Iwata shrugs off iPad and 3D gaming in recent interview

[mushroom_mage]

source: nintendoworldreport.com, nytimes.com

At a recent event at a Tokyo Hotel, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata expressed his skepticism of Apple's iPad, 3D gaming, and the importance of high-definition capabilities for game consoles.

The iPad, revealed last Wednesday by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, was dismissed by Iwata as "a bigger iPod Touch". He stated his feelings quite bluntly: "There were no surprises for me."

Iwata was also skeptical about 3D gaming, recently championed by Sony with their PS3 console and Bravia line of televisions, and popularized by James Cameron's blockbuster film "Avatar".

In addition to citing a need to investigate the health impact of playing 3D games for hours on end, Iwata looked at the issue from another, more practical point of view. He quipped, "I have doubts whether people will be wearing glasses to play games at home. How is that going to look to other people?"

He also addressed rumors that the successor to the Nintendo DS would include motion-sensing technology, and that the Wii would soon be upgraded to support HD screen resolutions. While he admitted that Nintendo engineers had new machines in the works, he added, "I question whether those features would be enough to get people to buy new machines."

[Narudog]

I agree with him on the iPad thing... it's just a tablet pc dubbed down to a mac... yay? No. And an HD version of the Wii would probably sell, as long as they utilize it...

[Nightmare]

[Dr. IVXX]

Wow, Iwata has the exact same opinion as I do on the Ipad. It's a hugeass Ipod Touch with all the cool stuff taken away. It's Apples sad attempt at a tablet PC. This is like... Apple's Virtual Boy.