NINTENDO is teaming up with the US developer behind hit game Pokémon Go to create a suite of new mobiles games.
The two companies announced yesterday that they were developing augmented reality games centred on classic Nintendo characters.
The first to roll out will feature the colourful half-animal, half-vegetable Pikmin characters in a game due for launch later this year.
The game will allow players to “experience the world as if Pikmin are secretly living all around us”, Nintendo said in a statement.
Augmented reality (AR) technology superimposes scenery and characters onto your real-world view as seen through your smartphone camera.
The technology was key to the success of Pokémon Go, which offered players the chance to see Pokémon populate their neighbourhoods.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto , who created Pikmin as well famed Nintendo characters Donkey Kong and Mario, said the app would “make walking fun”.
Nintendo has traditionally shied away from mobile games, preferring instead to keep its popular characters on console platforms.
However, in recent years it has relaxed this rule with the release of games like Mario Kart Tour and Super Mario Run.
Niantic boss John Hanke said: “As we continue to expand our games portfolio, it was a natural next step to team up with Nintendo.
“We’re looking forward to shaping the future of AR together.”
