Nintendo invests in Matrix Semiconductor

[Great Rumbler]

Matrix Semiconductor usually creates commercial 3D integrated circuits. Saying that they recognize Nintendo's "dominant" position in electronic entertainment, they state how fortunate they are to have them as investors. Nintendo has interest in Matrix's "Matrix 3-D Memory" for use in portable electronics. It helps in the programming, flexibility, and cost of games such as those for the GBA.

"The portable and mobile device markets are expanding rapidly. Matrix's cost and density advantages over existing technologies support the memory requirements of our portable video game machine, Game Boy Advance," says Yasuhiro Minagawa, Manager of Public Relations Section at Nintendo's headquarters in Japan. "We believe Matrix's technology will help us to make our exciting game titles more efficiently."

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Feb. 24, 2003--Matrix Semiconductor -- the first company to commercialize low-cost, high-density 3-D integrated circuits -- today announced that Nintendo has invested $15 million in the Company. This financing brings the total raised by Matrix to $95 million.

"Matrix has always focused on securing relationships with the world's leading consumer electronics companies. These relationships provide countless benefits to the Company in addition to dollars," says Dan Steere, Vice President of Marketing for Matrix Semiconductor. "We recognize Nintendo's dominant position in electronic entertainment and feel very fortunate to have them as an investor in Matrix."

Matrix's first product -- Matrix 3-D Memory -- is a low-cost, high-density, non-volatile memory technology specifically designed for use in portable electronics. For developers of content such as games, Matrix 3-D Memory is field programmable, enabling programming flexibility and greatly reducing inventory complexity and costs.

Nintendo will probably inplement these semiconductors in the succesor to the GBA/GBA-SP.

Nintendophiles

[OB1]

Which will be out next year! :D

[The Former DMiller]

You sourced N-Philes twice! You are indeed the coolest member of Tendo City GR. :D

[geoboy]

Are they talking about memory as in the Gameboy's system memory or memory as in cartridges, flash memory, and the like? I'm pretty sure it's the former, but now I wonder what type of medium the next Gameboy will use.