Strange new Nintendo patent comes up, focuses on education

March 20th, 2009 Posted in News, Posted by Valay, Wii

Is this really where Nintendo is heading? If so, the Wii may be in for a new type of casual experience. A Nintendo patent was discovered today and seems to center around one thing: education with Mario and friends with the Wii. The patent harps on titles for a younger audience – toddlers, pre-kindergartners, and those with disabilities. Software would be designed around focusing on number recognition, color identification, reading/writing, and sound recognition. Concepts for games include animal matching, number matching, letter matching, mazes, memory challenges, and more.

Source 1, Source 2, Source


  1. 10 Responses to “Strange new Nintendo patent comes up, focuses on education”

  2. By TheOnlySpero on Mar 20, 2009

    This would be cool. I have a daughter who is almost 2 and this would be perfect for her. I know the hardcore gamers would be mad but educational software is also big money. I am glad Nintendo is dipping into this.

  3. By Methanous on Mar 21, 2009

    ^^ This is not Cool. seems like i will have to shift somewhere else, and kids can go to school

  4. By VoiceofIGN on Mar 21, 2009

    Ever heard of Donkey Kong Jr. Math? Seems to me this only proves Nintendo is supporting the Wii at the same level they were the Nes and are still willing to try new things, but it’s not the first time and it’s not some new direction.

  5. User avatar

    By Valay on Mar 21, 2009

    I think my words were partially misinterpreted. I know that Nintendo has released similar education software in the past, but the same cannot be said for the Wii.

  6. By anon on Mar 21, 2009

    this is fantastic! finally something that will help advance the intellect of children and not turn them into lazy, ignorant, immature gamers! they should also make an adult version (i.e. Brain Age) that stimulates the intellect for adults.

    but as cool as this is i hope Nintendo also continues to release games which harken to the call of the mainstream gamer. give me The Conduit!

  7. By ymous on Mar 21, 2009

    Obviously, Nintendo has never met Fisher Price.

  8. By TheOnlySpero on Mar 21, 2009

    Methanous, if it is not cool then do not buy it. It’s that simple.

    A system will be most successful if it hits all possible demographics and not just the hardcore gamer. If a publisher sees an untapped resource that can make them money then they will attempt to reach out to that resource.

    Software for a console can be more than just mind numbing entertainment as Nintendo has proven it can be for Art, Education, Exercise, and of course games.

  9. By 357 Lobster on Mar 22, 2009

    This had BETTER NOT be their E3 or GDC announcement.

  10. By 357 Lobster on Mar 22, 2009

    Don’t get me wrong, These sorts of things have their place and their benefits, but if Nintendo pulls this out and expects everybody to jump right on board like Wii Music Sony and Microsoft will eat them alive.

  11. By Captain N on Mar 23, 2009

    This is another good side road to make extra income, but I deffinetly don’t think they should put a ton of resources into this, it is untapped so they do have an opportunity with the “Wii ones” lol, but don’t 4get us “core” users as well.

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