Nintendo announces record sales

Publisher's profits up nearly 50 percent on sales of $16.2B as Wii sells 18.6M, DS shifts 30M units for the 2008 fiscal year.

With Mario Kart Wii reaching the top of the UK sales charts in its first week of release, the Wii and DS continuing to rule the hardware sales charts, and a multimillion-selling US debut for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo has had plenty of good financial news lately. Further evidence of that arrived today, as the company reported "record results in both net sales and income" for its most recent financial year. In a separate statement, the company also confirmed the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Europe on June 27, 2008.

Nintendo says it wants to be the games company that "puts smiles on the faces of people of all ages and genders," and following its financial statement today, there are likely grins all around at the Mario Factory headquarters. The company has reported that net sales for the year ending March 31, 2008, were ¥1.672 trillion ($16.2 billion), up 73 percent on the previous year. This resulted in a net income (or profit) of ¥257 billion ($2.5 billion) for its 2008 fiscal year ended March 31, up 47 percent on the previous year.

Both hardware and software have served up results that are bound to please Nintendo's accountants. The Wii console sold 18.61 million units worldwide during the last fiscal year, which amounts to 24.5 million units since its release. In its forecasts for April 2008 to March 2009, Nintendo says it will sell 25 million further Wii consoles worldwide.

Wii software sales were bolstered by the success of Wii Fit in Japan, where the fitness training programme shifted 1.85 million copies. Super Smash Bros. Brawl sold 4.85 million units in the US and Japan, with Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Party 8 also highlighted as major successes. Nintendo's statement says that the number of lifetime million-selling titles for the Wii went up from five to 26 during the fiscal year. The company will also roll out WiiWare in the US on May 12, with a European launch following on May 20.

The Nintendo DS handheld was also crucial to the company's financial success. More than 30 million units were sold worldwide in the past year, taking the lifetime number over 70 million. Fifty-seven titles are now million-sellers, up from 30 the previous year. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, the seemingly omnipresent Brain Training/Brain Age titles and Mario Party DS were flagged up as key successes for the format.

238 Comments

  • ch-ch-chaoguy

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 8:43 pm PT

    Nintendo is an awesome company and always will be, but their third party support this gen isn't turning out so great, check out Big Beach Volleyball for an example...

  • sickside6

    Posted May 15, 2008 1:03 am PT

    well you've got to give it to them, they are selling well.

  • SkateZero05

    Posted May 14, 2008 9:22 pm PT

    I love how Pinball69 thinks he's more mature just because he plays GTAIV. And that the only games on the Wii are SMG and Mario Kart, and that all you do when playing a Wii is shake a little plastic remote. Okay, that last part may be sort of true, but that isn't all there is to the Wii. I've had more fun playing games on the Wii with other people than I have with any other game/console to date.

  • -Squirrel-

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 7:37 pm PT

    After the gaming crash in the mid '80's the post Atari period was a bad omen for gaming. Nintendo with the Nintendo Entertainment System saved the market and ejected video games as common household items. Then Nintendo brought gaming to the masses on the go with the first popular high selling portable gaming device, the Gameboy. After Nintendo's release of Pokemon, the portable game player was cemented as another household item.

    Some have speculated another gaming crash, and I believe there use to be some validity to that. If we have had another generation of standard consoles I think a gaming crash would have been plausible. But with Nintendo's great success of their out-of-the-box handheld the Nintendo DS, and their smash hit home console the Wii, I believe a gaming crash is more than unlikely, it's really the opposite of a crash. Nintendo has entered us into the golden age of gaming, and possibly saved the gaming industry again. Video games aren't just games anymore, they're much much more.

    With the release of the DS it started, and now after the Wii's success it's undeniable. We have just witnessed the birth of interactive video entertainment. Everything till now was just a prologue.

  • r_gam3

    Posted Apr 27, 2008 3:38 am PT

    I have counted 21 million sellers on wiki. What are the others?? I think its either SSX BLur or MOHH2. Or is it some virtual console games?

  • matrixman2k

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    The reason for the seminal success is quite simple, and i can't fathom why it evades many people. The wii caters for the broadest and most flourished market out there: the casual to non gaming contingent of the society, So obviously the potential is unparalled, a potent promise that plainly can't be meet by more conventional and restrictive consoles like the 360/ps3. Furthermore, being a gamer myself, I reliase, shouldn't we enjoy all types of games on all the platforms rather than stick to one and be bias to the rest, the way the fan boys act is like this is some sort of cult or religion (guy's take it easy, as gamers we were meant to try all the games.) The rainbow is beautiful, purely because it has a multitude of colours not just one.

