Nintendo’s Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing will be free on Android, iOS

There was a time when Satoru Iwata sternly resisted the idea of Nintendo’s games running on mobile phones, but that era is clearly passed.

While the great man rests, Nintendo’s planning its two next major mobile releases to Android and iOS, and good news, they’ll both be free to play according to the WSJ.

Both Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing — two of Nintendo’s biggest franchises — will head to mobile platforms later this year. Although we don’t have a confirmed date, these titles will be the next releases after the company’s social network-cum-mobile game Miitomo launched earlier this year.

As they’re freemium titles, we can expect Nintendo to pack a fair few ways to spend currency in-game, but will that ruin the experience of the titles? That waits to be seen.

Additionally, what does this mean for both of these game series on Nintendo’s handheld platforms? Let us know what you think in the comments below.