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Wii nears 30M, DS slumps in Japan

Halved handheld sales in Nintendo's homeland are offset by Wii's worldwide surge; company's quarterly revenue jumps 24 percent.

The Nintendo juggernaut continued rolling today with its latest glowingly profitable quarterly report, but the company's figures showed one of its tent-pole products losing steam.

Between April and June, the Nintendo DS handheld sold 6.94 million systems worldwide. That's down slightly from 6.98 million during the same time frame the year before. Nintendo also updated its lifetime-to-date sales total for the DS, which has now sold 77.54 million systems worldwide.

While sales grew elsewhere in the world, those gains were wiped out, as the Japanese market for the system experienced drastic decline. Japanese gamers picked up 580,000 DS systems for the quarter, down from 2.08 million during the same time frame last year. DS software also suffered a drastic slowdown in Nintendo's backyard, as Japanese consumers picked up only 4.93 million games, slightly more than half the 9.79 million sold in the previous year's June quarter.

The DS has been having issues in Japan, but its closest competitor is on the rise. Yesterday Sony announced its own results, which showed worldwide PlayStation Portable sales up 75 percent to 3.72 million systems for the quarter. The system is also apparently doing well in Japan, because Capcom today announced that its Monster Hunter Freedom 2G racked up 2.4 million in sales, becoming the first Japanese PSP title to break the 2-million-unit barrier.

The DS's slip did not go unnoticed by Nintendo. In its report, the company laid out its approach to revitalizing the handheld's fortunes.

"Nintendo's strategy is to accelerate current sales momentum from 'must-have for every family' to 'must-have for everyone' by continuously introducing new and unique software and introducing new services which take advantage of its expanded installed base."

The market for the Wii was similarly divided between Japan and the rest of the world. Nintendo sold 530,000 Wiis in Japan between April and June, down from 950,000 the year before. However, sales momentum continued rising for the system outside of its homeland, with worldwide Wii sales hitting 5.17 million for the quarter, up from 3.43 million the year before.

Lifetime-to-date, the Wii has sold 29.62 million systems worldwide, more than double the PlayStation 3's 14.4 million units. In between the two consoles is the Xbox 360, which has sold 20 million units since it launched in November 2005--one year before the Wii and PS3.

One place where Japanese consumers were more in unison with the rest of the world was in Wii software sales, which doubled and then some year-over-year. Japanese game sales for the system were up 40 percent, with software sales in the Americas jumping 222 percent. The system did even better on a global basis, with the number of games sold in the other regions soaring 381 percent.

For the quarter, Nintendo's revenues were up more than 24 percent year-over-year, from ¥340 billion ($3.15 billion) to ¥423 billion ($3.92 billion). The company's bottom line also improved--profits jumped nearly 34 percent to ¥107 billion ($990 million) from ¥80 billion ($740 million).

DS games that sold in droves for the company included Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time. Over on the Wii, Nintendo praised the sales success of newer titles like Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit, which sold 6.24 million and 3.42 million copies, respectively. It also singled out catalog titles that continue to sell, like Wii Play and Wii Sports, which is sold separately in some regions.

269 Comments

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 8:29 pm GMT

    Having a wii is like having a fridge, every household needs one. On the other hand, Xbox is like the fancy glassware which you rarely touch it. PS3 will be something in between. Yup, xbox 360 at the bottom.

  • division_9

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 5:51 pm GMT

    To me it always feels like the Wii is just a PS2 in a whitebox with some online service and motion sensing.

  • ajac

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 3:59 pm GMT

    eh I got all 3 consoles so who cares who wins. BTW the DS sales slumping becasue EVERYONE HAS ONE! Thier has to be a point when no one will by something no more casue everyone has one

  • BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 12:34 pm GMT

    oh look.. the 360 has been out 1 year earlier than the wii, but.. the Wii has thrashed, the ps3, thrashed the 360 even in america, outsold the gamecube, the xbox, and now charging through the N64, well the DS even beat the NES and outsold the psp by more than half, it's guaranteed, Nintendo has won thee 7th gen wars.

  • CJFreeze

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 10:29 am GMT

    This board is hilarious. The wii and Xbox have hardcore and non-hardcore games respectively of their own. Shadow7871 make an amazing point that if you truely are a hardocre gamer then you would nose dive into just about anything regarding gaming wether its on your favorite console or not. Those who complain and moan about how they think that "their console is better because..." can put that to rest because a game is a piece of art, a canvass that someone decided to paint his or her own way to appeal to either a specific crowd or to the masses. So if Xbox or PS3 were truely the better consoles then somethings wrong cause the numbers prove otherwise. Well all get 15 minutes of fame and right now Nintendo has the spot light. Congratulations in advance if they keep it, and congrats to the one who steals it. In my opinion, I just want to play some damn awesome games regardless of who makes them. Amen

  • cloudstrife145

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 12:17 am GMT

    @ masterchief;

    i didnt even say anything about "hardcore" xbox360 games being in the wii. wtf?

