If you've been following our
Japanese hardware sales series, or caught last month's
NPD report, or have a pulse and leave the house, you've no doubt heard that Nintendo's DS and Wii consoles are ... well, they're sort of a big deal. How big a deal? The pair are responsible for Nintendo's "
record high" fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2007. The stats:
- consolidated fiscal year revenues of ¥966.5 billion, a 90% increase
- operating profits of ¥226.0 billion, a 150% increase
- 23 million Nintendo DS consoles last year, lifetime sales of 40 million
- 5.84 million Wii consoles in less than five months, "nearly" 29 million Wii games
Now for the projections for the fiscal year which began April 1, 2007:
- consolidated sales increasing nearly 18% to ¥1.14 trillion
- operating profits growing nearly 20% to ¥270 billion
- 22 million Nintendo DS systems and 130 million games
- 14 million Wii systems and 55 million games worldwide (will that be enough?)
Not quite the mom 'n pop outfit, are they? We're gonna need a "THEY PRINT MONEY!!!" graphic for these sort of things going forward.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Karmakin @ Apr 26th 2007 10:50AM
Will that be enough? Frankly, I doubt it.
The Wii is probably going to be the hot "it" thing this holiday season as well.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 26th 2007 10:51AM
So... this tell you something sheppy??
Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 10:52AM
Cool beans.
Dolla Dolla @ Apr 26th 2007 10:54AM
14 million by NEXT March?
Ah, f*ck. 2009 shortage, indeed.
eon @ Apr 26th 2007 10:54AM
I'm glad Nintendo is performing so well. Nothing like a good three way race to push prices down and quality up. Although I have no desire to pick up a Wii (I liked my XBOX and PS2 more than the Gamecube) I'm glad Nintendo is bringing non-gamers into the market.
Foil_Goon @ Apr 26th 2007 10:54AM
"Not quite the mom 'n pop outfit, are they? We're gonna need a "THEY PRINT MONEY!!!" graphic for these sort of things going forward."
I really hate when gaming journalists use terms like this for any of the big 3 out right now. They are all huge profit machines, there is nothing mom and pop about it.
Nintendo makes the biggest premium on consoles plus they have the highest 1st party game purchasing rate. How is the mom & pop?
Before anyone calls me a fanboy, Microsoft tests software on people that pay for it and Sony is one of the heads of the RIAA. None of them are mom and pop, people need to stop thinking of them like that.
Dolla Dolla @ Apr 26th 2007 10:56AM
Oh wait ... 14 MORE million duct-taped to the 5.84 already? That's a bit better.
C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 11:04AM
Foil_Goon: Uh, that's our point. (?!). Try reading that sentence over again. The point is, fans treat Nintendo like "the little guy," the underdog, while Sony and Microsoft are the big guys. The reality is, they're all giant, huge, multinational corporations.
Hirsbrunner @ Apr 26th 2007 11:05AM
Great news for Nintendo, and great news for gamers! I hope it continues.
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 11:07AM
Very ugly pic!
gabe @ Apr 26th 2007 11:09AM
i love all three companies but i have owned stock in nintendo since september and its already gone up a little over fifty percent for my return. considering how much was put it, i get paid to play video games. :)
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 11:14AM
Congrats to Nintendo.
They found a way to sell dated technology in the form of new.
Auto industy: Lets keep the same guts(engine, chasis, trans) that are in the '05 models and just tweak the body a little bit and sell the '06 models as if it was new.
James @ Apr 26th 2007 11:16AM
That pic is awesome. So funny. I didn't read the article though.
thispaceforsale @ Apr 26th 2007 11:17AM
Pretty sure the mom and pop crack was simply a joke
14 million in year 2 is still quite high for a console, but I agree it probably will not meet demand
for comparison the ps2:
8 million worldwide year 2
18 million worldwide year 3
Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 11:22AM
@Jack of No Trades
Car manufacturers do this all the time and it works for them, so get over it already.
jesse @ Apr 26th 2007 11:25AM
Despite a year 2 projection that would nearly double playstation 2 sales figures, I don't think it will keep up with demand.
