Nintendo named 'World's Best Company' by BusinessWeek

Entrepreneurial magazine ranks Wii maker as top enterprise of the year based on sales growth, value creation over past five years; Google, Apple ranked second, third.

Nintendo started its fiscal 2010 year off on a sour note, reporting in July that profits plummeted 60 percent on revenues down 40 percent during its April-June quarter. Still, it's hard to argue with earnings of $2.66 billion and income of $442 million during a three-month stretch, not to mention the publisher's skyward trajectory since 2004, when it launched the 100-million-unit-plus selling Nintendo DS.

Flame-spitting hot rods for everyone!

In recognition of Nintendo's performance, BusinessWeek has placed the publisher at the top of its World's Best Companies 2009 list. BusinessWeek's rankings are compiled by management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, who sifted through the 2,500 largest publicly traded companies with a minimum of $10 billion in sales during 2008, 25 percent of which came from outside the home market. Companies were then ranked according to sales growth and value creation over the past five years.

A.T. Kearney valued Nintendo's 2008 annual sales at $16.8 billon, up 35.7 percent since 2004, when the publisher's GameCube struggled against Sony's best-selling PlayStation 2. As for value creation, which BusinessWeek defined as "the rise of market capitalization after subtracting any increase in capital," Nintendo has seen growth of 38.1 percent over the past five years.

"With visionary leadership and a three-tiered product development process that brings together top management, development staff, and marketing and administrative teams, the Japanese game maker been able to create new hardware without sticking to conventional notions in the video game industry," BusinessWeek wrote of the company.

Nintendo outpaced a number of other notable companies to secure the top spot in BusinessWeek's rankings. Google and Apple placed a respective second and third behind Nintendo, with South Korean construction products & services and shipbuilder Doosan Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries placing a respective fourth and fifth.

453 Comments

  • loopy_101

    Posted Oct 11, 2009 3:35 am PT

    Doesn't shock me with the amount of accessories and gimmicky games they release each year. And I seriously doubt the machine is that expensive to produce either.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 9, 2009 5:09 pm PT

    Hey everyone listen up, life goes on and so does nintendo. They have changed and its okay. A new nintendo lives, a casual gaming company was born and there pros at what they do. So let's give them a chance to shine and let's be happy that within over life time nintendo did not go 3rd party. They live baby! Nintendo lives!

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 9, 2009 5:09 pm PT

    Hey everyone listen up, life goes on and so does nintendo. They have changed and its okay. A new nintendo lives, a casual gaming company was born and there pros at what they do. So let's give them a chance to shine and let's be happy that within over life time nintendo did not go 3rd party. They live baby! Nintendo lives!

  • DeadSarow

    Posted Oct 9, 2009 8:38 am PT

    I believe they tried too hard with the wii. Great concept, really crap games(most of them). And as MichaelChainsaw said, I also have a sweet spot for Nintendo classics. So, I guess good job Nintendo!

  • MichaelChainsaw

    Posted Oct 9, 2009 1:09 am PT

    While I have a sweet spot for classic Nintendo.. I just don't like the Wii. I don't know if it is the whole swinging your arms like a mad man or the fact the Wii has a very limited selection of software. Guess I am just old-school. I'd rather play NES or SNES.

  • xKaTaHoMaSx

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 9:45 pm PT

    Go Nintendo.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    capitalthoughts: Agreed, its good to hear someone with a sound mind speak. The Wii is an awesome system has the best control scheme for FPS's. Some 360 and PS3 fanboys like to tell themselves that dual analogs are the best for FPS's, but anyone who has any experience with a Wii or a computer know an IR-interface are superior in every way.

    The only thing that bothers me is they seem to be forgetting who their real fans are. I still love you Nintendo, but don't forget who your real fans are!

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 2:17 pm PT

    @Flint247 - They saved it in the 80's but then Sony took it to the next level while Nintendo failed to embrace new technology. Now MS took it to the next level to compete with PC games and still Nintendo lags behind. Thats fine if Nintendo does not want to compete with the big boys but go the soccer mom route. It was a simple survival move as they didn't have the skills to compete directly with MS and Sony. Good thing there are plenty of kids out there with clueless parents or Nintendo would be a software only company by now.

  • BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 9:15 am PT

    Nintendo...definitely deserves it!
    The only pure gaming company existing today!
    ViVA NiNTENDO!!!!!!!

    Everyone agrees, give us a thumbs up!!! Oh Yeah!!!!!