  • JBDragon

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 9:58 pm GMT

    The sales slowdown of the DS is going to happen at some point. Really, who the hell in Japan that wants one hasn't gotten one by now? Do people really need to buy 2-3 of them so Nintendo can keep it's sales up?
    I thought about getting one, but when I'm not home and I'm have a bit of free time, my Cell phone is right there always, so why not play games on that then worrying about carrying a DS around. Then again I just don't have a lot of gaming time.

  • LordNightwolf

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 7:10 pm GMT

    give the Nintendo Wii a few more years and it just might be THE # 1 SELLING SYSTEM OF ALL TIME!!! I bet Microsoft's Xbox 360 is going to be out dated in 2 years.

  • Shadow7871

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 4:36 pm GMT

    To those who claim to be 'Hardcore' gamers, if you truely were Hardcore then you would be open mindedand and you wouldn't give a damn about how pretty a game looks so long as it plays well. But of course I forgot most of you only give a damn about how a game looks, not plays. So Xbox and PS3 fan boys quit being all "were better because we have better graphics!!!!!!!" or "We have better games!!!!!" the most I have seen is FPS after FPS after FPS now I know there are other games coming out. So pardon me while I play what I want when I want HOW i want and not be called various names because I own a Wii (I have seen it happen also I do own a Xbox 360) and to those little kids who think heir all that grow the hell up and astop using words you don't understand in a attempt to bash one system. Their all good quick whining and just play (sorry for the rant I just hate how Hardcore gamers are quick to bash a certain system with out playing it)

  • MasterChief1694

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 12:38 pm GMT

    sorry cloudstrife, youre wrong. Wii may beat 360 and ps3 in overall sales, but the wii is a family oriented system so you wont see much hardcore games you would see on xbox on the wii. i have both systems and i think they are equally good. i just think Nintendo and other developers should make more games and features that you would expect on xbox 360 (voice chat, for example, which they are working on) to make the wii more of a system for hardcore gamers

  • AFWorm

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 6:20 pm GMT

    Go Nintendo! Now, they need to convert those sales into real profit like Sony. I do think that they really don't have anything to come out for the Christmas holiday.

  • thomas10soa

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 3:39 pm GMT

    wii has been good the past, what is it now, 2 years? since its launch, but im a little concerned about the nintendo games coming out this year, there seems to be none other than animal crossing, correct me if i am wrong

  • metc123

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 10:35 am GMT

    Define *slump* The DS is Still a runaway train!!!!

  • crszn962015

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 9:20 am GMT

    DS has sold enough to be really popular, I wonder if the Wii will outsell PS2.

  • LorenaLarue

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 7:16 pm GMT

    Its about time it slowed down.

  • BlackPlague1

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 5:33 pm GMT

    well how many ds can they expect to sell before everyone has one =p

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 5:09 pm GMT

    Go Wii, I love the Wii

  • Mp5slipknot

    Posted Aug 3, 2008 10:37 am GMT

    Not surprised the DS is starting to slump, considering how many people have it already.

  • hank_101

    Posted Aug 2, 2008 5:58 pm GMT

    yea that was pretty awesom

  • xbox360progamer

    Posted Aug 2, 2008 11:34 am GMT

    cloudstrife145: that guy there rocks lol.. he told everyone off in a nice way

  • cloudstrife145

    Posted Aug 2, 2008 7:17 am GMT

    lol lctpp2. XD ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    i seriously hate ppl who says the Wii sucks just because they consider themselves "hardcore" gamers, and think that the Wii doesnt have any. Friggin posers. You guys shud just accept the fact that the Wii owns the 360 and the ps3 and stop complaining about your prefered games(so called "hardcore" games) not being in the Wii, making you guys think why the wii sucks. The Wii rules. Period. What's even more funny is that the XBOX360 was released around a year before the Wii and PS3, shouldn't it have some sort of considerable lead over the Wii and PS3? Anyway, I don't hate the XBOX360 or anything(i play the xbox360 in my friend's house every once in a while), but I hate you people who think that the Wii sucks just because it's not as techy/"hardcore" as the PS3 or XBOX360. Leave Nintendo alone, and accept the fact that the casual gaming system is much more popular than the "hardcore" gaming systems... Oh and lastly, just to let you know, I have a Wii and a PS3, both of them played often(I play the Wii more than the PS3)...non collecting dust. So don't call me some Nintendo fanboy. Thank you, have a nice day.

