Iwata reveals motive for Project Café

Nintendo is getting ready to introduce a new home console because its current hardware has lost the power to surprise, CEO Satoru Iwata has revealed.

Speaking at a press conference in Japan earlier today in which he confirmed that a new system was in development, Iwata said (as translated by Andriasang), "It became difficult for developers to surprise customers with the current Wii."

During the presentation Iwata also offered further clarification as to when the new console, thought to be codenamed Project Café, will hit the shelves.

Noting that Nintendo had not included sales of the Wii's successor in its forecast for the current fiscal year, which ends on 31st March 2012, Iwata confirmed that the system would not launch until after April 2012.

There's still no official word as to what the new platform might offer, but Digital Foundry has been picking through the rumours in search of answers.