Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimes is a class act

0305_reggie-fils-aime_170x170There are many reason why Reggie is so well-regarded in the gaming community, and that includes both gamer and developer types. His knack for a kick ass quote. His presentation style. His gravitas. This recent interview, over at Forbes, is yet another reason.

To summarize, it’s just a damn good interview.

When presented with arguments about Apple iPhones stealing sales from the DS, he responds with sales numbers, With facts. There’s been no threat, so far, he says, and record growth proves it.

On a new Nintendo console, he slaps the notion aside. “So when people talk about high definition for the Wii console, our feedback is that that by itself will not create a brand new experience. Therefore, we’re not interested. What we have to push for are groundbreaking new experiences. Technology has to enable it, not to be a means all by itself.”

Better still, there will be no Mii clothing microtransactions or “Project Ten Dollar” used games market-screwing programs from Nintendo either. “We don’t think it’s an idea that creates value for the consumer,” he said. When you’re profitable, and people love your software enough to continue to pay full price two years after its release (ahem, Mario Kart, NSMB DS), well, you don’t need to nickel and dime your customers with DLC.

Best of all though is that the interview is nothing but class. No mud slinging here. Through it all, instead of sniping at the competition, or name calling or even bombastic Peter Molyneux exaggerations, he just stays honest: To continue to compete in the gaming industry, one must continue to make quality software. He thinks, unsurprisingly, Nintendo will continue to do this. The top ten (hell, top 50) charts for the past three to four years prove to me he’s probably right.