With E3 still months away, conjecture is still abound surrounding the exact nature of Nintendo's new piece of - which will be unveiled in LA come May. From previous interviews and articles, largely emerging from Japan, we've already heard hints that it will be movement based, backward compatible, and a 'third' piece of hardware, i.e. not a Cube or GBA successor.

Enter President Satoru Iwata, and a new interview in a popular Japanese daily, which is sure to pile further intrigue on Nintendo's forthcoming gizmo. "Over the past twenty years, games have followed a straight path in that has made them more complex and good looking. This law of growth and success is no more. Put frankly, games have stopped selling", commented Iwata, indirectly addressing a question on the nature of the new product.

"We're not expecting everyone to cheer following the announcement. It's okay if ten per cent of the people say the product is 'interesting' and word spreads with people finding themselves wanting to try it." Iwata continued, offering "we want to make a game that returns to the point that anyone can play it. However, our company does not support a product that combines software and hardware into one. The product uses a platform, but it does not fit into the specifications of the current hardware platforms."

More than a little cryptic, I'm sure you'll agree, quite whether this is a game, a new piece of hardware, or both (in some sense) is rather obscure - especially given comments that it does involve existing hardware. Can anyone enlighten us as to what this new offering could be?

By Luke Guttridge