Nintendo shares reach record high as Wii launch nears

WiiFTW!

And this time, I even refuse to apologize for that.

Not going to post the price of Sony's shares? You know, just for fun.

Why is there a pic of Stu Ungar? Are you forecasting a spectacular fall from grace?

"Will the console meet mass expectations?"

I think in many ways it has already. So far I've only spent a total of maybe 20 minutes with the Wii (about 10 minutes at DigitalLife, 10 at the Nintendo store) and I'm excited to pick up my pre-order at the Nintendo store this weekend. I think it's hard for even the most jaded gamer—and I find most gamers today are—to admit the Wii isn't a lot of fun to play.

Okay Kodec, just for you:

I'll use local securities, no ADR's in this instance.

Sony
Ticker: 6758 JP
Current Price: 4710 Yen
Y-T-D Change: -2.28%

Microsoft
Ticker: MSFT
Current Price: 29.25 USD (Market still open)
Y-T-D Change: +11.85%

Nintendo
Ticker: 7974 JP
Current Price: 26750 Yen
Y-T-D Change: +87.72% (That's not a typo)

(Source: Bloomberg)

Remember this is not an apples-to-apples comparison as Sony and Microsoft have many other divisions. The news is really an indicator that investors (who typically rely on analyst predictions) are feeling good about Nintendo's business model and short- to long-term prospects. The only 'winners' in the article are people who are holding Nintendo shares. This has nothing to do with which company is 'best'.

""Will the console meet mass expectations?""
"I think in many ways it has already."

I'll be glad when these consoles launch so we can get back to reality.

I like Nintendo and I think it would be hilarious to see Sony fall on its face after all the blunders it has made, but Nintendo hasn't proven a single thing yet. That opportunity doesn't present itself until the system is in stores.

I still think this is great news for Nintendo gamers. It's only natural that if Nintendo is your favorite video game company, you want that company to be strong and healthy.

For a comparison, I remember many years ago, when Steve Jobs first came back to Apple, he did a lot of reorganizing and killed off many unprofitable divisions like Newton, etc. While it didn't make them sell any more Macs, Mac users felt great that their company was back in the black.

"...Nintendo hasn't proven a single thing yet."

Definitely true. I am actually getting a little aprehensive to go out and purchase a console on the day of launch. According to recent game reviews on IGN, which havent granted any game above a 8.5/10 yet (Wii Sports, Super Monkey Ball, Excite Truck), I wonder exactly how far this "revolutionary" way of gameplay can really carry gamers.

The sheer number of launch titles is nice, but it doesnt present us with a darn thing but more to buy. Revolutionary gameplay mechanices dont mean a thing unless its got a great game to utilize them (Mario, where are you?).

My point is, revolutionary control does not equate to revolutionary games -- which we have seen none of yet.

Simply put, I'm drunk on so much hype for BOTH the wii and ps3 that I can't even have a decent perspective anymore.
BUT i know what i can afford.(I still probly nix the ps3 even if i was rich. why not just get the 360. Like it or not fanboys that piddly bunch of exclusives for sony does NOT make it a must have. Besides I'd bet money that Metal Gear comes out on the 360.)

This might be a little off topic, but no one has ever said anything(that i've seen) about the public not being ready for next gen yet. Look at how the ps2 still jams sales. Maybe I'm wrong but I think things are happening a little early. They shoulda waited a few years.

26,770 yen is $27, not $227

@ #10

uh no, 100 yen is give or take, close to being worth a dollar, not 1000 yen

"...Nintendo hasn't proven a single thing yet."

It's proven that it has HIGH demand for its product and will have probably 5x the sales of the PS3 in its first year, which translates into considerable developer support.

Wii ALL win on this one.

26770 Japanese yen = 227.442651 U.S. dollars

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=convert+26770+yen+to+USD&btnG=Google+Search

The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 118.034 JPY so actually yes it is $227.

Kakaman the conversion is 1 USD = 118.021 JPY.
It is roughly $227.

Whosmav - I think you're right, I think for any next-gen system, the PS2 is the system to beat.