  • _guenter_26 posted Apr 26, 2008 12:27 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    _guenter_26

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 12:27 pm PT (hide)

    Then WIi is a joke; except for Super Smash Brothers Brawl that game is the only reason I would buy a Wii.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 9:07 am PT

    I feel sorry for Nintendo haters right now. I bet that kick in the nuts aches right now. Seriously though, congrats to Ninty. Whenever the subject of games console ever comes up at college, it is always about the Wii and how much people love it (owners) or want one. I wont even bother saying anything about the DS, I mean 70 million sales in 4 years. Wowzers.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 3:12 pm PT

    Lol, whenever anybody tries to blame anything other than the truly high quality titles(like GotY Mario Galaxy) for the Wii's success i just can't help but laugh my ass off.So insecure and/or ignorant.I mean y'know when then they just try to brush em off.Got news for ya, the other two consoles?Don't exactly have that many more truly high quality titles themselves fellas.I mean quality that matches the best Wii has.It's a pretty rare thing.

  • Dualmask

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 2:23 pm PT

    Every gamer has different tastes. I've got a PS3 too and access to plenty of online multiplayer games that I choose not to play online because I have more fun playing with friends in the same room. But in the end, I'm more of an antisocial gamer. My library consists mostly of single player games. I don't fault you for wanting to play games online, don't fault me for not wanting to. I don't care how many maps, additional weapons or play modes they let you download (probably for extra charge) if I don't want to battle people online. It's just not my thing, and mine isn't an isolated opinion either.

    And I don't care much about story. I don't play games to get a great narrative; I can read a book or watch a good movie for that. I played GTA: Vice City for over 80 hours but I can't really remember what went on in that game because I skipped most of the story sequences. I play games to have fun, and Wii games are just more fun to me.

    And finally, even though the Wii isn't HD, it still has better graphics capabilities than any of last gen's consoles. That's a fact. So just because it's not as powerful as PS3 or 360 doesn't mean it doesn't have respectable power or that the Wii didn't push forward on graphics.

    I acknowledge that GTA IV is probably going to be a decent game that I might even rent one day, but it's certainly not the game I'm most looking forward to.

  • crills

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:40 pm PT

    i guess you did not read my post i said i never used to like on line gameing but since i played gears online now any game i get for my 360 i go online weather its call of duty halo etc. and the wii did not go backwards it just did not go foward to much in the graphics department dont went past the the other to in innovation .just look at no more heros before you fight a boss you get a phone call that you actully hear when you put the wiimote to your ear its things like that that will make the wii stand out . and story wise please marios allways the same but zelda metroid you cant compare those games to mg4 or gta cause i see movies with them same type of storys come out of hollywood all most every year .and i been finished mario then then resident evil uc,trama center 2. no more heroes,nights.mertoid 3,ssb.bully. ninja reflex. and the list gos on and soon the mother of all raceing games comes out the and i dont knew were you were at in the 90s but sness and genisis and n64 etc were not the best graphics out at that time 2 words neo geo and there was the pc were i found one of my fav games half life

  • Kcube

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:08 pm PT

    Pinball69

    Try making some sense next time..you sound like a typical fanboy.

  • pinball69 posted Apr 25, 2008 1:05 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    pinball69

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:05 pm PT (hide)

    First of all games in the 80's and 90's had graphics that at their time were the best and blew people away. every consecutive console generation, from the Atari 2600 to the n64 and playstation, always pushed graphics forward, they never got stuck like the Wii did. So dont tell me games in the 80's and 90's didn't push for better graphics. Second, are you telling me that Super mario Galaxy, or Mario kart Wii, or super smarh bros. has a better story than say: GTA IV, or MGS 4? Thats like comparing a Whinny The Pooh movie to Star Wars. Third. How can you not like playing games online. Just because the Wiis online capabilities and online games suck? Once you finish Gears of war or Call Of duty 4's single player game you can actually spend years playing those online and it's a different experience each time. and with new maps coming aout every so months it literally take years to get old. What do you do once you finish Super Mario Galaxy? Keep shaking that Wiimote. lol.

