Nintendo: 'Retail is still important'

Nintendo of America has described digital downloads as just 'added business' to the main revenue stream of retail sales.

Speaking to VentureBeat, chief executive Reggie Fils-Aime stressed the company's commitment to selling boxed products through retail channels.

He described digital downloads as a "nice added business model" but insisted that it is "not something that's going to take over retail game sales".

Fils-Aime pointed out that "there will always be those opportunities for big, in-depth games on retail products".

The Nintendo chief also stressed his belief that digital capabilities contained in the new DSi console will not affect the importance of the boxed product.