No release for Nintendo's iQue outside China

Nintendo has stated that it has no plans to release the iQue console, a secured system with strong anti-piracy measures which it announced earlier this month, outside of the Chinese marketplace.

The device attracted significant interest when it was announced several weeks ago, as it offers playback of a catalogue of older Nintendo games in a cheap, controller-shaped device that connects directly to a television. Games are purchased by loading them onto a memory card at kiosks in selected retail outlets.

However, a spokesperson for the Kyoto-based company scotched any talk of the device being released more widely, stating that Nintendo has no plans to offer the system outside of China - fearful, perhaps, that it would interfere with the marketing of the GameCube and Game Boy Advance platforms.

iQue is a brave move into the piracy-plagued Chinese market - but Nintendo isn't the only console platform holder with designs on China, which could become one of the most important marketplaces for games in the coming decade. Sony also plans to release its PSone and PS2 consoles in China this year, having reaffirmed its commitment to do so after a Chinese newspaper recently reported that the release dates for both consoles had been pushed back to 2004.