  • Dualmask

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:00 pm PT

    Does playing GTA IV instead of Mario Kart somehow make you the "better" gamer?

    Between GTA 3, Vice City and SA, as well as LCS, I've played more than enough GTA to last me a lifetime. I've got nothing against the series, but for as good as the graphics are now and as nice as the overall package, part 4 doesn't look to be anything really groundbreaking to me. Maybe the online thing is fleshed out more, but online doesn't interest me much, not in a game like GTA. The story...I don't really care about the story; I'd much rather be able to create my own character and immerse myself more into the game world, in a sandbox game like GTA.

    But Mario Kart has never failed to provide a great deal of fun for me and my friends (who are all in the late 20s-early 30s age range). The two games are like apples and oranges of course, but in the end, I expect to enjoy Mario Kart Wii a lot more than I would GTA...and since there's nothing barirng me from playing both anyway, I'm comfortable with my choice.

  • crills

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:49 pm PT

    pinball69 How can a console based exclusively on kid games and mario games and nothing else (with graphics that were decent 5 years ago), defeat consoles with games such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty IV, Gears of War and MGS 4? How can a grown man feel comfortable shaking a plastic remote like an idiot to control a cartoon italian plumber? Its Incomprehensible...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... if you actully played the games you would know why. i own all 3 console from this gen and i play with the wii more and when im playing gears or call of duty 4 or halo all i here is kids spiting non sence in the mic so dont give me that cause im a grown father of 3 and most of my sons friends got 360s and they 10 and 11 years old. its simple nintendos on top cause real gamers are tired of the new face lifts every few years we play games for great gameplay not the looks cause in the 80s and 90s thats what it was all about.if you were to play mario galaxy to the end you would see that the gameplay and level design and the music and the way the implemented the wimote to do so many things in the game that it gives so many games on ps3 and 360 a run for there money.sure 360 has live witch i love and ps3 has the blue ray but to me games are more then just playing with freinds online or how they look .and more of a way to tell great storys and show diferant art froms so before you start your yapping give those games you never would play a chance cause you might just find a gem in there you never knew about. i know i did i never like online gameing untill i played gears i allway liked great epic story driven games but know i got something else to play when im lost trying to find out were to go next or what i need to open this door . lol

  • bannermanner

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:23 pm PT

    This coming from a WiiPS360 owner, I don't think they really deserve it, since their third party support is still mostly garbage. If they kept releasing really good first party titles at a more rapid rate, I'd be happier with my Wii, but not so. Flame away.

  • pinball69 posted Apr 25, 2008 12:17 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    pinball69

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:17 pm PT (hide)

    OK. You go on playing Mario Kart Wii. Make Sure you shake that plastic remote vigorously. LOL. Ill be busy playing Grand Theft Auto IV.

  • Slash_out

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:15 pm PT

    Good job Nintendo.
    I guess this confirms that Nintendo is really back into the game.
    And that this "fad" bullsh*t was just... bullsh*t after all.
    It's almost two years now for the wii.
    And a fad doesn't last at the top that much.
    A few months. Or a year, at best.

  • Fondness

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:04 pm PT

    Interesting.

  • hannify

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 11:54 am PT

    Good things happen to good people (and companies)

  • Dualmask

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 10:35 am PT

    The Wii is winning for a variety of reasons.

    Sure, it's cheaper than the PS3 and 360, but that's only a small piece of the puzzle. 250 is not exactly a drop in the bucket either. People aren't buying Wiis because the other consoles are too expensive; they're buying it because they want it.

    Only graphic-philes who compete in visual pissing contests and believe the best games are the best-looking games care that much about the Wii's weaker (but far from shoddy) graphics capabilities. Even in this day and age, I'd rather play an enjoyable adventure game that can last 30 hours or more with last gen graphics than any of the intense, hyper-realistic, special-effect filled shooter-fest that the average player overcomes in 6 hours or less (and paid more money to buy, to boot).

    It's a good thing the folks on this site who attack Nintendo and fail to understand why they're in the lead represent the vast minority of gamers out there.

    Call me a fan boy if you want, but I also acknowledge the Wii's faults. The lack of a hard drive is starting to bug me, I'm not a huge fan of the way Brawl's online was set up, and I'm not entirely convinced Wii Fit and the balance board are going to be such a hit in the US...but then again I once believed a handheld console with two screens and--at best--N64 level visuals would fade into obscurity against one with PS2 quality visuals, a disc-based format and an analog nub.

