Nintendo Bringing Its Games to Smartphones and Tablets, Shares Rise

Nintendo is teaming up with a Japanese mobile gaming company to bring some of its popular video gaming characters to smartphones and tablet computers in a bid to reinvigorate its sagging business and global sales, according to reports.

Following the announcement, shares of the company rose 21 percent, at 17,080 yen ($196), a day after Nintendo said it would develop mobile gaming apps with online gaming firm DeNA Co.

The announcement demonstrates a change in direction in the company as for years, they have been resistant to the idea of bringing its games to small mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in order to not dilute its gaming console business.

"Leveraging the strength of Nintendo's intellectual property (IP) and game development skills in combination with DeNA's world-class expertise in mobile games, both companies will develop and operate new game apps based on Nintendo's IP, including its iconic game characters, for smart devices," the companies said in a statement. "The alliance is intended to complement Nintendo's dedicated video game systems business and extend Nintendo's reach into the vast market of smart device users worldwide."

In a bid to ensure the games for mobile devices work well and render images properly on the smaller screens, only new games will be created, rather than trying to transfer existing games over from Nintendo Wii U home consoles or the Nintendo 3DS portable system, the companies said in the statement.

"In order to create completely new game experiences for smart devices, all Nintendo IP will be eligible for development and exploration by the alliance," Nintendo said.

The news may invigorate the business as Nintendo recently recorded three straight years of operating losses before its last fiscal year, according to a March 17 report by Fortune.