Nintendo 3DS And Wii U Sales Would Improve With Disney 'Super Mario Bros.,' 'Pokémon' Movies, Expert Says [WATCH]

(Photo : Nintendo/Facebook) One financial expert believes that an acquisition by Disney is the best way to save slouching sales for Nintendo's 3DS and Wii U. According to the analyst, movies and theme park attractions based on the developer's popular franchises, like "Super Mario Bros." and "Pokémon," would help the company expand its brand awareness. Nintendo recently had to slash its 2014 sales projections by 6.8 percent.

Following recent weakened 3DS and Wii U sales projections in Japan, one financial analyst believes that Nintendo should merge with Disney to create TV shows and movies based on popular franchises like "Pokémon" and "Super Mario Bros."

The news comes to Design & Trend via a report from Yahoo Finance. Amir Anvarzadeh of BGC Securities recently sat down with newscasters at CNBC to discuss Nintendo's interesting financial predicament. As reported by many industry outlets earlier in the week, the gaming giant was forced to reduce its 2014 earnings projections by 6.8 percent despite having an exciting software lineup for Wii U and 3DS. Many Nintendo fans thought that titles like "Mario Kart 8," and "Super Smash Bros." could save the Wii U from slouching sales, but new numbers indicate that that may not be the case.

As Anvarzadeh puts it, these popular Wii U and 3DS franchises still have the ability to take Nintendo out of the red. However, in his eyes, doing so involves using Mario and "Pokémon" to sell more than software. "They need to branch out the characters that are so well recognized" and place them in movie and TV scenarios similar to what Sanrio has done with the "Hello Kitty." While Nintendo has already attempted brand expansion with "Pokémon" in recent years, the suggestion is put forth that the company "isn't doing it fast enough" when it comes to investing in other lucrative areas.

From Anvarzadeh's point of view, the biggest solution to Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS woes is a media-centric partnership with Disney. After all, Disney has recently gone on an acquisition spree by purchasing Lucasfilm, Marvel and Pixar from their respective owners. Clearly the kid-focused animation leader has some revenue to throw towards Nintendo too. In fact, the financial analyst even asserts the claim that Nintendo is the "Pixar of the video game world" thanks to the studio's pedigree for high-quality, family-friendly franchises.

In few words, he says that a merger between Nintendo and Disney would be a "perfect fit" for both sides due to major crossover in brand demographics.

It's worth noting that Nintendo did experiment with various animation projects based on the "Super Mario Bros." franchise throughout the '80s and '90s. It's during these years that the company was at the peak of steady popularity and success.

Beyond animation, there's also the thought that Disney could bring Mario and "Pokémon" to theme park attractions as well.

The greatest beauty for this expansion, in Anvarzadeh's mind, is that it doesn't put Nintendo's Wii or 3DS business in jeopardy. While Disney focuses on animation, Nintendo could still create the hardware and characters that have made the brand famous. In some senses, the electronic end of Nintendo could only stand to benefit from the increased exposure.

Do you think Disney could help Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS business through an animation partnership based on "Super Mario Bros." and "Pokemon?" 

Source : http://www.designntrend.com/articles/37437/20150130/nintendo-3ds-wii-u-sales-disney-super-mario-bros-pok%C3%A9mon-movies-watch.htm