Interview:Telegraph May 5th 2011

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Shigeru Miyamoto is staring intently at his 3DS, looking comfortable and relaxed in a black jacket and Legend of Zelda t-shirt. One may think that playing around with a video game console while a handful of journalists sit waiting to interview you would be impolite, but the truth is, we're all doing the same thing, trying to exchange our cartoon selves using the 3DS's StreetPass feature, a form of wireless communication that recognises and connects to other 3DS consoles.

"Oh!" Miyamoto exclaims, smiling broadly, "A Pikmin hat!" One of our Mii avatars has arrived on Miyamoto's console, complete with fetching blue headgear. As we trade our Miis, Miyamoto is positively beaming. A bright, childlike glee from a man many regard as the 'father of videogames' (Miyamoto's official title is the typically humble "General Manager of Entertainment, Analysis and Development"). It's remarkable to see such enthusiasm shining through after 30 years of making video games, and it's clear Miyamoto's passion is undimmed.

However, Mr. Miyamoto and Nintendo haven't had it all their own way in recent months. Sales of Nintendo's home console Wii have plateaued, their profits have slumped to a seven year low, and the release of their newest handheld --the 3DS-- hasn't been plain sailing.

"We've had a very good start with the 3DS, but it's not completely widespread yet," admits Miyamoto. "One of our pet peeves is how do you convey the message? Because one has to play the 3DS to experience the 3D. I guess it depends on you guys!"

Miyamoto jokes on the influence of the media, but not all coverage has been positive about the 3DS's marquee feature. Many reports have suggested the visual trickery can give you headaches, while Nintendo also must weather the storm from the massively expanding, cheap and accessible smartphone gaming market.

Miyamoto naturally insists the 3DS's strengths do not stop at the 3D display, however, citing features such as StreetPass, alternate reality capabilities and the 3DS's in-built gyro sensor that offers advanced tilt-based motion control. But while Miyamoto is keen on championing the in-built features of the hardware, he says it's now time for the games to do the talking. "We spent a lot of time developing 3DS, whether its games or other software," Miyamoto explains. "But from now we will be focussing more on gaming, we want to release lots of games this year."

One of the criticisms aimed at the 3DS so far is that the early software library lacks that 'killer app', the one game to persuade consumers to invest. Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition is probably the pick of a solid but unspectacular bunch, but even that is a port of a home console title. Nintendo themselves are hoping to redress the balance, starting with submarine simulation Steel Diver, a pet project of Miyamoto's that comes to shore this Friday. Steel Diver has players piloting different types of submarine through tricky underwater courses using the touchscreen, while there is also a periscope minigame which uses the gyro-sensor to aim missiles at enemy ships. "Use an office chair," grins Miyamoto. "Sit on it and spin round to aim with the gyro sensor – it's the ideal way to play!"

But while Steel Diver makes neat use of the 3DS, it's a short, sweet and simple offering. So in order to provide the sweeping adventures to ensnare new players, Nintendo is relying on its heritage. Remakes of N64 titles Starfox and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be arriving for 3DS in the summer. Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as the finest video game ever created, and Miyamoto is hoping to bring that magic to a new audience. "After 13 years," Miyamoto says, suddenly making me feel very old, "there will be the children of today who haven't experienced Ocarina of Time, it’s brand new for them. But for fans of the original, it's a very faithful adaption." Ocarina's gameplay is timeless, and the extremely pretty 3D makeover, together with touchscreen item selection and gyro-sensor aiming, should win it a legion of new fans.

However, it's an understandable concern that Nintendo are perhaps relying on their legacy a little too much. Remaking classics when they should be focussing on new ideas, particularly for a new console. Some of these worries could possibly be addressed when the 3DS Shop finally becomes available. Strangely absent since the console's release in March, the online shop could provide quirky uses of the 3DS's hardware. "Personally speaking, I think you need specific, meaningful software for the 3DS." says Miyamoto of the shop, shortly available via an online update. "If it is a downloadable game, you don’t have to change the game card so we would like to create games that are always there with you – the sort of game that uses StreetPass, perhaps." While it's unlikely Nintendo will be providing some of the cheaper, quick fire experiences that appear on smartphones, Miyamoto says that Nintendo are not looking to impose restrictions on third parties.

Through all of this, however, it's Nintendo's ebullient mascot Mario that still manages to command the most attention. Nintendo are aiming to release Super Mario 3D this year, an all new adventure for the world's favourite plumber. Miyamoto makes the mouthwatering comment that Super Mario 3D is a mix of Super Mario 64 and the more recent Super Mario Galaxy. Super Mario 64 managed to define its host console, while the Galaxy titles are the finest games the Wii has to offer. No doubt Nintendo are hoping that Mario can work similar magic for the 3DS. While Miyamoto says there are currently no plans for StreetPass functionality "unless a spectacular idea comes to mind," this new Super Mario will hopefully make practical use of the 3D effect. "For example, with floating platforms it can be really difficult to judge the distance," Miyamoto explains. "But the depth in the 3D helps you evaluate those tricky jumps."

Super Mario 3D will also make use of the gyro-sensor, and Miyamoto gives an insight into the design of the console itself. "Sometimes people ask why the 3DS isn’t double stick," says Miyamoto. "One is normally used to control the camera, but having the gyro sensor you can replace the analogue stick by moving the console, which is very intuitive."

With future plans for the handheld 3DS clearly at full throttle, conversation inevitably turns to Nintendo's next home console. Last week, Nintendo released a statement saying they will be unveiling the Wii's successor at E3 next month. "Please be patient!" laughs Miyamoto when pressed for details. "Even when the Wii launched, we were developing new hardware. The creation of devices is quite speedy nowadays, and we're always working on new ideas."

But with the revolutionary Wii proving such mainstream success, how do Nintendo ensure that lightning strikes twice? "There’s definitely space for uniqueness in a home console," says Miyamoto. "As you know the Wii is family orientated, played in the living room of the household. We’re hoping to evolve that, there’s a variety of options we can think of."

With Miyamoto overseeing the creative side of Nintendo, it's hard to bet against the House of Mario continuing to unleash a surprise, even in the face of staunch competition. "With the more advanced devices, game design is currently at a high level," says Miyamoto. "Nowadays I think it’s really important that designers are really unique and individual. It’s costly if you are focussing on similar ideas, so that uniqueness is important. You can get more budget for games, but your energy must be focussed, otherwise it won’t last."

And Miyamoto's personal mantra in this age of bigger equals better? "Don't focus on how many stages it's got. Tell me if you’ve seen it before. That’s the challenge for me."