And, despite doubling PS2 sales figures, people will still bitch about how Nintendo isn't producing many Wiis and how it should be "so easy" to produce a half million a month, without realizing Nintendo would be pumping out well over a million a month at that point.
fightinfilipino @ Apr 26th 2007 11:27AM
t Jack of Ass Trades:
oddly enough, the Wii *is* pushing technology further. aside from the Wiimote, which in itself is an amazingly compact bit of tech, the Wii itself is one of the most efficient, well-designed pieces of non-bloatware around.
compare this to the OMG HUEG XBox 360 (which sounds like an airplane and consumes just as much electricity) and the PS3, which is SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS, and you can see that the Wii is pushing tech, just for more efficiency and less "SUV syndrome".
traaw @ Apr 26th 2007 11:29AM
"They are all huge profit machines"
I believe nintendo is the only company showing a profit at this point. microsoft is still yet to recoever costs on the Xbox and Sony is showing record losses. I think you meant to say revenue machines.
Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 11:30AM
God I love that picture; it makes me laugh EVERY time. It never gets old.
The Wii isn't exactly my cup o tea, though I do own one, but I am very happy to see it doing well. It really does work at entertaining my non-gamer visitors. It will help expand the industry.
JodyAnthony @ Apr 26th 2007 11:31AM
normally you're on the ball jack, but this comment was ridiculous flamebait.
Markusdragon @ Apr 26th 2007 11:34AM
It couldn't have happened to a more deserving company. They took risks and profited heavily from them.
Now lets hope they invest in some deals with some nice little independent developers to bring us all out of sequelsville for a while!
Icarus @ Apr 26th 2007 11:34AM
@Jack of No Trades
It would be nice to deform your fingers so that I wouldn't have to see your hate for Nintendo in every thread on Joystiq. You are childish and angry.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 11:35AM
"2. So... this tell you something sheppy??
Posted at 10:51AM on Apr 26th 2007 by Fernando Rocker"
How shall I begin? I'd say by the fact that I was mentioned before I even showed up, you're beginning to develop an obsession with me. Perhaps, since the police took away the priest who touched you in that special spot, you've been feeling lonely and needing someone to attach yourself to. However, I'm not gay and I will not touch in you that special spot to make you feel better. Sorry to disappoint but even as an artist, I have lines I will not cross. I'd also say this means Nintendo is doing well. Good for them, let's all clap. Of course this also means they should be able to do more animation for the next Pokemon game considering their fucking rolling in it. I find it ironic that Golden Sun, an RPG out of nowhere, features more animation cycles than the latest Pokemon game.
But mostly, I'd say I made a good choice when I bought my Wii. In fact, here's my collection.
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/sheppyboy2000/game%20collection/
More particularly, notice what's above the TV, next to the cable modem and copies of Samurai 7?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/sheppyboy2000/game%20collection/gamecollection4.jpg
Unit @ Apr 26th 2007 11:38AM
Hey jack of no trades, check this out:
hmmm, now doesn't that sound fimiliar.......
traaw @ Apr 26th 2007 11:38AM
word
Unit @ Apr 26th 2007 11:39AM
24. Hey jack of no trades, check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSX_%28DVR%29
hmmm, now doesn't that sound fimiliar.......
vidGuy @ Apr 26th 2007 11:42AM
For "dated technology" the Wii is a hell of a lot of fun. And I doubt 14 million will be enough to even stock the shelves consistently by next year. For those keeping tracking, that will put the Wii, in just over a year's time, close to the total sales of the GameCube.
Zertoss @ Apr 26th 2007 11:44AM
"More particularly, notice what's above the TV, next to the cable modem and copies of Samurai 7?"
