Miyamoto teases a new Nintendo console

Nintendo has groups of people "working on ideas" for a new hardware system to replace the Wii U, Shigeru Miyamoto has teased.

Discussing the unannounced hardware with ABC, Miyamoto explained that Nintendo is still "focused on providing a robust line-up of Wii U software for next year," adding that "for the time being, our focus is on the Wii U hardware, but Nintendo as a whole has groups working on ideas for new hardware systems.

"While we're busy working on software for the Wii U, we have production lines that are working on ideas for what the next system might be."

Wii U launched in November 2012 but has struggled to achieve the same level of success as its predecessor. Figures released in October put Wii U sales at 7.29m units worldwide.

Miyamoto also dropped hints that fans may have to wait until the next hardware generation to see a new Mario game.

"Since we first created Mario, people have compared him to Mickey Mouse," he said. "I've always said Mickey Mouse evolved with each evolution in animation. You saw Mickey Mouse each step of the way. From early on, I wanted Mario to be that character in the digital world, so that with each digital evolution, he was there to usher in the next era.

"I think that maybe when we release the next hardware system, you can look forward to seeing Mario take on a new role or in a new game."