    I'm a 30 year old Wii owner and I don't mind that I'm sitting there waving my arms "like an idiot" because the games are so immersive and fun I barely notice. Can't really say that for other game consoles (and I am a PS3 owner as well).

  • teknicz

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 10:12 am PT

    Congrats Ninty.

    By the way, I find it amusing how many self-proclaimed "mature" gamers type like high schoolers with Downs syndrome.

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 9:09 am PT

    @pinball69 same thing happens at the movie theaters, take any rated R movie and have that go against any rated G movie.. the rated R is going to get crushed in sales. But unlike the movies, the kiddy system is about half the price of the others. So instead of going in and only getting the core system and nothing else, you can get the system, a few games, another controller or two and a memory card.

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 8:24 am PT

    it's not really weird, it's quite simple. Recession + low cost video game system = money. If all the systems were on the same price point, we'd see a very different scenario in terms of how many systems are selling. Plus nintendo is very keen on having 'family' games, which do sell alot. Same thing goes with movies, what movies consistantly sell mega millions? That BA rated R flick, or the rated G kiddy-twinks film?

  • iory2 posted Apr 25, 2008 7:06 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    iory2

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 7:06 am PT (hide)

    "slickr

    How can a piece of 32mb ram, 800mhz processor and 16mb video memory card with a stupid remote joystick be having such a success.
    The only thing you can do on it is swing your arm.

    What are people thinking?" And little quality titles it beats me too.

    Don't mean to diss any nintendo fans or falme anything but it really is weird that this console sells so much

  • fig56

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:50 am PT

    NINTENDO RULES ALL!!!!!

  • metalmilitia273

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:42 am PT

    IT PRINTS MONEY!!!

  • Ultim8wpn788

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:39 am PT

    this is towards slickr:

    Its called good games. as well as familiesare trying to become closer in the age where aim myspace youtube, and facebook take over most of these kids/youngadults time. therefore wii games are focused on both gamers and nongamers, basically its a win for everybody.

  • samusarmada

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:05 am PT

    it seems hardly a month goes by without a news report saying that nintendo is making record sales.

  • pro_gamer12345

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 5:57 am PT

    Nintendo is the best.

  • slickr posted Apr 25, 2008 5:38 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    slickr

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 5:38 am PT (hide)

    How can a piece of 32mb ram, 800mhz processor and 16mb video memory card with a stupid remote joystick be having such a success.
    The only thing you can do on it is swing your arm.

    What are people thinking?

  • kuda001

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 4:14 am PT

    @ AlucardsFate

    I understand the point your making mario, metroid and zelda have proven track records. i guess i am letting the fact that i had a ps2 and gamecube at the same time but enjoyed playing the ps2 more and the gamecube less influence my conclusions. but come on nintendo need to sort out the online multiplayer element of the wii.

  • sun_spirit

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 4:11 am PT

    Nintendo Has put in a lot of hard work over the last couple of years, and it's about time it all paid off!
    It's finally good to see a Nintendo console in first place again!
    "The Wii is childish, naw, naw, naw!"
    Well the chilidish Wii is pwning your sales Sony!

  • AlucardsFate

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 3:20 am PT

    @kuda001

    I dunno, I have a PS3...and so far...not worth $400. But I bought it for MGS4... and though Ninja Gaiden was pretty awesome, I'd have to say Mario Galaxy is easily the best game I've played in the past 2 years at least. (I have Bioshock for PC but never finished it) Super Smash Bros Brawl is another AAA title for the Wii. Better Multiplayer action doesn't exist. Rather then deal with a bunch of @$$holes on an internet server who talk more trash then play, I can play with friends and people I know. And while I have no problem with GOOD shooters, there are just way too many on the market. So many bad/mediocre ones surrounding the phenominal ones like Half Life 2. As for violent games...I enjoy them but don't think that blood is neccesary to make a good game...again..Mario Proves that over and over again when he butt-stomps the competition into the dirt.

  • MatthewNintendo

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 2:34 am PT

    Well done Nintendo you deserve it. The only improvement needed now is for the wii to realise it's full online potential. Let it get the same online content the PS3 and 360 get in it's third party games, and release a hard drive so wii can store DL content. Then the wii will attract even more people, but these will be more hardcore gamers than casual, which is the main area the wii needs to focus on atm.