  • A7Xfan

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 9:35 pm GMT

    If DS had an analog stick that could be clicked for use as another button. Basically like 360 or PS3 I could easily call the DS my favorite gaming system ever.

    If Nintendo were ever to prepare a new handheld soon a few obvious and not as obvious things need to improve.

    -An online system that connects 'gamers' like Xbox Live. A service that's transparent to anyone but the gamers. And I'd definitely pay for it.

    -Multiple touch points and multiple touch screens.

    -Higher resolution screens and more processing power.

  • annegab

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 7:18 pm GMT

    You can buy a used gamecube at gamestop for 30$ btw

  • residentzombie2

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 1:06 pm GMT

    not surprised DS sales are going down in japan because everyone in Japan already owns the DS

  • -Squirrel-

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 11:10 am GMT

    "necronaux: and I still see GC going for $99.99 new)"

    Thats not true anymore. Some places have old gamecubes still marked at $99, but Nintendo did release a Gamecube with Mario Kart and 2 controllers for $70. I saw a few a couple months ago at Target, and almost considered buying it just for the controllers, and sell away the system and game.

  • necronaux

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 10:05 am GMT

    It's really not a fair assessment of the DS. How long has it been out (DS & Lite)? The reason sales may be slowing is because almost everyone has one (or multiple systems) already.

    I'd say a price drop may help, but it seems unlikely (the GBA-SP is still $79.99 new, and I still see GC going for $99.99 new)

  • Buttmonkey9000

    Posted Aug 1, 2008 12:27 am GMT

    Let's be honest, what else can Nintendo do with the DS?

    I think it's the 'Product Life Cycle' coming into play, the DS is at it's 'Maturity' stage and wil then saturate and decline unless Nintendo can think of an extension strategy... again.

  • lctpp2

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 8:42 pm GMT

    @Uligzz

    It's ironic that you told Sony to "suck it" and have Solid Snake as your profile pic...what's up with that?

  • shabab12

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 5:52 pm GMT

    I hate how Nintendo try and claim they want to incorporate the hardcore gamer but so NO enthusiasm towards it. The hardcore gamer cannot be persuaded on Wii hardware so stop making false promises.

  • deadstarr

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 4:44 pm GMT

    Well put GrimBee, but you know sometimes I enjoy a bit of friendly banter between the systems. Brings me back to the times of team spirit and the like.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:36 pm GMT

    3 great consoles, all suiting different kinds of gamers. Its a great industry to be in right now, and as a gamer - you are spoiled for choice.
    Its a shame that because the 360 and ps3 are trying to fight against eachother that alot of games SEEM good before release - they end up being overhyped or just a dissapointment (e.g Haze).
    Next year there will be enough users for all the consoles so that developers will make a nice profit from us, and take some time to get out some great games.
    So far its been a sort of race to ESTABLISH a concrete userbase, from now on you shall really see developers squeezing the best out of every system.

    Think back to when the playstation one finally got its concrete userbase - that is when games like MGS really started to push the system forward. Once a solid userbase is set, developers will use the time and money to wow us with games, not just concepts of games.

    its really exciting to see all the consoles doing well and catering for the vast amount of people into gaming right now. The industry is so much larger now, and hopefully you will see some of the best games ever come out of it.
    Who cares if the wii has alot of party games, some people actually like those things.
    Who cares if the ps3 is getting an update to its blu-ray player facility.
    Who cares if you have avatars on xbox live.

    At the end of the day, if you are happy with the console that you bought, then its all good. No need to hate on the people who are also having fun.

  • Djmaster214

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:14 pm GMT

    "People knock the amount of games on the Wii and DS but there are only a handful of good games on the PS3 or 360 as well. I do not understand that argument..."

    um. no, what a blasphemic statement

  • destinys_martyr

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 2:55 pm GMT

    " (and who really cares about blue ray disc?) "

    seeing, that it seems to be the future of media on discs, I would say that puts the PS3 way past the 360.

  • destinys_martyr

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 2:51 pm GMT

    "The consoles I choose from this Gen is Xbox 360 and PS3"

    yes, because those are the only other options....

  • Uligzz

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 2:24 pm GMT

    I think that the wii is so great because of how its so cheap, And SSBB. but i think that if the PS3 was 250 bucks it would beat the wii at selling consoles.but the WII will be the greatest for EVER AND EVER SO SUCK THAT MICROSOFT AND SONY

  • condemned100

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 2:22 pm GMT

    I hate to say this but Nintendo has become somewhat of a Joke now. The Nintendo Wii is not being bought by Hardcore gamers but by casual gamers. And honestly the Nintendo Wii is not my choosing of console. The consoles I choose from this Gen is Xbox 360 and PS3.

