Nintendo pushed for Saints Row 3DS

Despite long-standing doubts about the viability of mature games on the DS, it has emerged that Nintendo itself was the driving force behind the scheduling of a Saints Row title for its DS successor, the 3DS.

Speaking in an interview with Industry Gamers, THQ’s core games VP Danny Bilson stated: Nintendo really wants to launch with a very balanced portfolio. They really don’t want it to feel like a kiddie platform. They were very clear: they really wanted Saints Row on it.

I believe it will do great, especially if Nintendo is going to go mature and really do a big mature campaign on it. It’s a killer game.”

The failure of critically acclaimed IP such as Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars to match its reception with strong sales on DS has seen many publishers back away from Nintendo’s platform. Indeed, Sega – the publisher behind titles such as MadWorld and The Conduit – has all but given up on releasing mature titles on Nintendo machines.

However, the 3DS does seem to signify a change of tact for Nintendo. It’s E3 2010 presentation was clearly aimed very much at the company’s core games audience.

And take a look at some of the titles confirmed for the 3DS – Resident Evil, Street Fighter IV, Metal Gear Solid, Dead or Alive, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell.