One thing Nintendo could do to capitalize on smartphones and tablets whitout taking the main games out their proprietary hardware is releasing an Virtual Console app that allows the players to buy individual games as in-app purchases. Android has already a huge emulation community due the open nature of the OS, iOS doesn't have anything like it whitout jailbreaking. Why a Virtual Console app instead of releasing ports as standalone apps? Because this would allow people that already have a library of Virtual Console games to bring it over their smartphones, and would allow them to have better control of the user experience. 

It seems such an obvious route that it's surprising how Nintendo never made it. I not talking about bringing 3DS or WiiU games, but NES, SNES, N64, GB and GBA. Making money from software and also using the whole experience to bring a new public to their main systems and to purchase the new interaction of the franchises they played. 

Now that Pokemon GO is HUGE, I think Nintendo is going to try more with mobile gaming. 

What Nintendo needs is a Netflix like app for their old games. They'll get crazy money, especially if they take full advantage from it.

It would be huge but would also suck. Trying to beat SMB3 with touch controls? Give me a break lol.

Use a controller then

I dont understand why it would bomb. I wouldnt buy them, touch controls suck ass on traditional console games, but it's really hard for a Mario game available to BILLIONS to bomb.

So you think it would be better to play SMB3 on an iPhone 6 with a wireless, non NES controller than just playing it on an NES? lol

I finished Castlevania Aria Of Sorrow and Metroid Fusion on an Android emulator and touch controls worked just fine. And finished Sonic CD port for Android (the official one, paid for it and everything) and it also was a very smooth experience. SMB3 is what? A NES game? Just a D-Pad and two buttons aren't a problem. Adapting N64 and maybe DS games would be more of a task,  but also not impossible. 

Yeah, you're right. I must be the only person who thinks touch controls are inferior. lol

It's not that they are not inferior, but with the right tweaks it's just good enough to not be a problem for most userbase. 

I tried playing Mario World on an Android emulator and...... let's just say that I wasted 10 minutes I will never get back.