Nintendo Co. has released its first mobile app, designed to connect Nintendo 3DS consoles to Android devices and provide access to the Web.
The announcement follows some recent negative news for the Japanese consumer electronics company, according to Geek. Nintendo reportedly saw close to a half-a-billion dollar loss, as well as the Wii U coming close to being the company's worst-selling non-portable console.
The app is now available for free with the Galaxy S5.
Nintendo did not announce if the connection will come to other markets in the future, CNET reported.
Critics have argued that Nintendo should consider making its first-party titles available on the iOS and Android. These games include Super Mario and the Legends of Zelda. The company, however, believes that it is best to keep its games on its own consoles.
The app uses WPS protocol to make the Nintendo 3DS work online while away from Wi-Fi, Geek reported. It only works with a small amount of devices, and is currently only available in Japan on the Google Play Store.
The app will be released for the Xperia Z2 on May 21, the Aquos Zeta on May 23, and the Arrows NX in late May. It will be released for the Xperia A2, Aquos Pad and Xperia Z2 tablet in mid-June.
Those who use the app can take a short survey for a chance to win a download code for a Virtual Console game for the 3DS, according to Geek. The survey will be available between July and September 30.
The company said it will add more compatible devices in the future.
Nintendo is looking to release its first real mobile app by the end of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The company also announced that it will offer a web service for its new "Mario Cart 8" racing game. The service will allow users to check player rankings and watch and share gameplay. The game will go on sale at the end of May.
"We hope to actively utilize smart devices, but I don't think it's true that there is no future for game consoles because of smartphones," said Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo.
