Nintendo closing gap on Sony's market value
by Ross Miller 
{ Jun 20th 2007 at 3:26PM }
According to Reuters, Nintendo's market capitalization is now 6.30 trillion yen (approximately US $51.1 billion), vesus Sony's 6.64 trillion yen ($53.8 billion). Though Sony shares have increased 72 percent over the last two years, Nintendo shares have reportedly shot up four-fold in the same period; it's that same increase that has made former Nintendo CEO Hiroshi Yamauchi now the third wealthiest in Japan.
Sony obviously still has sizable market value over Nintendo and current success is not indicative of long-term staying power (e.g. Nintendo's pre-PlayStation dominance), but the House of Mario has certainly found (and capitalized on) a large market. Nintendo, Sony Defense Forces: don't shoot the messenger.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Platinum_Skeet @ Jun 20th 2007 3:33PM
lol Man that picture never gets old...
Mike @ Jun 20th 2007 3:34PM
Wow, go Ninty :D
Not long till Nintendo overtakes Sony in market value :O Pretty scary stuff, if you imagine yourself just 3 years ago with the DS pretty much unknown and the GC failing against the PS2.
AKM @ Jun 20th 2007 3:36PM
Sony has 6+ divisions. Which one they actually counted?
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 20th 2007 3:37PM
Nintendo deserves that... its the only company that actually did something innovatove this gen, with the DS and the Wii... PS3 just add raw power...
Charron @ Jun 20th 2007 3:37PM
@AKM
All of them.
Arglor @ Jun 20th 2007 3:40PM
the article above (if the facts are accurate) is in no way inflamatory to sony or nintendo. I don't see why anyone could get angry at it. Nintendo is having an unimaginable success right now. They made the current "hoola hoop" and its sky-rocketing. "You know.. for kids!"
JRM @ Jun 20th 2007 3:40PM
the joke is really on those that underestimated Nintendo, Ken Kutaragi & Phil Harrison especially, but also all the fanboys that thought Nintendo had one foot in the grave.
jay @ Jun 20th 2007 3:43PM
The grave appears to be on the other foot, now.
T-MeK @ Oct 7th 2007 4:28AM
I never would have imagined sony coming in last a few years ago. Pretty amazing how things can turn around. I guess the reverse was true when SNES was so popular and the original playstation came out.
http://ionglow.com
Shagittarius @ Jun 20th 2007 3:46PM
I don't own Nintendo stock, and think people that think the Wii is a great product are idiots...So file this story under 'Who gives a shit...'
sheppy @ Jun 20th 2007 3:46PM
@Arglor, you win the topic just for the Hudsucker Proxy reference.
Dud @ Jun 20th 2007 3:48PM
Maybe Sony should exit the console business and just make games for Nintendo.
Mr Khan @ Jun 20th 2007 3:48PM
I really wish i had bought Nintendo stock in late 2004 now
the anticipated Metroid Prime 2 was a sales flop, the Halo 2 craze caused everyone to lose interest in the ailing GameCube, and the DS was being ignored in favor of the imminent PlayStation Portable
so many lost oppurtunities
Heath @ Jun 20th 2007 3:50PM
I laugh every time I see that picture. 20 years ago nintendo took hold of the video game market, they seem to be doing it again.
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 3:52PM
Who cares about how well Nintendo is doing except Nintendo themselves? Obviously the large install base isn't helping the Wii in getting titles that real gamers enjoy. I had a Wii, with Zelda and Rayman, and it stayed like that for MONTHS! Even now there is not a single title I would've bought if I hadn't sold the Wii (no Trauma Centre or Super Paper Mario in Europe). I may buy it again when it's 150 euros, and SSBB, MP3, SMG, and all of those other Nintendo games.
It's like GameCube all over again, except with craptacular graphics compared to the competition, and even less good third party games. But it's selling like pan cakes, so it must be good!1!!
fukwii @ Jun 20th 2007 3:57PM
Just remember you little nintendo bitches what goes up, always comes down.
I bet wii still ends up third by the time this round ends. Not much to look forward to but a bunch of shitty wii mini games.
Heath @ Jun 20th 2007 3:54PM
Whats with people hating one platform or another?? There all video games made for your entertainment. Whats not to like?
Vancaeyzeele @ Jun 20th 2007 3:59PM
Nintendo has done what it has always done: innovate.
And yes they seem like making games for kids, yet all those mature games are just shooting around with bigger nicer and more explosive weapons every time around (and vehicles).
I don't know but i like strategy games more, even if they look like their made for childs.
Loving the PS3 is like loving Britney Spears, all mature and fake. Grow up.
