Nintendo moves into mobile phone market

TOKYO--Nintendo will be taking its first step into the mobile phone content market next month, but gamers shouldn't expect to be playing cell phone Zelda anytime soon.

According to Nikkei Net, the company announced today that it will launch its new subscription service, Nintendo Mobile, on October 17. Nintendo Mobile will pass on offering actual games but will provide subscribers with various game-related content for their mobile phones. The service's initial offerings will include downloadable wallpapers, as well as sound effects from the Super Mario Bros. series (most likely in the form of ringtones).

Nintendo also plans to use its service to release the latest information on its game titles, which should be an effective form of advertisement considering the wide use of mobile phones in Japan. Service charges for Nintendo Mobile will be 210 yen ($1.92) per month.