  • capitalthoughts

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 9:09 am PT

    3 years and still the fanboys call the Wii a gimmick. If that were clearly the case, there would be no Natal and PS3 would not be doing motion control either. HARDCORE gamers like and try to own EVERY system. From the Odessey to the PS3. If you think you are a hardcore gamer though, based simply on the fact that you own a PS3/X360 over a Wii, you make us true hardcore gamers laugh and you expose yourself for the 15 year old fanboy that you are.

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 5:01 am PT

    @MobilechicaneX - No Way, MS & Sony do not destroy Nintendo. Look how buggy MS & Sony games are & less playibility than Nintendo games. It's not about outstanding Graphics, it's how outstanding the gameplay is. Ninbtendo makes the better gameplay and so have sky rocketed and they beat MS & Sony. Remember the SNES outstanding.

  • fauljosh

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 12:00 am PT

    Nintendo is a great company. I've loved them since 1985. I'd have to agree with others when they say they've lost their focus. So my idea would be to create a company within a company. Nintendo should roll it's top talent into a "new" company called Nintendo Core or something and have them just develop games for their long time fans and for gamers that aren't into the casual gaming scene.

  • MobilechicaneX

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 11:58 pm PT

    Nintendo might be the 'best company' but DEFANATLY not the better game company, Sony or Microsoft destroy nintendo in gaming now.

  • Brennan_Probst

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 8:27 pm PT

    Nintendo used to be great.

  • Dgalmun

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 7:52 pm PT

    @Osnic- You're seriously proving yourself that you're a stereotypical idiot, you're saying that fan boys/girls are annoying when you can be a fan boy/girl of something else. Learn to think of what you're saying because you're basically a jackass for telling people that they're stupid and annoying. I'm not really a fan boy but I play their games, you yourself are stupid posting this. Best if you watch what you're saying. So please don' take this as a offence.

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 7:51 pm PT

    its not a hradcore console because it cannot be, it's because it refuses to be, nintendo could easily partner up with a couple studios and push online fps with 16 players and ranks ect, but they wont, because it wont sell like a well marketed, moderately priced gimmick. sure its not a hardcore gamers spirit, its for casuals. and while fun for 30 muinutes, again, casuals dont play for hours on end, nor are they discering when it comes to bang for buck. they just play games that are quick, cool and popular. now while this strategy may seem stupid and sell out to some, nintendo are making money alot faster than microsoft, who only recently have started turning a profit, and sony, who are still losing money. plus the wii, while being a casuals paradise, is also a great console for the young soon to be hardcore gamers, with cod 4 coming to the wii, the grinder, dead space and more, (and im hoping for some headset support as i may pick them up) we could see the wii as a gateway(although not a fully developed one as yet) to the hardcore likes of the ps3 and 360, i mean my little sister who plays her wii was mind boggled by cod 4 and odst, and thier complex menus and scoring systems, leaderboards rankings ect, but the young are eager to learn, so might will pick up a hardcore game this christmas, and maybe go hardcore.

  • Darkside7972

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 5:53 pm PT

    "I love reading fanboys say how "hardcore" they are because they don't own a Wii. The cliche phrase of "Wii abandoned there hardcore!" is so pathetic. The Wii is almost exactly like the GC and N64 in content. Nintendo has NEVER been about gore and blood filled shooters.

    You're not wise and mature, nor cool, because you play Gears and swear at people online. It's too easy to cater to that dumb crowd. Nintendo knows this, and they took the high road at a gamble and it paid off."

    1. I'm hardcore because I like hardcore games, not because of which system I own. I even gave a few examples of hardcore titles on the Wii. The problem is that on the Wii they are few and far between while they're plentiful on the 360 and PS3.

    2. As they're often repeated, true statements can often seem cliche. Doesn't make it any less true.

    3. Hardcore games =/= violent games. Your attempt to put words in my mouth proves that you're clueless. Also, I own and love both an N64 and a Gamecube, and it's pretty obvious that their libraries are vastly superior to the Wii's.

    4. I don't own Gears and rarely even talk online.

    5. You've got it backwards--it's too HARD for Nintendo to cater to the hardcore gamers (the "dumb crowd" as you ignorantly put it). They tried that with the Gamecube and finished last saleswise. Why should they strive to make an excellent system like that or the N64 when they can be complacent with mediocrity for much less effort and money?

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 5:46 pm PT

    @ ayumi_miyazaki

    What. Are. You. Doing. On. Gamespot.

