Nintendo Returns to Full-Year Profit For First Time in Four Years

Nintendo has announced it made a ¥41 billion ($350 million) profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, returning the company to an annual profit for the first time in four years.

According to its latest fiscal report, global sales of the Nintendo 3DS family, which includes the 2DS, reached 8.73 million units. The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL were said to have "got off to a good start and continued to sell well." Previous models, however, "did not grow as anticipated."

Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS reached 9.94 million units and 6.8 million units respectively. Nintendo described the performance of these two titles as "robust."

Meanwhile, Tomodachi Life, Mario Kart 7, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, meanwhile, showed steady sales, each selling more than two million units. Overall, Nintendo 3DS software for the fiscal year reached 62.7 million units.

Global sales of Wii U hardware reached 3.38 million units, while software was cited as 24.4 million units. Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U had sales of 5.11 million units and 3.65 million units respectively.

Looking forward, Nintendo’s outlook for the fiscal year of 2016 involves maintaining the performance of currently available games that have strong sales potential. Additionally, it intends to continue releasing new games to expand its install base. Delivering more downloadable content for Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U is one of the ways Nintendo is aiming to keep its more popular games active.

Specific details on the performance of Amiibos were not provided, but new waves of traditional figures as well as Amiibo cards and yarn-knitted Amiibo will be used to stimulate demand. An NFC reader and writer accessory for all Nintendo 3DS and 2DS will also be released.

Along with this, the company expects Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, a new Rhythm Tengoku, the new Fire Emblem, and “a number of key titles from third-party publishers” to contribute to attaining its projected operating profit of ¥50 billion (around $420 million) and net profit of ¥35 billion (around $290 million).

Three new Nintendo 3DS bundles have been announced for Europe. Nintendo also recently apologized for Amiibo shortages and promised to communicate better with fans on supply information.