But the question is, hasn’t Nintendo always been an entertainment company? Are the firm’s recent shenanigans of buying up animation studios and expressing a desire to make more movies really all that surprising? Remember, this is the company that started out life making playing cards before moving into toys and running love hotels, after all…
Being an ‘entertainment’ company doesn’t necessarily mean having your financial fingers in many production pies. It’s true, Nintendo’s main focus since the ’80s has been video games, but the figurehead of Mario has long transcended the titles in which he has appeared — much like people recognise Mickey Mouse without having ever watched Steamboat Willie.
Doug Bowser is gesturing towards Nintendo’s move towards becoming a Disney-like powerhouse whose reach extends far beyond its main product, but it is nonetheless interesting to consider just how we have all perceived the company for all these years.
So, what do you reckon? Has Nintendo always been in the larger ‘entertainment’ business, or is this a sign of a bold new direction? Fill in the following poll to let us know which side you fall on, and then take to the comments to share your thoughts.