Someone who did also find the 'power rangers' cool and mature once, like 15 years ago...
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 3:57PM
That many people who are long-time Nintendo fans or people that got caught in the hype are now disappointed with their Wii. Screwed out of their money.
Shagittarius @ Jun 20th 2007 3:59PM
Off Subject but since were bashing the Wii and the Wiihuggers; Isn't it funny how all of them claimed the controls made the game more immersive, then as soon as Manhunt gets banned they all started saying 'Well it's really not that much different from pressing a button'. You could never have gotten a Wiitard to say that 2 weeks ago, but that just shows you what hype machines Nintendo fans are, their mouths are writing checks that Nintendo won't cash.
Steve @ Jun 20th 2007 4:02PM
Even in the GameCube days, Nintendo was still making a profit, right? Financially speaking, it should only be important to a gamer whether the company or companies they enjoy purchasing consoles and games from remains profitable. Everything else is just for chest-beating purposes, which I guess is what most Joystiq comment threads devolve to.
Muttley @ Jun 20th 2007 4:04PM
17. Just remember you little nintendo bitches what goes up, always comes down.
Now it is Sony's turn to go down.
18. That many people who are long-time Nintendo fans or people that got caught in the hype are now disappointed with their Wii. Screwed out of their money.
Speak for yourself. I'm happy with my Wii. And with Mario Galaxy, Metroid, Smash, Soul Calibur Legends, Final Fantasy, Rygar amog others on the horizon how could I be disappointed?
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 4:03PM
The Wiimote is not an innovation, since in most games it's only function is substituting a button press with a shake. The pointer function is the only real value of the Wiimote, but seeing how halfassed it has been used so far, I don't have high hopes. The actual motion sensing works in a couple of games, but as I already said, in the majority of the games all you do is shake the Wiimote.
Dud @ Jun 20th 2007 4:04PM
"Just remember you little nintendo bitches what goes up, always comes down."
I think they know it. N64 and Gamecube, anyone?
Eventually Microsoft will come out on top, maybe on the next gen consoles in four years from now. Sony will take their two generation sit out starting now.
Rob Accomando @ Jun 20th 2007 4:04PM
what is up always comes down? You mean like SONY?
Gavin @ Jun 20th 2007 4:05PM
Who knew you could make so much money with old hardware and rehashed games?
Jacob P. @ Jun 20th 2007 4:10PM
@26
Obviously, Nintendo did...
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 4:10PM
@Muttley
How can you base your satisfaction of a console based on games that aren't even released? That's really sad. Sure the Wii has its purpose, it's terrific at parties, but for actual "epic" games? I said many people, not all people or even most people.
deaftly @ Jun 20th 2007 4:14PM
@26, its all in the marketing, nintendo did a good job aiming @ the whole family thing playing games together, personally the wii is just fun for drunken times with friends, single player is real weak
megaStryke @ Jun 20th 2007 4:14PM
@Slaziman
"How can you base your satisfaction of a console based on games that aren't even released?"
The same way people can base their satisfaction of the PS3 on upcoming heavy-hitters like MGS4 and FFXIII, games that have sparkling histories and therefore will more than likely deliver.
Heath @ Jun 20th 2007 4:14PM
What is wrong with you people.
Loki @ Jun 20th 2007 4:19PM
The list of games coming out in the next 8 months for 360 and ps3 looks smoking.
Alone in the dark
Army of two
Kain and Lynch
GH3
Rockband
Mass Effect
stranglehold
Too human
GTA4
Resident evil 5 [this game will be bad ass]
Bioshock
Halo 3
Lair
Heavenly sword
Blue dragon
So hows that third party support going for the wii?
Oh yeah you get a resident evil rail shooter and we know how wonderful RE rail shooters are....Hey you always have Mario this Mario that blah blah blah....
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 4:18PM
I'll wait with being satisfied until I actually use my console daily (okay, maybe not DAILY, but a few times in a week at least) for gaming, not let it collect dust but be happy that one day Super Mario Galaxy/MGS4 will come out for it.
That Xbox 360 sure is looking good now, you can always fire it up for some online gaming, the games have tons of replay value thanks to "achievements", XBLA looks awesome for casual gaming... and best of all it has games NOW not the promise of good games in a year. If only it didn't have such quality problems I would buy it.
Steve @ Jun 20th 2007 4:42PM
1. Platinum_Skeet:
lol Man that picture never gets old...
==============================================
I prefer the animated one.
