Nintendo releasing “free mini-games” on phones. The inevitable approaches?

Nintendo’s releasing free mini-games on phones. Now, now. They’re mini-games, okay? Don’t go thinking they’re demos. Even though they’re short little games that are intended to get you to buy full games. Okay? Totally not demos. That sort of insanity would go against Nintendo’s pretty staunch stance against releasing titles on the mobile tip.

This year looks to be Nintendo’s toughest. Nintendo, however, is looking to change that. Respected Japanese newspaper Nikkei reports that within this year, Nintendo apparently plans to use smartphones to win back gamers. Well, kind of.

According to an unconfirmed Nikkei report, Nintendo plans to release trailers for new games on smartphones (presumably Android and iOS) as well as “free mini-games.” Until now, Nintendo hasn’t made any gaming content available on smartphones.2

Note that the Nikkei does not use the Japanese word for “demo,” which is either “taikenban” (体験版) or “demo” (デモ). It explicitly states “muryou no mini geemu” (無料のミニゲーム) or “free mini-game.” Nikkei reports that the idea is that if players enjoy the mini-games, they can purchase the actual software for their Nintendo hardware. That sounds awfully like a demo!

Nintendo will apparently make a wide swath of information about its games available via smartphones—such as introducing the game’s story and characters as well as the release date and price.

[Kotaku]