Nintendo System Development

{{Short description|Defunct R&D division of Nintendo}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Nintendo System Development Division

| logo = File:Nintendo SDD logo.png

| image =

| image_caption = The exterior of the Nintendo Development Center in Kyoto, Japan. It houses the Nintendo SDD, EAD, SPD and IRD R&D divisions.

| native_name = 任天堂企画開発本部

| native_name_lang = ja

| romanized_name = Nintendō Kikaku Kaihatsu Honbu

| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Nintendo Network Business & Development|Nintendo Network Service Development|Nintendo Special Planning & Development}}

| type = Division

| fate = Merged with Nintendo Integrated Research & Development

| foundation = {{start date and age|1997}} (as Nintendo Special Planning & Development)

| location = Kyoto, Japan

| defunct = {{End date|2015|09|16}}

| successor = Nintendo Platform Technology Development

| key_people = Masaru Shimomura (General Manager)

| industry = Video games

| products = Nintendo Network services
Various video game titles and peripherals

| num_employees = ≈30{{cite web|script-title=ja:任天堂の新開発棟が始動 ゲーム機、ソフト生む拠点|url=http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/top/article/20140618000032|website=Kyoto NP|publisher=Kyoto NP|access-date=22 June 2014|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618030452/http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/top/article/20140618000032|archive-date=18 June 2014|url-status=dead}}

| parent = Nintendo

| divisions = Network Development & Operations
Software Environment Development

}}

{{Nihongo foot|Nintendo System Development Division,|任天堂企画開発本部|Nintendō Shisutemu Kaihatsu Honbu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} commonly abbreviated as Nintendo SDD and formerly known as Nintendo Network Business & Development (NBD), Nintendo Network Service Development (NSD), and Nintendo Special Planning & Development (SPD), was a division of Nintendo. It was located in the Nintendo Research Institute in Kyoto, Japan, until it moved to the Nintendo Development Center, also in Kyoto. The division consisted of a single development team that focused on software and peripheral development. SDD was composed of two development departments with different duties: the Network Development & Operations Department, which handled Nintendo Network service programming, in cooperation with Nintendo Network Service Database, and the Software Environment Development Department, which developed Software Development Kits (SDKs), among other technologies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamebusiness.jp/article/2015/02/20/10584.html|title=任天堂、現状の開発組織体制は4本部+QOL事業開発本部…大企業病にならない本部同士の連携が重要|website=GameBusiness.jp|language=ja|access-date=2019-01-15}}

On September 16, 2015, SDD merged with Nintendo Integrated Research & Development (IRD), becoming Nintendo Platform Technology Development.{{cite web|last1=Kohler|first1=Chris|title=Nintendo Consolidates Its Game Development Teams|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/09/nintendo-ead-spd-merge/|publisher=Wired|access-date=15 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Rad|first1=Chloi|last2=Otero|first2=Jose|title=Nintendo Reveals Restructuring Plans|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/14/nintendo-reveals-restructuring-plans|publisher=IGN|access-date=15 September 2015}}

History

The Nintendo Special Planning & Development team originated from former Nintendo R&D2 staff, and was mainly responsible for ports and in-house development for low profile hardware, such as the Pokémon Mini and the Super Famicom Satellaview service. Most of the software developed by this group has remained domestic having hardly ever seen release outside Japan. The original general manager, Satoshi Yamato, produced all of the software which included in-house software for the Game Boy Advance, and the e-Reader.N-Sider.com. [http://www.n-sider.com/personnelview.php?personnelid=371 Satoshi Yamato Profile] The group also created mechanical devices and peripherals like the Pokéwalker and Pokémotion. The last general manager, Masaru Shimomura described the Mechanical Design Group as a small creative unit that has a hardware and a software team working jointly together to create innovative products.NOM Magazine. [http://personaltrainerwalking.com/iwata-asks/section-1.html Iwata Asks: Personal Trainer: Walking]

In 2008, Nintendo SPD was renamed to Nintendo Network Service Development, creating the Network Planning Group alongside it. In 2011, the Nintendo NSD development team was consolidated into a division and was renamed to Nintendo Network Business & Development, appointing Masaru Shimomura as manager. Following the change, the Nintendo Network Business Department was created. The department contained two different groups: the former Mechanical Design Group, which was responsible for developing software titles and peripherals, as well the Network Software Development Group, which was responsible for developing Nintendo Network services. In 2012, the Software Environment Development Department was created, which developed Software Development Kits (SDKs), among experimental technologies.