I don't think most mainstream PS2 gamers will abandon their PS2 for the promise of updated graphics or fancy new controllers. And given the "format war" and since most people don't have an HDTV anyway, a cheap Blu-Ray or HDDVD player isn't much of an incentive either.

However, I think they will pick up a new system if they can get new and exciting games that are unavailable for their existing system.

#11 Saneless - just to add to your point, development costs for the Wii are dramatically lower, which I think will be Nintendo's "ace in the hole", similar to DS vs. PSP

You think this has anything to do w/ it?

http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2006/11/100_reasons_to.html

Chicks really do love this thing. A whole new market emerges. Nice.
Gonna get mine at 12:01 on sunday morning. wooo!

@ elroy

Can I get back to you on the "revolutionary" thing? I'm looking forward to Zelda and Tony Hawk actually. Just as an example of my current outlook of the next gen, I've played Tony hawk games in the past and loved them. But Project 8 looked more of the same after playing too many TH games already. Pass. I have no desire. Then came Downhill Jam. Caution. Another TH? hmmm not sure about this one. Played it on DS....wow, it's pretty damn good. Played it online.....Whoa.....it's HOT! Now I'm looking forward to the Wii version. Project 8...ehhh, still a pass. It looks better but...looks like more of the same to me. I'll take my chances with the Wii.

I'll be back here after a few hours with the Wii on the 19th to compare notes with the rest of the early adopter brethen.

FUCK!

I missed out.
GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

I shoulda put my money where my mouth was long ago.
Well it's still not too late.
Time to find a broker.

John Lucas

HEEEEEELLLLSSS YEAHHHHH! MAKE MONEY MONEY MAKE MONEY MONEY MONEEEEYY!!!!

I heard Gamestop is going to do more Wii Pre-Orders. Check out their Wii Sign Up Page on gamestop.com. Here's the link for those that still need a pre-order. http://www.gamestop.com/gs/wii/wii_signup.asp

Nintendo is doin great and the wii will be awsome also. I just wish there didn't have to be a consle "war"....i wish microsoft and nintendo could be freinds...sony can die in there own debts...haha
Peace and love to all nintendo fans..peace out all

Mr. bob,

The consumers needs competition in the games industry, it helps create fresh ideas and quality that can give an advatage against competitors. I don't want poor monopoly quality products, as no1 does console wars will and must happen. Nintendo would not have bothered to use inovative motion controls without competition. Sony wouldn't have bothered either if Nintendo was not in business.

you get my point?

Well, if 26770 yen is $227, then Nintendo is not trading for 26770 yen. I should know because I bought Nintendo stock last year for $17 per share, and now it's worth $27 per share. >:P

Nintendo is definitely not worth $227 per share. (I wish it was!)

"24. Mr. bob,

The consumers needs competition in the games industry, it helps create fresh ideas and quality that can give an advatage against competitors. I don't want poor monopoly quality products, as no1 does console wars will and must happen. Nintendo would not have bothered to use inovative motion controls without competition. Sony wouldn't have bothered either if Nintendo was not in business.

you get my point?"

Thats funny, the majority of Sony fans seem to want Nintendo to die. Or "become solely a software manufacturer". So obviously your peers share a different view on how things go, lol. Thats right, Nintendo can go the way of Sega (or even Atari), but heaven forbid Sony ends up like that, "THINK OF THE LOSS OF COMPITITION A DUR DUR HUR DUR"

Kakaman,

I believe you are quoting the ADR price, or American Depository Receipt. If you do not live in Japan or have a custody account there, you can't 'own' shares of foreign company. So what happens is an ADR or GDR is created and issued in U.S. In your case, I expect you hold ticker NTDOY.

It's not always one ADR share for one local share of stock. Without having market access yet this morning, I would imagine that for every ten ADR's you own, you own 1 LOCAL share of Nintendo. That's why you per unit price of NTDOY is around $27 right now.

Greathouse,

That makes sense, now. Thanks. And it's a good thing, because I couldn't have afforded to buy it if it wasn't available for $17. (Since this conversation started yesterday it's at $28.)

I'll be using the profits to buy my wii. The only question is when to sell? It just keeps going up and up. :)