OMG WTF LMAO ROFL WAFFLE DAIRY QUEEN BBQ SAUCE! @ Jun 20th 2007 4:24PM
OMG I KNOW LIKE WTF?? I am such like a total matur3 gamer because like i can shoot guns with big shiny HD graphics
OK PS3 and XBOX 360 are innovations because like they have the exact smae controller but now its wireless....oh and they even changed the color! Did i mention that its almost the exact same as the originals except for more memory and upgraded some
chips for prettier pictures...
P.s lets not forget that you can even go online with the new Xbox! But if u have wireless internet (like most people) you only have to pay $100 for the wireless adapter plus $60 a year! NOW THATS INNOVATION
And what does the Wii have...a brand new controller? It uses these brand new features to play games in a whole new way thats not innovation upgrading graphics now thats innovation!
loloLOLO
ok now more seriously why do kids think that the wii is just a piece of crap because of the graphics and that its just gamecube 1.5
we could say the same about xbox or the ps3 all they are, are the same system with upgraded chips
Jeremy @ Jun 20th 2007 4:30PM
Ok, this is a sweet picture. But why use the dollar? Why not Japan's currency? Just asking.
kimoy @ Jun 20th 2007 4:25PM
damn even when nintendo is doing great all these sony fanboy seem to find a way to drag nintendo down... is there end to the fanboy wars.. just admit it.. nintendo is here to stay...
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 20th 2007 4:29PM
@Loki
The Wii have:
Mario Galaxy
Smash Bros
Metroid Prime 3 (specially this game)
Mario Strikers
Manhunt 2
Final Fantasy Crystal Bearers
Rygar
Soul Calibur Legens
No More Heroes
Disaster Day of Crisis
Mario Kart Wii
Batalion Wars
Resident Evil Umbrella C.
Animal Crossing
Forever Blue
Dragon Quest
Rayman 2
and much more, cause developers are just starting making Wii games...
megaStryke @ Jun 20th 2007 4:26PM
@Slaziman
You are aware that during the first few months of the Xbox 360's life there were few must-have titles? It took a while for many of the big titles to touch down. The launch had Call of Duty 2, and debatable titles such as DOA4 and Perfect Dark Zero, but it wasn't until around the time that Dead Rising hit, about ten months after the 360's launch, that we began to see the machine pick up its stride. A lot of people like to compare the 360 to the Wii and the 360 in terms of software library, but you have to at least allow the machines to build up a library of their own.
wiithird @ Jun 20th 2007 4:27PM
I luv how nintendo fanboys have already claimed victory, and nintendo's system hasn't even made it thru its first year...Call me two years from now when wiimote thrill is gone the games look dated.
vidGuy @ Jun 20th 2007 4:27PM
The Wii is underpowered compared to its competitors, but it has already shown that power isn't everything. On the contrary, I think the Wii will continue to dominate, passing up the 360 for first place before the end of the year. By Summer/Fall 2008, the Wii will have passed the GC in total sales of 23 million.
With this level of saturation so quickly, the Wii will have garnered so much media attention and grass roots name recognition that it will have reached a sort of tipping point (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping_Point). At this point, the Wii will have twice the audience as the PS3 and about 1.5 times the audience of the 360. This will cause developers to focus more games on the Wii (as they have already started to do). More games on the platform give more consumers a reason to buy Wii over the other two, and the cycle continues.
Wii will be Nintendo's most commercially-successful console, passing up the NES's reported 60 million in sales by 2011. Due to higher initial cost, growth rates for the 360 and PS3 will be slower than their predeccesors, and the Wii will capitalize on that.
Wii will win this round, and the PS3 will suffer a decisive defeat.
These predictions are based on my outlook and take into consideration only forseeable price drops, not a dramatic move by Sony to undercut the 360 by $100 or anything. Also, I only care about the Wii's success because 1) I love Nintendo games and 2) the most popular console gets the best 3rd party games.
super joe @ Jun 20th 2007 4:29PM
I dont feel like posting games soon to be released because I'm not insecure about gaming on the Wii.
Steve @ Jun 20th 2007 4:43PM
15. Slaziman
Who cares about how well Nintendo is doing except Nintendo themselves? Obviously the large install base isn't helping the Wii in getting titles that real gamers enjoy.
============================================
Relax Slaziman. At the earliest it didn't become obvious that the Wii was a success until December. Video games are complicated. It's not like we're talking about some mindless "Family Guy" cartoon that some stoner can write up the story in a few minutes and then ship it off to a Korean sweatshop to be crudely animated. Even a third rate developer like Ubisoft needs months to create a game. There just hasn't been enough time to develop quality games from the time it became popular.