In 2013, the division was renamed to Nintendo System Development Division. Nintendo consolidated the Nintendo Network Business Department into a department named Network Development & Operations Department which was responsible for handling Nintendo Network service programming in cooperation with Nintendo Network Service Database. With the change, the Mechanical Design Group was dissolved.

On September 16, 2015, SDD merged with Nintendo Integrated Research & Development (IRD), becoming the Nintendo Platform Technology Development.

Network Operations & Development Department

Deputy Manager: Kiyoshi Mizuki

The Network Operations & Development Department was responsible for developing Nintendo Network services, in cooperation with the Nintendo Network Service Database. The department had the Network Software Development Group.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:100%;"

|+ List of software and online infrastructures developed by Nintendo SDD Network Operations & Development Department

style="width:26%;"| Title

! style="width:20%;"| Type(s)

! style="width:10%;"| Platform(s)

! style="width:5%;" | {{Abbr|Year|Year of first release date.}}

! style="width:13%;"| Producer(s)

! style="width:13%;"| Director(s)

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Wii Shop Channel

| Online distribution

| Wii

| 2006

| Masaru Shimomura

| Kiyoshi Mizuki

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Channel

| Online distribution

| Wii

| 2006

| Masaru Shimomura

| Kiyoshi Mizuki

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo DSi Shop

| Online distribution

| Nintendo DSi

| 2008

| Masaru Shimomura

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Zone

| Network interface

| Nintendo DS
Nintendo DSi

| 2009

| Masaru Shimomura

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Friend List

| Friends list

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Masaru Shimomura

| Kiyoshi Mizuki

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| StreetPass

| Network interface

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Masaru Shimomura

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo eShopNintendo. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/eshop/0/0 Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS: Nintendo eShop]

| Online distribution

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Masaru Shimomura

| Kazuto Nakaya

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Video

| Video player

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Masaru Shimomura

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Zone

| Network interface

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Masaru Shimomura

| Fumihiko Tamiya

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| SwapnoteNintendo. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/swapnote/0/0 Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS: Swapnote]
Nintendo Letter Box PAL

| Messaging

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

| Kiyoshi Mizuki
Masaru Shimomura

| Daiji Imai

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| WaraWara Plaza{{refn|Co-developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD) and Nintendo Software Planning & Development (SPD).|name="Nintendo EAD SPD"|group=co-developed}}

| Operating system (Miiverse)

| Wii U

| 2012

| Kiyoshi Mizuki
Katsuya Eguchi (Nintendo EAD)
Kouichi Kawamoto (Nintendo SPD)

| Hisashi Nogami (Nintendo EAD)

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Miiverse{{refn|Co-developed by Hatena, Nintendo Network Service Database (NSD) and Denyusha.|name="Miiverse"|group=co-developed}}Nintendo. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wiiu/miiverse/0/0 Iwata Asks: Wii U: Miiverse]

| Social network

| Wii U

| 2012

| Kiyoshi Mizuki
Junya Kondo (Hatena)
Yusuke Beppu (Nintendo NSD)

| Hideto Yuzawa
Yoshiomi Kurisu (Hatena)

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Network ID

|

| Wii U

| 2012

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Wii U Chat{{refn|Co-developed by Nintendo European Research & Development (NERD), Nintendo Technology Development (NTD) and Vidyo.|name="Wii U Chat"|group=co-developed}}

| Online chat

| Wii U

| 2012

|

| Fumihiko Tamiya

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo eShop

| Online distribution

| Wii U

| 2012

| Kiyoshi Mizuki

| Kazuto Nakaya

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Miiverse{{refn|name="Miiverse"|group=co-developed}}

| Social network

| Web browser

| 2013

| Kiyoshi Mizuki
Junya Kondo (Hatena)
Yusuke Beppu (Nintendo NSD)

| Hideto Yuzawa
Yoshiomi Kurisu (Hatena)

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| StreetPass RelayNintendo. [http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/streetpass-relay-points/0/0 Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS: StreetPass Relay Points]

| Network interface

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2013

| Kiyoshi Mizuki

| Masatoshi Yamazaki

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Miiverse{{refn|name="Miiverse"|group=co-developed}}

| Social network

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2013

| Kiyoshi Mizuki
Junya Kondo (Hatena)
Yusuke Beppu (Nintendo NSD)

| Hideto Yuzawa
Yoshiomi Kurisu (Hatena)