  • jknight5422

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 2:08 pm GMT

    Theory: Probably the same people who bought a million copies of Alone in the Dark for the 360 bought the Wii as well.

  • crills

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 1:41 pm GMT

    metroid 3,medal of honor heroes2, ssb, mario galaxy,no more heroes,mario kart ,zelda,lost winds,wii sports, trama center 1 and new blood,and those are games that are out now then theres mad world, cursed mountain, the counduit, shawn white, skate it,dead rising, wario shake it and countless others and im sure nintendo got some games allmost done that they have not shown us.i own all 3 console and im not mad at nintendo why ?cause the wii has my type of games plus it has games for my son and my wife it really is for every one. and thats what i love about nintendo you never know what your going to get from them just imagine if no conpany took a chance there would be no ipod or dvds we still be useing walkmens and watching vhs tapes lol

  • lctpp2

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 1:22 pm GMT

    Nintendo: A Gaming Console??? I don't see that image clearly anymore. It has become completely obscure...

    OH wait! There's MadWorld! . . but they didn't even show THAT at the E3 press - con. Tsktsk. Really, their business model has CASUAL written all over it. Next thing we know, there gonna be developing an online gaming service (read: MMORPG) featuring classes based on famous Nintendo characters as a last ditch effort to tempt the core gaming masses. Oh, I could see it now... They'll have classes such as The Plumber (Mario), Space Mercenary (Samus of Metroid Prime), The Cross - Dresser (Zelda/Sheik), Pocket Monster (Pikachu), The Cross-platform Guest Character (Sonic, Solid Snake), and many more! It'll probably be named something like World Of Nintendo (W.O.N.) or something random sounding like Super Smash Paper Mario Online. Plus, in order to add buddies to your buddy list, you'd have to enter their friend code! What's even worse, it doesn't feature voice chat!!! Oh, the horror....

  • atopp399

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 12:12 pm GMT

    People knock the amount of games on the Wii and DS but there are only a handful of good games on the PS3 or 360 as well. I do not understand that argument...

  • Sendmn23

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 11:57 am GMT

    The 360 is the king of the hill! The only reasons to really own a ps3 (and who really cares about blue ray disc?) is Metal Gear Solid 4, God of War 3, Killzone2, and Final fantasy 13..... oh wait that ones coming to the 360 too.... Ha! If you think three games is worth buying the ps3 then go right ahead. How about this for a perdiction? Next year we'll see Metal Gear Solid 4 on the x-box 360. Thats right the king of consoles.

  • BradBurns

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:50 am GMT

    The PS3 is only getting started, while the 360 is still going strong and looks like its going to have a solid year.

    And Nintendo's systems keep selling but there's not a lot of good games on either the Wii or the DS. And for the Wii there are zero upcoming games for the system that I think are worth looking forward to.

  • diggyman

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:33 am GMT

    I'm reading a lot of nonsence on here.

    Any FANBOYS relying on 'their system' to make a comeback based on ONE game in the future, should NEVER get into BUYING STOCK. They say "when 'such and such comes out for the PS3, they're gonna take over the industry." ??? yeah right. Dont be rediculous. Their best chance of that happening (MGS4) has already passed. Hate to burst your bubble, lil homies, but they need more than a miracle to comeback. And as a NON-Fanboy, I hope they do. I'm just more realistic about it.

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:33 am GMT

    Even if I were a casual gamer, I just don't see why Nintendo is so popular. Am I missing something? I guess I'm the only one that thinks their games stink. Sure pop out a Zelda every now and then but seriously...

  • cajunstrike

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:31 am GMT

    Agreed. Good third party titles are needed for long-term success.

  • peterg500

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:18 am GMT

    I thinkt the PS3 will always be around to cater to the hardcore gamers. Having said that Nintendo fits the casual gamer nicely. I hope they keep on trucking in that direction. Maybe the reason the DS sales are down is the fact that the tech is getting old? I heard rumors of the next Gen DS coming out in the near future. I do hope it has a little more power than the Lite with a little bigger sceen. But those are the only changes I can think of. The real question is what does this mean for the 360? I mean they arent as solid as the PS3 down the road for the hardcore gamers, but they dont hit casual gamers as well as nintendo. So where do we see them in the race down the road?

  • 3Dpaper

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:13 am GMT

    its just because everyone got one already

  • sergioalb64

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:13 am GMT

    All right, Nintendo; get to it! Make some interesting casual games, sure, but how 'bout more first party DS titles that are 'hardcore'? Imagine; a remake or sequel to Super Mario RPG, a new Mario & Luigi, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Pikmin DS, Metroid Dread...

    Come on!

  • ThumbTwitcher

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:08 am GMT

    Now is just a matter of Nintendo try to get a DS in every one's hand. Man they are going world domination with the DS.

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