No offense, but I don't quite see how that relates to the thread

Oh whoops :p

Makes me wonder even more if Nintendo's next HH should be an add-on for mobiles so that everyone can get most of the Android games as well as their own IPs, the only concerning point to me is the difference in the horsepower of various devices, but probably bundles with X smartphone + Nintendo HH would come out...

Being able to play mobile games on Nintendo hardware (I mean, making the platform have most of those mobile games you can get from phones and tablets) could help Nintendo to land some sales here and there. Like for example a kid seens this game that a parent is playing on the phone and he could get that same game on a Nintendo platform.

But, as was the case with Sony, Nintendo is facing a wall in the form of competing with devices that serve a key function beyond gaming: connecting people with phone service. That is the key advantage that phones have over dedicated gaming platforms, people need them in their daily lives call people and stuff.

This game is much more than just a mobile port. It has a full 3D over-world and what looks like a pretty significant storyline. Basically, it looks to be a console RPG with a mobile-style battle system.

I really hope that this gets localized. I would probably get this day #1.

Is the iOS/Android game "Free To Start" and the 3DS without any ingame purchases (~$40 retail)?

Wow, for a game that is on mobile devices, those are very good sales. I suppose you can't cut out handhelds just yet x D

True. It looks better than Puzzles and Dragons at the very least.

People already had cellphones during the GBA and PSP/DS era to connect to each other, the difference is smarphones are now competing the gaming department. Of course an handheld for gaming can't compete with a general purpose device (just like home consoles can't compete with laptops and desktop computers), but since the mobile market is so large, even if you manage to attract just a small share of users you'll still get great results (as this game shows).

Also, as mobile platforms will get more and more content in the coming years, so making a console "mobile-friendly" in terms of development will guarantee more 3rd party support. Of course this shouldn't change the main selling point of their handlhelds, which are 1st party games.