    You are the enemy of the people. If you want to lose weight, go to a gym and exercise there, or watch an exercise tape. Games were never intended to appeal to people like you.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 4:26 pm PT

    I whole heartedly agree with you gary_safc , wii fit is this generations greatest game I must admit. Thank god nintendo thought of it first. Wii fit plus shall be even better. I love you nintendo, all of your fans love you! Keep supporting us casual gamers and wii will support you back, I promise

  • Lightsyde

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 4:19 pm PT

    @ huntervaneg What I said was that I couldn't really congratualte them (the keyword being 'really') and by the way, my first, original post on this article was to congratulate Nintendo on their sales from a business perspective, while admitting I couldn't patronize them from a hardcore gamers perspective. In order words, I acknowledge their success, but they did get it through diluting (or broadening, depending on how you look at it) the intensity of their games, so I won't be singing their praises. Woe be unto me if I ever decide to concentrate on casual games.

  • gary_safc

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 4:12 pm PT

    Nintendo helped me lose 3 stone plus. and so nintendo will be in my heart forever , i love you for helping me lose weight and making great mario, zelda games

  • Lightsyde

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 4:05 pm PT

    @ huntervaneg Reading other people's opinions and learning makes sense, and my brain is by no means closed to the sales idea. I agreed with Rottenwood that sales is very important when I read Rottenwood's post. But if you follow Rottenwood's logic, Ninjagaiden should be scraped because tetris sells better.

    Also, Rottenwood's last paragraph implies that izmickey's being unreasonable in the argument, (And trust me on this: all of the people who have staked themselves to Microsoft or Sony wouldn't be parroting the phrase "the sales don't matter!" if the console they were rooting for was topping the charts - Rottenwood). Should I open my mind to that?

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:59 pm PT

    Abc news praised metroid prime, and now this happens. The wii drops too 200$ and amazon.com sells out of Wii's. I am not a hardcore gamer , I only play wii fit; wii sports resort and wii music, I'm so satisfied with my console I love it to death! Long live nintendo! Now your power, super power!

  • riariases

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:35 pm PT

    @-Celeste-
    I think you missed my point. What I was trying to get across is that banks don't CARE about how secure or unsecure the loan is because the government is backing them up and because they get interest either way they're making money. Think of the Bank as the middle-man, kind of like a lawyer. You don't REALLY need them, but they're sure as hell usefull to get what you want with more convienience, but you're still losing money to them. Anyways, there IS proof this is happening. If you're old enough to take out a loan and you already have taken out a house loan, or know someone who already has, go into a bank and see if you can take out a second one even though your weigh down of your current loan. See what happens.

  • huntervaneg

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:35 pm PT

    @ Lightsyde
    It is true that we are in a gaming community but it doesn't mean that we cannot comment about an article from different views (I always learn something reading people opinion)... In fact, the article is written from a business scope (an is valid and not insane Rotterwood explanation)... Maybe your brain and your senses is closed on a capsule called videogames... Continue reading other people opinions, maybe you could learn something... And bytheway, the art of fighting and winning on the business world (in this case videogames market) is something that deserves applausses!

  • Lightsyde

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:13 pm PT

    When you're holding a game-pad in your hands, is it sales that matter to you or having the most fun you can while being able to immerse yourself in the game as much as possible? @Rottenwood , this is a %#@$ing games community, not a goddamed sales presentation!

    Of course sales matter. But you can't really congratulate Nintendo on their sales because they got it largely due to casual gamers. Casual gamers don't regularly immerse themselves in the games they play, they're just whittling down the time. And they don't hang around gamespot either, and that's why your post are so unpopular. I'm pretty sure that if you isolated the sales of the three companies due to hardcore games sold out alone, PS3 and X-box 360 would win. And on this site, as far as I know, it's the hardcore games that matter. @izmickey , I'm behind you.

  • huntervaneg

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:12 pm PT

    I am gonna cry... After been defeated by Sony on the previous generations, the great N gets back in track and shines for itself... The Blue Ocean strategy was a total success! Congrats Nintendo!

  • enix165

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:05 pm PT

    Well, I'm anything but a huge fan of the Wii, but I had so many great times with every other one of their consoles(Virtual Boy excluded), so a title well-deserved, albeit late. =)

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    Clearly BusinessWeek is about 10 years behind, just like most Nintendo fans these days. Time to wake up and take a second look at Nintendo today. A greedy, increasingly less creative company who puts their most loyal and hardcore fans to the side in order to appeal to the IQ-deficient 'casual' audience, which largely consists of faceless extroverts with no interest in games whatsoever. Business, that's all there is..