A cable modem? :P
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 11:47AM
@unit
lol
@Icarus
You are too serious, loosen up your bra.
@fightinfilipino
lol, the only reason its so efficient is because its 5 year old technology that has had time to work out all the bugs.
peko @ Apr 26th 2007 11:48AM
"Auto industy: Lets keep the same guts(engine, chasis, trans) that are in the '05 models and just tweak the body a little bit and sell the '06 models as if it was new."
If Nintendo were in the auto industry the motors would be: smalers, faster, more efficient and cheaper...
That would really suck.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 11:49AM
*singing*
It's big
It's white
It really wants to fight
It's my WIIIIIIII!
Karen @ Apr 26th 2007 11:49AM
1.89 billion (USD) in profit in 1 year and over 8 billion (USD) in sales! Hopefully because of this proof of success we'll continue to see Nintendo and other's take more chances with different software. I like playing good games competion between the big three will mean better games for gamers.
Really, Jack of Trolling... the Car under the hood would have a V8 5.7L engine instead of a 4 Cylinder 2.3L. It would also be able to transform into 6 different cars and be Half the price of other cars on the lot. Try harder next time.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 26th 2007 11:52AM
So sheppy... where can I see some of your work??? I live in Laredo, Tx. I work as a designer in the local newpaper, and I have my own bussiness of publicity, printing and graphics desing in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico (its border, at only 5 min) with 12 employers (the name is Punto Creativo, Creative Point), and you think that your collection impress me, and you think that the PC in the pic impresses me, and that TV impresses me... you make me laugh when you say that you are an artist...
clo1_2000 @ Apr 26th 2007 11:55AM
Ok, why the hell did you have to bring up transforming cars? I'm still waiting for my own personal GUNDAM. Oh, and way to kick ass Nintendo. In Japan, you don't play Nintendo, Nintendo play you!
mike @ Apr 26th 2007 11:58AM
I'm glad Nintendo is performing so well. Nothing like a good three way race to push prices down and quality up
--
Moron. This has nothing to do with competition: Nintendo was mocked for years for it's DS and Wii plans. The competition is doing rehashes of boring games from the late-nineties. Thank you Nintendo for ignoring what the rest of the market was doing.
Sidepocket @ Apr 26th 2007 12:03PM
@ Jack of No Trades
The auto industry is going to suffer anyway because we are running out of there precious black gold.
That and you must realise that people do not nessisary like new technology but good tech that is relyable. Read Gunpey Yokoi.
Eric @ Apr 26th 2007 12:12PM
I have my wii, I like it, the only problem is no games, and the novelty wears off pretty quick. Most of the casual gamers that get the system will probably only play wii sports (still the best game) and thats about it. If I had it to do over again I probably would have skipped out on buying it. All my friends with a wii feel the same way. This shortage is definitely working in Nintendo's advantage, keeping hype high and keeping and exclusive feel to the console. I feel when production becomes more steady and more gamers own the console the desire for the console will drop sharply.
Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 12:16PM
mike, not everyone wants to play Pokemon, WarioWare, and Rayman all the time. Many of us gamers, who really enjoyed the last generation, want these "boring" rehashes like Oblivion, Gears, Halo, Mass Effect, MGS4, FFXIII, Forza/GT, etc. with stunning graphics, sound, and HD.
Nintendo's PR has you believing that everyone wants last gen graphics with low budget titles all at cheap bargain prices. It may be true that more people want that, but if Playstation and Xbox went Nintendo's route I would most certainly be Nintendo and PC only, and playing my PC +90% of the time. As it stands, I'm Wii60 and play my 360 about +90% of the time I am gaming.
And do know this, if the PS3 by some miracle was priced at $250, it would be selling better than the Wii for the same reason the PS2 is selling so well. Many people don't want to pay so much for a console. I am willing to because it is worth it for me. Hell, I spent almost 2 grand on my HDTV, I want to get the most out of it.
Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 12:22PM
If the PS3 were priced at $250 then hell yes the console would be selling out rather than piling up.
High end graphics are great but they don't constitute a great game.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 12:29PM
"So sheppy... where can I see some of your work??? I live in Laredo, Tx. I work as a designer in the local newpaper, and I have my own bussiness of publicity, printing and graphics desing in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico (its border, at only 5 min) with 12 employers (the name is Punto Creativo, Creative Point), and you think that your collection impress me, and you think that the PC in the pic impresses me, and that TV impresses me... you make me laugh when you say that you are an artist..."
... the fact that you are not only past the age of puberty but actually in a position where people defend your ignorance is downright amazing to me. I mean, how in the hell did you develop such an ego if you went through art school. Wait, you're a graphic designer.. that explains it all.
First off, the point of the picks when I took them was primarily because a friend of mine moved to Japan to take up a position in Team Ico so she snags pics of her growing collection, I snag picks of mine. They are also handy to throw around anytime someone seems to think I'm someone terrified by Nintendo/Microsoft/Sonys success/failure considering I own them all.
The PC impression wasn't meant to impress namely because, seriously, I was showing off one of my past game character WIPs in the Maya shot. Also, she didn't know I finally added the Trigger Finger to my rig although she did know about the MicroKorg. Amazing how you, an artist, missed the Wacom in the pick.
Also, the TV is functional, not elaborate. When I finally buy a house, I'll upgrade. Until then, why bother? LCD is fine for now, supports all resolutions, and gives my nice vibrant color. I would prefer a CRT but those things are heavy and expensive if I go HD with it. Incidently, point of that pic being posted? The Wii, PS3, 360, domestic PS2, import PS2, and Gamecube in that shot.
Incidently, how in the fuck do you know how good of an artist I am? Really. You insult the fact that I call myself an artist yet have no basis for the jockular response. In fact, even the stuff thrown on my dev art account is often just sketches and brainfarts so it's nothing too impressive. The stuff I do for Frasca? Locked under an NDA, can't show it. Stuff I'm doing for InertiaSoft? Locked under an NDA, can't show it. Stuff I'm doing for my own game? Dude, seriously... the company isn't even publically known yet. I'm not showing content yet, sorry. I guess if you simply must see SOMETHING, follow the link.
www.fsone.com
I did a few planes for that.
Scott @ Apr 26th 2007 12:39PM
I can't help but wonder how Nintendo will fuck this up. Because you know it is coming.
Keep in mind, I am not a Nintendo "hater". This isn't me getting revenge because my Rob the Robot toy that came with my NES inadvertently cut my finger (damn gyroscopes!!) Or maybe it is.
Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 12:39PM
@Sheppy
So, you're saying that you have no applied work that you can or will display detailing your artistic talents?
I'm not talking of sketches and brainfarts or work for others.
Pawsie @ Apr 26th 2007 12:39PM
from the looks of it.. if they're unable to sell another wii tomorrow, it seems they'll still be the most profitable gaming company out of the three. Even if people get old of the system, they'll still buy interesting exclusive games.
It seems like it literally prints money.. while the other two system print debts.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 12:41PM
@Todd, sadly, yeah. A vast majority of my 3D assets are tied under NDAs. Except the last batch of planes I did for FSOne. So tell you what, tonight, I'll rig up a scene and do a few renders of what I did for them.
Seedy @ Apr 26th 2007 12:41PM
YES! In your face naysayerz!
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 12:42PM
"High end graphics are great but they don't constitute a great game."
Neither does gameplay.
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 12:45PM
Wruh roh!
If hardware didn't matter Nintendo would have not released a system past the NES. You shut the hell up.
Seedy @ Apr 26th 2007 12:49PM
y do u hate games Jack?
razer @ Apr 26th 2007 12:51PM
Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario,Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario,Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario,Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario.. Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario,Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario
Me so tired..
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 12:54PM
Seedy
I don't hate games.