comfortable, more natural. We are creatures of habit. We don’t look at our feet when we’re walking around, and we’re always trying desperately to take in the scenery while we’re living our lives. So, even in these games I want people to be able to get really into the 3D geography, so it feels like you’re really there, since I think it’s a really natural thing to be able to look around while you’re walking. At first when we were developing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time⁴, I even proposed using a first-person perspective.

Iwata: Ocarina of Time from a first-person perspective!?

Miyamoto goes on to tell of his large support for GoldenEye 007. Crazy, eh? Click over to read the entire three page interview, and get a glimpse at some Wii Zapper prototypes (wire and rubber bands).

Iwata is back! This time interviewing Kenichiro Ashida (lead of Wii Wheel project), Hideki Konno (producer), and master, Shigeru Miyamoto (General Producer) for their most recent game, Mario Kart Wii. They jabber on about everything under the sun concerning the MKWii development process including Wii Wheel prototypes, online ranking, understanding Nintendo’s “bridge” titles, why MKWii has motorbikes, and so on. One interesting question brought up was the advantages of the Wii Wheel control scheme vs veteran Gamecube controls.

Konno: “… we came up with a way of addressing that. We provided an incentive for using the Wii Wheel. When you battle someone you don’t know, and in the rankings as well, a Wii Wheel icon appears to the right of your nickname on the screen.”

Miyamoto: “When someone using the GameCube controller gets passed by someone with the Wii Wheel icon, they’re really chagrined. But just like with the Mii Contest Channel for contests, where the number of parts for faces are limited, it’s more fun when there are restraints. When you can get a great time using the wheel, you’ve got a lot of bragging rights.”

Be sure to click over to Wii.com to check out the full interview. Japan and Europe get Mario Kart on April 10th and 11th while US gamers have to wait for April 27th (at least we have Brawl). Personally, I will be using the GC controller all the way. Don’t get me wrong, motion controls are neat and all, but steering with the remote has yet to be “nailed”.

What Mario Kart Wii control scheme will you be using? Wii Wheel, Remote with Nunchuk, Gamecube, or Classic pad?

Dojo’s double update today included the launch of a behind the scenes interview with Super Smash Brothers director, Masahiro Sakurai. This multi-volume interview explores the development cycle starting with day one (May 2005) to the completion of the game. It’s a great read that lets us have a peek at how Nintendo commands it’s sub companies like Sora (Brawl dev). Here’s a portion of the interview…

Hello, Everyone. My name is Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo Co., Ltd. Beginning today, I would like to deliver an interview that explains the vision and the development process behind the creation of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. But before we begin, I would like to offer an apology.

With the completion of the game falling behind schedule, we were unable to keep our promised release date, despite our greatest efforts in attempting to release this game on time. I would like to extend my most sincere apology to all of our customers that are anticipating the title’s release, and also to our retailers.

I have asked Mr. Nagata from “Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun” (a webpage hosted by famed copywriter Shigesato Itoi), who is a fan of Smash Bros. himself, to take on the role as the editor for this Iwata Asks interview. The last time he helped us was with the Iwata Asks series before the Wii launch, but I feel like I have asked the perfect candidate to convey the appeal of Smash Bros.

I hope you enjoy this interview…..

Be sure to check out all of vol. 1 here.

This past year was arguably a year of high’s and more high’s for Nintendo. Any of the firm’s blemishes were easily washed away by its monthly successes, and the core gamer — the everyman and woman who once again controls the fate of the video game industry — would tell you that Nintendo met their expectations and then some (with the exception, of course, that supply chain issues will cost the company an estimated $1 billion). That said, room for growth exists in spades, and I fully expect 2008 to be another banner year for the house that Mario built.

In that light, I suppose it is fitting that the head of Nintendo, President and CEO Satoru Iwata, would top the Top 25 People of 2007 list over at Next Generation. (more…)

I don’t know if any of you guys and gals have been following this, but about six months ago Satoru Iwata and Shigesato Itoi, Iwata’s “old friend” from Hobonichi, sat down over take-out for an eleven-part discussion on Nintendo, video games, and everything in between.