  • Mj-Healy

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:33 am PT

    Finally Europe gets a release date for Smash Bros.

  • kuda001

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:28 am PT

    @AlucardsFate

    what i was trying to illustrate is that they target different markets that have different nneds. i did not say dedicated gamers don't play the wii but that a greater proportion of the population are casual gamers and are more likely to be ineterested in the wii than the ps3 or 360.

    as for the games part i believe i am right, no more heroes is a good game as well zelda but the ps3/360 produce better games (so far that is) than nintendo games. the elder scrolls on the 360 for example or ninja gaiden, bioshock or the upcoming mgs4 or the future ff for the ps3. ahh.....violent games

  • smfes

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 1:14 am PT

    As Bloodmist said nice to see the kings back on thronw where they belong ofcouse. I can't agree more tbh. I made my self up and bought a Nintedo DS back in August last year and i'm very pleased with it. I'm really really concidering buying a Wii in the near future. Probably when Smah Bros hits Europe in late june.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 10:53 pm PT

    Nice to see the kings back on the throne where they rightfully belong.The Nintendo consoles have always been my favorite of every generation and this one is no exception.

  • Some_One_Plays posted Apr 24, 2008 10:07 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Some_One_Plays

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 10:07 pm PT (hide)

    lol, the Japaneses culture always has an impact on other markets and it seems the Nintendo Wii is doing the same. Even though the console isn't my taste it's going to be pretty much everyone's second console. That's the key to its success being the underdog. Even though I do believe they're dishing out the same games with a different controller.

  • njean777

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 9:30 pm PT

    Thank god i have a wii and will know that nintendo will keep putting stellar titles on it. I still play my ps3 more but i love my wii and will always support nintendo they are one of the best in the industry.

  • Phoenix2Raven

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 9:27 pm PT

    good for them. everybody basically said they were done and now look. congrats nintendo. i know i love my ds. i'll be getting a wii soon too. i think people who are worry about no more gamer games coming out should hold judgment cause i'm sure lots of good studios are working on good titles that will take more time to come out so thats why nintendo has had to hold the fort down with all there big titles out soon. but with this many sales there is definitely people on board but got there late, basically everybody, who will have stuff out soon.

  • belwyrm

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:56 pm PT

    Nintendo didn't start it all, Atari did, and I know I shouldn't post this cause it'll get flamed but here goes.

    Nintendo itself has said that the Wii is not part of a "System war", that they target a different audience than PS3 and 360. Nintendo has a lot of good Party games, and some games designed for the more mature gamer. I own all three, and for different reasons. I got my PS3 for Blu-Ray, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, etc. I got a 360....well...because it was a lot cheaper than the PS3 at the time, but there are a lot of good games out for it all the same....even if most of them are FPS's. I got the Wii because I wanted to play Mario, and get Mario Kart and SSBB for when I hang out with my friends. I also play games like Zelda and Okami on the Wii, and those aren't party games, but decent single player adventures. The "Format War" between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD was one thing, since a single movie format makes sense. The "System War" is not a war where winners and losers will be decided. The next generation will come, and people will buy their favorite consoles, or the ones they can afford, or (most preferably) any one with the games they want.

    So in conclusion, congratulations Nintendo. I know how hard it is to find a Wii and that shows just how well you're doing, thank you for 20 years of gaming that we hope will continue.

    Game on!

  • qwrqwr

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:52 pm PT

    A couple of words........PS3= gamecube in sales and in quality. I have a wii but no 360 and I would say templar go play with your ps3 your just mad gta4 isnt ps3 exclusive.

  • templar999

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:29 pm PT

    Good for them instead of 360

  • waxtodonte15

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:28 pm PT

    DANG Nintendo Keep up the good work up
    Wii Is Owning PS3 & 360 Bigtime in sales. its funny how Sony and microsoft dont even put numbers in their sale chart only % maybe there
    embarasse to compare it with nintendo. LOL Dont get me wrong ps3 and 360 Are awsome too but they Should Think Twice before they pick on NINTENDO. The One who started It ALL

    NINTENDO........................................

  • K-Grogg

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:27 pm PT

    Nice work Nintendo, it's good to see your still doing so well.

  • King_Boo_01

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:10 pm PT

    YAY!!!! Nintendo keep the money rollin' and those games comin'

  • mattimusprime74

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 8:03 pm PT

    Awesome! Long live Nintendo!

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