In 2015, Nintendo formed a strategic alliance with mobile app company DeNA to make smartphone apps featuring Nintendo’s IP such as Mario and Animal Crossing. This strategic alliance included acquiring a 10% stake in DeNA.

Fast forward to 2017, and Nintendo is now thinking of working with more companies to strengthen their mobile portfolio. According to Wall Street Journal, the initial plan was for both Nintendo and DeNA to release 5 mobile titles by March 2017, however only 4 have been released up till today. By potentially working with other companies (albeit without taking up a stake in them), Nintendo hopes to increase the pace of mobile releases.

One of the companies sources close to Nintendo claimed they have spoken to is GungHo, developers of the popular Puzzle & Dragons franchise. In fact, GungHo is planning to bring more titles to the Switch and has previously released a Mario themed Puzzle & Dragons game on 3DS. GungHo has denied that talks with Nintendo took place.