Although this sounds like a nice idea for self-respecting 20-somethings on aeroplanes, there are obstacles.

As the original conduit of much of the available content, it's safe to assume that Nintendo's hardware is best suited to deliver it. Wii's Classic Controller is my rock, Wii U's controller options also appear to cover the input requirements. People who REALLY want that content on other platforms will find a way, but they must expect to jump through hoops to get there. Even on platforms where all the necessary knobs and dials are present, it's still a selling point for Nintendo, and spreading it around like a tupenny whore will land them in the clap clinic double-quick.

I implore advocates of such fanciful polices to elaborate on HOW this would benefit Nintendo. It's no good to state that it should happen, simply because of a desire to see it enacted.

I don't see hardware as a large barrier. Emulators are everywhere and some do a better job than the Virtual Console (like for PAL games). Also it would be good timing for iOS Virtual Console as Apple have standardised the API for third party controllers for iOS devices. Nintendo could even release their own official accessory if it is such an issue.

And is it currently a big selling point for Nintendo consoles? I think having your old games available on 600 million iOS devices to get people hooked on the franchises is better than having it as a perk to the 3.2 million who are already interested. People aren't suggesting Nintendo do something like this for no reason, I certainly don't think you can say it is fanciful.

Nintendo: Doomed since 1990!

(Video)

HOW will this benefit Nintendo?

What? I just explained that but I'll say it again more clearly with the example of Zelda.

1. 600 million people have the option to buy and play old Zelda games on their iOS device (Nintendo make money from the sales)

2. X of these people loved them, and are attracted to the new Zelda games only on 3DS and Wii U (Nintendo sell more consoles and make more money)

3. Nintendo loses the people who bought the Wii U for the Virtual Console (Nintendo loses pretty much no money)

How does this not benefit Nintendo?

This would dilute their overall product by removing the hardware / software synergy that they have always extolled, put their content delivery systems out of their control, and draw resources away from their core business, as Rol mentioned earlier. Nintendo already make money from sales. They already have the potential to attract people to new games, and although they may not be going about it in the right way (this is what marketing is for), whoring themselves out to fickle platforms like smartphones and tablets would risk devaluing their own platforms. How do you make the corellation between a user of a mobile game anticipating a further installment on a different dedicated gaming system? There's no guarantee that they will, but if the "trigger" is already on that system, there is more control, and thus more benefit for the content provider.

Given the popularity of emulators, I'm not sure this synergy is important. It's not like the Virtual Console games are sticking to the same hardware anyway. They would have all control over their content as they can pull the games whenever they want, it's not like they lose their rights to anything. As for resources, the emulators exist already.

They aren't making money off these old games really anyway, but given the millions of downloads of their ROMs there is clearly a market there. Sticking to what they "already do" is losing them money right now. While they will almost certainly turn things around sticking to the same old strategy, why not branch out and look at new opportunities? I don't think it should be judged so harshly as a strategy. The Wii U isn't "devalued" as the value is not in exclusivity to old games, it's in the new games otherwise why pick a Wii U over the previous consoles? Also they aren't whoring themselves out by letting people use Miiverse on other platforms are they?

As for the corellation between a user of these games anticipating a further installment on a different system, this is exactly how console makers get people to switch generations. You love Zelda on the Wii? You are interested in getting a Wii U when Zelda comes out. You love Zelda on iOS? The newest ones are always exclusive to the current Nintendo consoles, so you are interested in them. How is it different? As soon as your last console is dead, why not turn every iOS device into your last console?

If Nintendo delivers the content, they get more control. With their current setup, there is no need to pay dues to a third-party storefront for the priviledge of reaching a nebulous consumer base who may or may not care.

Miiverse is a free social networking platform, not a retail product, therefore not certifiably whoreable™, and your references to emulation and piracy are not only irrelevant, but also contradict your own arguments as to the benefits of reaching into new territories.

How is emulation and piracy irrelevant? There are millions of people who have downloaded old Nintendo games. You don't think a legal alternative would capture a portion of this market? There has been a significant decrease in music, TV show and film piracy which has been attributed to the rise of Spotify and Netflix. They could do the same for their games.

And they are just the people who care enough to go to the trouble of jailbreaking / researching emulators / finding ROMs. Given that this doesn't account for every iOS device owner, I don't see how I contradict myself.