  • Sonicplys

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:56 pm PT

    Nintendo rules us all.....Wii THA BEST, MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LISTEN!!!!!!

  • Lightsyde

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    @ izmickey I second that.

  • Darkmoone1

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    They should've deserved this a long time ago......

  • Flint247

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:54 pm PT

    Nintendo came a long way...

    They saved gaming, they revolutionized portible gaming, they did other stuff, too much to mention.

    Great job, Nintendo!

    (Prepares for haters to mark this comment down for praising Nintendo)

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:54 pm PT

    I'll get the Wii soon, then borrow okami from my friend. For now I'm currently torturing myself by playing Beyond Divinity on my Windows 7 PC because my Xbox 360 is suffering from the red ring plague, and hasn't gone to Silicon Heaven yet.

    (sound of bashing own head on desk)

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:47 pm PT

    I can't wait till nintendo release the black colored Wii console, that alone should raise the install base to 60 million if they release it here before x-mas, right guys. As a female gamer all I care about is Wii fit plus( I'm sorry)

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:47 pm PT

    I can't wait till nintendo release the black colored Wii console, that alone should raise the install base to 60 million if they release it here before x-mas, right guys. As a female gamer all I care about is Wii fit plus( I'm sorry)

  • Flint247

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    @Jedilink109

    Couldn't agree.

  • BigNalive

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    Oh, i hate when there is a discussion, and someone tries to make it stop. Jedilink, they ( and me, two times xD) are giving their opinion. Boy, this guys who do not have this Generation consoles ( or arguments) are just annoying when there is a discussion!

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:24 pm PT

    Ok stop with the fanboyism. And who ever is giving thumbs down on people who say congrats to Nintendo needs to stop. We are gamers and should be proud that a game company got this honor instead of any other type of company out there.

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:10 pm PT

    @izmickey

    Of course sales are the only thing that matters. They determine the future of developers, what software gets made, which publishers thrive, which die. Sales are the reason we never hear from Treasure anymore, despite their brilliance, while Data Design Interactive continues to vomit up software. The strong sales of the Wii have made it a monster, and caused the two mega-corporations they compete with to steer their own development in an entirely new direction.

    If your concept of state-of-the-art is computational power, you are very limited in imagination. Doing a better-looking version of something you've already done isn't pushing the envelope; it's a gentle nudge. That's not to say that Uncharted 2 isn't going to be kick-ass, because it will be. But it's just another video game with the same video game mechanics using a decades-old controller. I've got footwear that's edgier than that.

    And trust me on this: all of the people who have staked themselves to Microsoft or Sony wouldn't be parroting the phrase "the sales don't matter!" if the console they were rooting for was topping the charts. That's not directed at you specifically, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 1:05 pm PT

    "Nintendo's a big boy now"
    its 120 years old now.

  • melty3219

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:58 pm PT

    @Rottonwood
    State of the art = the highest level of development at a particular time (especially the present time)
    not something that was made in 2002. high sale figures does not mean state of the art it means its selling well!

    sigh i have made my point i dont think you have got it but others have.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    To izmickey
    Hear! Hear!

  • izmickey

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:51 pm PT

    @Rottenwood
    Your logic is very flawed. Hardware wise, the wii is last compared to the others. The only thing state of the art is the MOTION SENSOR controller. PS3 and xbox360 see the potential in luring in casual gamers with motion sensor technology. Xbox360 and PS3 are coming out with what seems like really good motion sensor technology. When it does, will the wii remote be state of the art? Who knows, maybe, maybe not.'

    Why are you asking for evidence from someone when clearly you just rant without any much evidence to back up most of your points. To YOU sales are the only thing that matters. I care about the system, the games because i want to buy what i believe is best for me with my money. I dont care who sells best. Its sad when gamers care more about sales instead of actually playing the games.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:50 pm PT

    @bezerk114
    http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation

  • bezerk114

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:48 pm PT

    where is it

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:45 pm PT

    @bezerk114
    If you hate the Wii, then you'll love this video by Yahtzee of Zero Punctuation on his perfect critique on the Wii sports resort.

  • bezerk114

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:43 pm PT

    hey seeing you guys are nintendo fanboy loosers vote link for best hero and bye the way the wii sold so many copies is becaues people thought it was motion control which is bull crap all i have to do is flick my wrist its the worst consol in gameing history.you know what the wii is two sticks and a censor.this is to all you loser nintendo fan boys

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