Nintendo Will Only Offer NFTs if They Add 'Joy'

Nintendo has revealed that it is interested in exploring what the metaverse and non-fungible tokens can add to the world of gaming — as long as it adds "joy" to the experience.

Although the Super Mario maker believes that digital collectibles and virtual worlds have potential, it's clear the entertainment giant plans to take its time on defining where they can have value.

NFTs have come in for criticism among some gamers — amid accusations that they simply serve as a way of extracting more money from players. But enthusiasts argue that they enable users to truly own in-game assets, sell them for a profit, and potentially transport them between worlds.

Environmental concerns also play a factor when it comes to NFTs, as does the argument that they don't add anything to a game's design.

An Innovative Streak

While Nintendo may not be the first to hit the market with NFTs or a metaverse, the console manufacturer has a proud reputation of adding an innovative streak to its products.

The 1990s saw the introduction of the Rumble Pak, enabling players to feel vibrations in the games they were playing.

By the early 2000s, it was the dual-screen DS that was turning heads — complete with a touchscreen that transformed gameplay.

The Wii console ramped up interactivity even further, making a player's movement a crucial part of gameplay — and the Switch's arrival meant that a gamer would automatically benefit from a handheld console that could easily be displayed on the TV.

In a call with investors, Nintendo hinted that attention is beginning to turn to the next-generation device that will succeed the Switch.