Nintendo Classic Mini SNES Console Rumor, Lackluster Super Mario Run Performance, More Smartphone Games In 2017

By Edwin Kee
Nintendo files trademark for SNES controller
Could the latest trademark filing by Nintendo for an SNES controller point to the possibility of a SNES Classic console? Trademark Bot

The NES Classic Mini console certainly proved itself to be a far more popular hit than expected. While I am quite sure that the folks over at Nintendo were quietly confident that the NES Classic Mini would have performed well in the market, they certainly did not see the kind of hype that it registered, taking into consideration the console shortage that we have seen right up to Christmas Day. Well, it looks like the NES Classic Mini has set a precedent for Nintendo, and we could be looking at a SNES Classic Mini in the pipeline. After all, Trademark Bot tweeted that Nintendo has just filed a trademark for an SNES controller. Knowing how the SNES hails from the 16-bit era, it would not make sense to roll out such an old console in this day and age, not when there is the Nintendo Switch being prepared for a March 2017 release. The possibility of a SNES Classic Mini is certainly plausible now, trademark filing and all.

The SNES (as it is known in the US -- across the Pacific, it is called the Super Famicom) was the 16-bit successor to the huge 8-bit hit that everyone knows and love, the NES. This was where we were first introduced to the wonders of Mode 7 graphics, where the likes of Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart and Super Mario World helped our imaginations run riot. Of course, at the end of the day, the trademark filing might not amount to anything at all, other than Nintendo doing their bit to protect its design.

Super Mario Run’s performance: Is it good or bad?
Super Mario Run might be Nintendo’s latest game to hit the market, and it is one with a difference. It was released on the iOS platform, allowing iPhone and iPad owners to enjoy the game. However, the difference is, Super Mario Run comes with a $10 price tag, which is certainly more expensive than many other mobile platform games. Despite the price tag, it still managed to rack up more than 50 million downloads, and the ratings have been far from impressive. Not only that, it has also dropped out from being the highest grossing game after just five days of its release, which goes to show that Nintendo ought to revise their pricing strategy down the road.

Nintendo’s 2017 plans: 2 to 3 new mobile games
While Super Mario Run on the iOS platform has not exactly broken sales records, this does not mean that Nintendo is going to give up on the smartphone platform. We have heard from Nintendo's president, Tatsumi Kimishima, that there is a very real possibility of Nintendo rolling out more of their well loved characters onto smartphone and tablet platforms next year.

Greenbot did mention that in a Japanese interview with Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima, this move is meant to ensure that Nintendo establishes a kind of momentum going ahead into the year ahead. Of course, we would also be surprised if Nintendo continues with a similar pricing strategy, taking into consideration how Super Mario Run’s $10 price tag affected its sales figures. No idea on whether upcoming mobile game releases will be made available on both iOS and Android platforms simultaneously. Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing were cited to be two of the possible titles that will hit the smartphone platform next year.

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