Today’s segment, “Don’t do the easy,” is something I should have read before posting my rant on shallow games becoming the norm. They almost go hand-in-hand. (more…)

Malstrom is at it again. Today he’s delivered us a series of new (and lengthy!) articles about gaming, Nintendo and the future of the industry as a whole. I think with the outrageous success currently being enjoyed by the Wii and its software (you know, the software that ignoramuses say doesn’t exist yet) this is an especially timely delivery.

On a personal note, the reason I enjoy these columns is two-fold. First, the style is unique. There are no other writers out there today in the gaming industry that can hold a candle to the style that Malstrom brings in his articles. They tell a story, create characters and include real life quotes from industry movers and shakers, and advance the conversation instead of miring it in stagnation. Kind of like the Wii and DS.

Secondly, they use words from the analysts and industry players themselves. Oftentimes Malstrom simply sits back and lets some of these clowns set the stage for him. In this light, the columns cannot be dismissed as fanboyism or marketing because they employ something rarely seen in the putrid, vitriolic message boards and forums of today: facts. For those reasons alone, these are a welcome addition to Infendo. I haven’t seen these columns outside of Infendo (aside from at the now-retired Wiikly.com), so for that I thank Mal for the pro bono contribution. I think I speak for Blake, David and the rest of Infendo when I say thanks a million for these articles. But I digress, as usual.

On that note, here’s one of Malstrom’s latest, A Rising Continent.

– Jack (more…)

In a report by GameSpot, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata responded to continued Wii shortages some 6 months after it’s launch and defending Wii/DS and “next-gen” systems: “It looks like some people are (saying) Nintendo is not incorporating state-of-the-art technologies into its products,” Iwata said. “We are using state-of-the-art technologies to realize the compact-size Wii console with low power consumption.”

No mention of motion controls and snazzy DS controls, Iwata? Depending on your definition of state of the art, that’s got to be at least innovative when applied to video games. But alas, the real issue is that a majority of people only view state of the art as high-end graphics and processing power. That’s short sighted.

Woe be Nintendo of America today, for Satoru Iwata is very disappointed in them. During an earnings call this week, the head of Nintendo lambasted his American brethren for the red headed stepchildren that they are.

Iwata:

When I received a report from the U.S. that they sold 1 million Pokémon Diamond & Pearl already, I asked them, “why did you sell only 10,000 Brain Age last week, when Europe sold through 30,000?” This is a typical example of how I communicate with our people in the U.S.

NOA, why can’t you be more like your brother? The video games industry takes a continual dump on Europe year-over-year, and it still outsells you?

In all fairness however, Iwata is probably just trying to set the table for a crazy DS/Wii 2007 in the U.S. Light a fire under some executives asses, you might say. I assume he smells blood in the water (or the competition hemorrhaging money), and wants to strike sooner rather than later.

Interesting note: Iwata also hints that future Wii Channels could come with a price tag attached. Horse Armor Channel, here we come!

Good find by 4cr. Wonder if it’s real… hmm…

[YakYak, via 4cr]

Even stuffy financial types are getting on the Nintendo bandwagon, and with good reason. The Kyoto-based flagship of fun has capitalized on the success of the Wii and the DS to the tune of $6 billion in cash. Oh, and Satoru Iwata was the only video game exec to make Barron’s top 40 CEOs list.

Kyoto, Japan-based Nintendo’s earnings are jumping and its cash hoard has swelled to more than $6 billion. Iwata, a former game developer, says his strategy is simple: “We are not fighting against other companies–we are fighting against ignorance of video games.” Certainly, no one is in the dark anymore about Nintendo’s potential.

Rumors of Iwata erecting a giant Scrooge McDuck-style money bin have been greatly exaggerated. The solid gold bidet may have some truth to it, however.

[Barron’s top 40, via Kotaku]