The software powerhouse’s head honcho would like to buy Nintendo.
Members of the online community are in a frenzy over a half-rumor sparking images of Nintendo and Microsoft holding hands. German magazine Wirtschaftswoche reports that Mr. Gates would buy out Nintendo in a heartbeat, were Hiroshi Yamauchi willing to sell his majority stock in the company.
Bill Gates' expressed interest in Nintendo is nothing to get excited about, however. A few years ago, before the official Xbox unveiling, the industry ran rampant with rumors of Microsoft trying to buy out Nintendo or Sega. Microsoft is serious about the home console gaming industry, and although the Xbox has been fairly successful in the marketplace, the corporation is always looking to further improve its standing. Microsoft has a long history of purchasing smaller companies—who better to absorb than a profitable company specialized in that market?
Bill Gates' statement should be taken as wishful thinking; it goes against Yamauchi’s strong-fisted, traditional Japanese business methods to sell his stock to American competition.
Oh, and the loss of respect/support of Japanese developers for Nintendo... 
