iPad Fails To Impress Nintendo's Leader

Nintendo's top man claims little interest at the moment in both the iPad and 3-D viewable gaming technology in the spirit of James Cameron's "Avatar." In addition to shooting down speculation that Nintendo is exploring a motion sensor for their next portable system and brushing off the importance of 3-D technology to the game industry, he also claimed to be remarkably indifferent to Steve Job's presentation on Wednesday where Apple revealed their new tablet machine.

''It was a bigger iPod Touch,'' Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told The Associated Press. In fact, he didn't see any new features on the iPad's list of specs and downplayed its significance.

"There were no surprises for me,'' Iwata said. As the iPod touch and iPhone have become closer direct competitors for the DS in recent years, it's probably not surprising that Iwata would want to scoff at the iPad, but his take on 3-D gaming was equally as uninspired.

''I have doubts whether people will be wearing glasses to play games at home," he explained. "How is that going to look to other people?''

While Sony is investing big-time in 3-D TV technology, Iwata said he wants to see studies about the effects of two-hour-plus gaming sessions in 3-D and doesn't believe the trend will catch on. Nintendo found big dollars by focusing outside of mainstream trends for the DS and Wii, if other companies put stock in 3-D, you have to wonder what they'll look at instead.

Do you agree with Satoru Iwata's take on the iPad? What about 3-D gaming? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Tags apple, ipad, nintendo