Though I do think that the company responsible for a console should try harder to produce quality titles during that first year when 3rd party titles aren't strong. Nintendo has released Zelda and Paper Mario but won't release another big title until August. All of its other games during this period have been shallow throwaway titles like WarioWare, Mario Party, Mario Strikers Charged, the highly overpriced Big Brain Academy, and WiiPlay.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 20th 2007 4:34PM
@Loki
I also miss Fire Emblem and Guitar Hero 3
And that games are EXCLUSIVE games for Nintendo(except Guitar Hero)... the list that you post some games are for both PS3 and 360
Slaziman @ Jun 20th 2007 4:33PM
@OMG WTF LOL WHATEVER
Online is a huge innovation in console gaming, sure it was around in the last-gen, but never so smoothly implemented as with 360/PS3, and compatible with so much games. Also XBLA/PSN is innovative, it is new in gaming this gen, and should never be compared with the half-ass ROM dump site called the Virtual Console. In which game has the Wiimote done something that couldn't ever be achieved with a normal control scheme? Wii Sports maybe. And the minigame collections. It may also do something good for FPS, but I still haven't seen any good FPS on Wii.
Not only that, but basing the value of a console solely on its hardware? The fact remains that every time a good game is announced it's 360, PS3, or PS3+360. The Wii is always left out. Love it or hate it, the new good games are on the new consoles, not on Xbox or PS2, that's why people buy 360's and PS3's.
Almack64 @ Jun 20th 2007 4:33PM
@ Shaggi #20
You must be talking about comments on some other site or living in a dream world or something because I have yet to see anybody comment on how "'Well it's really not that much different from pressing a button'"
to the contrary I have seen many posts by the top fans of the wii (on this site) saying that:
1. It is different than the other versions
2. It is a murder similator
3. It should be rated AO
4. Stores shouldn't restrict an adult's desire to buy an AO rated game
But then again Shaggi most of your comments are simply BS anyways so maybe it's just foolish of me to actually take you and your opinions seriously at any point in time.
Jake @ Jun 20th 2007 4:37PM
Well, good for Nintendo. The Wii and DS definately aren't my cup of tea, as I prefer challenging "hardcore" games with modern graphics and big budgets, but they are certainly showing that adult hardcore gamers like myself are in the minority.
People would rather pay $250 for a console that costs $125 to make and $50 for a game that costs 1 million to make than pay $400 for a $400+ cost console and $60 for a game that took $10 million to make. Nintendo found a way to make more money per sale and make more sales at the same time. They have used different input and display methods to hide the quality difference from the customer, making them think the lower price means more value, and psyched non-gamers into thinking their product was not geeky. All the while they have provided fun products for millions. Brilliant. It really does print money.
You know, this might be one of the last generations of a true PC alternative console. Next gen it might just be some low tech, overpriced hardware with "newer wackier input" and the PC. Guess my days as a console gamer are numbered.
PC gamers, I take back all those times I called you anti-social geeks. Can I come over and play now? I just need your help showing me how the hell to make a PC play Crysis, and the other games. Hopefully Sony or MS or preferably both can turn a good profit this gen catering to the hardcores, because I like my consoles. Or even better yet, maybe these new Wii and DS gamers will want to graduate the minor leagues and come play with the big boys. You never know. ;)
Mr Khan @ Jun 20th 2007 4:38PM
@ Jeremy
probably 'cuz an American was making that, and either figured the dollar would be more recognizable or simply forgot
And as for 3rd party support: Wii's getting NiGHTS 2
NiGHTS 2
That and that alone would be enough to satisfy me and a good number of the old Saturn fanboys, the rest is just icing...
Jon-Angelo @ Jun 20th 2007 4:39PM
People stop using words such as; we, us, everyone, them etc etc, when you're only talking about yourself. I think it's getting annoying.
And if you find yourself getting angry over this article then I have a suggestion before you resort to venting your frustrations into an irrational post: take a deep breath, remember it's just a console, yes I know you love it to death, BUT it doesn't love you back. If it fails, it's okay you can still go on with your life or maybe even go outside, or perhaps just buy another console. Maybe that's too easy, I don't know this isn't an answer it's just a suggestion, but whatever sparks that anger inside of you over a console might not have anything to do with videogames.
Look inside.
You'll be okay.
ZapDash @ Jun 20th 2007 4:39PM
You people who love Sony/Microsoft don't seem to understand the simple fact that a diehard Nintendo fan would buy a console just to play a Nintendo game. Most of my games are directly from Nintendo and I enjoy them. The only thing I expect out of my Wii is that it will have Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and Smash Bros on it, anything else is a plus but not really what I care about.
Nintendo fans are obsessed. Get used to it.