;Notes:

{{reflist|40em|group=co-developed}}

Software Environment Development Department

Deputy Manager/Producer: Takeshi Shimada

The Software Environment Development Department was responsible for developing online communication infrastructures and middleware tools. The department had the Application Group.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:100%;"

|+ List of online infrastructures developed by Nintendo SDD Software Environment Development Department

style="width:26%;"| Title

! style="width:20%;"| Genre(s)

! style="width:10%;"| Platform(s)

! style="width:5%;" | {{Abbr|Year|Year of first release date.}}

! style="width:13%;"| Producer(s)

! style="width:13%;"| Director(s)

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| WiiConnect24

|

| Wii

| 2006

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Wii system software

|

| Wii

| 2006

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo DSi Browser

|

| Nintendo DSi

| 2009

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Download Play

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo eShop

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Mario Kart 7

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2011

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Kid Icarus: Uprising

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2012

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Nintendo Land

|

| Wii U

| 2012

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| StreetPass Relay

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2013

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Tomodachi Life

|

| Nintendo 3DS

| 2013

|

|

style="text-align:center;"

! scope="row"| Mario Kart 8

|

| Wii U

| 2014

|

|

= Mechanical Design Group =

The Mechanical Design Group was responsible for developing software titles and peripherals for Nintendo video game consoles, until it was dissolved in 2013.

class="wikitable" width="90%"
Title

! Year

! Platform(s)

! Director

! Producer

align="left" | Satellaview

| align="center" | 1995

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" | Masaru Shimomura

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | BS Super Mario USA Power Challenge

| align="center" | 1996

| align="center" | Satellaview

| align="center" | Toshiaki Suzuki

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | BS Marvelous Time Athletics

| align="center" | 1996

| align="center" | Satellaview

| align="center" | Eiji Aonuma

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | BS Marvelous Camp Arnold

| align="center" | 1996

| align="center" | Satellaview

| align="center" | Yoshinori Tsuchiyama

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Nintendo Power (cartridge)

| align="center" | 1996

| align="center" | SNES
GB

| align="center" |

| align="center" |

align="left" | BS F-Zero Grand Prix

| align="center" | 1997

| align="center" | Satellaview

| align="center" | Toshiaki Suzuki

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Excitebike: Super Mario Cup Battle

| align="center" | 1997

| align="center" | Satellaview

| align="center" | Yoshinori Tsuchiyama

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémon Pikachu

| align="center" | 1998

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" |

| align="center" |

align="left" | Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS

| align="center" | 1999

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" |

| align="center" |

align="left" | Poket Hello Kitty

| align="center" | 1999

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" |

| align="center" |

align="left" | Mobile Adapter GB

| align="center" | 2001

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" | Masaru Shimomura

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémon Party Mini

| align="center" | 2001

| align="center" | Pokémon Mini

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémon Pinball Mini

| align="center" | 2001

| align="center" | Pokémon Mini

| align="center" | Yoshikazu Mori

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Sakura Momoko no Ukiuki Carnival

| align="center" | 2002

| align="center" | GBA

| align="center" | Toru Osawa

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémon Race Mini

| align="center" | 2002

| align="center" | Pokémon Mini

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémon Shock Tetris

| align="center" | 2002

| align="center" | Pokémon Mini

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Pokémotion

| align="center" | 2003

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Mario Party-e

| align="center" | 2002

| align="center" | e-Reader

| align="center" | Toru Osawa

| align="center" | Satoshi Yamato

align="left" | Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter

| align="center" | 2004

| align="center" | GBA

| align="center" |

| align="center" |

align="left" | Slide Adventure MAGKID

| align="center" | 2007

| align="center" | NDS

| align="center" | Kazunobu Shimizu

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

align="left" | Personal Trainer: Walking

| align="center" | 2008

| align="center" | NDS

| align="center" | Naoya Morimura

| align="center" | Shinya Kawada

align="left" | Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat?

| align="center" | 2008

| align="center" | NDS

| align="center" | Hirotaka Watanabe

| align="center" | Yoshinori Tsuchiyama

align="left" | Pokéwalker

| align="center" | 2009

| align="center" | Hardware

| align="center" | Masaru Shimomura

| align="center" | Junichi Masuda
Hitoshi Yamagami

Discography CreditsN-Sider.com. [http://www.n-sider.com/games.php N-Sider Database]

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References