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Nintendo nine-month sales sink 23.1%, Wii Sports Resort sells 13.58 million

Wii price cut and slowing DS sales cut into Mario Factory's bottom line; Legend of Zelda sells 2.45 million, DSi XL sells 700,000.

Following a rough 2009, Nintendo today issued its earnings report for the nine months ending December 31. The April to December period saw sales of ¥1,182.1 billion ($13.06 billion), a decline of 23.1 percent compared to the same time frame in 2008. Nintendo's nine-month net profit was ¥192.6 billion ($2.13 billion), down 9.4 percent year over year.

Wii Sports Resort was flying high with 13.58 million units sold.

Wii Sports Resort was flying high with 13.58 million units sold.

Though Nintendo blamed appreciation of the yen for much of the downfall, another reason for the decline was slowing sales of the DS. From April to December 2009, Nintendo sold 23.35 million units of the dual-screen handheld worldwide, down from 25.62 million during the same period in 2008. The 2009 total included 13.51 million DSis and 700,000 large-screen DSi XLs (currently available only in Japan as the DSi LL).

Wii sales also fell during the nine-month period, going from 20.5 million in 2008 to 17.05 million in 2009. The shortfall came despite Nintendo cutting the Wii's price in September from $250 to $200 in the US, from €250 to €200 in the EU, and from ¥25,000 to ¥20,000 in Japan. (In the UK, the Wii's recommended retail price of £180 remained unchanged, but Nintendo began bundling the console with Wii Sports Resort and the Wii MotionPlus accessory, along with the already standard Wii Sports pack-in.)

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks has sold 2.45 million units since its December launch.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks has sold 2.45 million units since its December launch.

In terms of software, some 121.38 million DS games were sold from April to December 2009, down from 163.78 million the year prior. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver was the top new title, selling 3.74 million units in Japan. (The game launches in March in North America and Europe.) Its forbearer, Pokemon Platinum Version, sold 3.1 million globally, followed by Tomodachi Collection's 2.74 million units. Finally, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks sold 2.45 million copies following its worldwide launch in December.

New Wii games posted higher totals, with Wii Sports Resort selling 13.58 million units worldwide from April to December. Global consumers also scooped up 10.55 million units of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and 10.16 million copies of Wii Fit Plus, the recently introduced reworking of Wii Fit.

108 Comments

  • TanakaPrime

    Posted Feb 1, 2010 4:00 pm GMT

    You can't sell more consoles if everybody already has them...right? Nintendo is a milking machine. While as great as they are, iterations of the same console or hand held will not automatically mean more sales. I sometimes think that Nintendo wants to rule the world when I read this kind of news...

  • iDefinition

    Posted Jan 31, 2010 6:27 am GMT

    Wow, epic fail is epic. And I mean it, EPIC.
    JUST looking at the 20 million and you cry about 2~ million, which is 10% of 20 million.

  • cspark809

    Posted Jan 29, 2010 5:21 pm GMT

    seriously seling new super mario over 10million copy is jus crazy!!!!!!!

  • Lugia_120

    Posted Jan 29, 2010 2:09 pm GMT

    @jjdomo
    Dude,you rock!


    Nintendo is not invincible everybody,sometimes the sales will fall.I can't understand why there are flames in such a peaceful news like this one.

  • chefstubbies

    Posted Jan 29, 2010 9:29 am GMT

    ...are they expecting people to buy the same console multiple times? Sales aren't always going to be through the roof, but that doesn't mean they're not still doing well.

  • silent_step

    Posted Jan 29, 2010 9:17 am GMT

    That bears no meaning. If sales were up everywhere the same argument could be made, the distinction to make is the disparity of the company's success rates.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:04 pm GMT

    Last I cheeked sales are down for every console and console software.

  • nintendo-wins

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 8:54 pm GMT

    Even though DS and Wii sales are down as do Nintendo's revenue, at least the company is profitable enough not to be in the red like some major companies last year.

  • wiidsduelpack

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 3:51 pm GMT

    DS: Its pretty logical. The price of games increased by $5. Thanks GS for starting this. Pokemon Heartgold and SoulSilver will be for $40. No reason DS sales will slow down.
    /
    Wii: PS3 and 360 have gained market share. Third party support is barely coming to the Wii. Nintendo already launched its best games. Same for the DS.

  • Flint247

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 3:22 pm GMT

    It's hard to believe people think NSMBWii is a port. -.-

  • silent_step

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 2:45 pm GMT

    These arguments are sad and pretty emotional rather than logical.
    1. There is no conspiracy to bash Nintendo over the last few years causing a lack of 3rd party development.

    2. Due to their innovations, it is harder for developers to make games rather than use current already developed programs. 3. Nintendo may make more in console sales, and generally video games for certain titles but overall xbox and ps3 games dominate the charts overall except for a few select spots like 1 or 2 (take that however you feel). 4. Instead, xbox cashes in on the service fees such as xbox live (similar to the central profits of WOW and such make up most of the profits that Nintendo gets from consoles if not possibly more). Rumors of PS 3 are floating around of doing similar items. 5. Nintendo diluted the audience base which is why most gamer audiences ignore Nintendo so I must ask if there actions are not warranted? If you are a cardinals fan, do you always listen to every bit of Cub news? 6. Casual gamers may buy a few games a year but "gamers" more than likely buy continuously throughout the year so more money can be flushed into the 3rd party and Sony/MCS.

    7. As for the sales, isn't it strange that Nintendo is producing larger amount of first party games rather than just one per generation? Is this to make up for the large disparity in sales? 1 LOZ per generation but now, 2 Mario, 2 LOZ, 2 Metroid, this isn't a first but a significant pattern is beginning to form it seems.

  • TheTenth10 posted Jan 28, 2010 2:21 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    TheTenth10

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 2:21 pm GMT (hide)

    since Nintendo built this generation by using lies and manipulation (Wii being next generation - with GameCube like hardware ... selling the motion controller to people that don't know anything about video gaming, thus exploting their innocence) it would be time sales drop greatly

  • racing1750

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:48 pm GMT

    @Pie4all

    Simple, Mario has been in lots of genres like sports, racing etc Halo has always been a FPS made by bungie, apart from Halo wars

  • SadPSPAddict

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:48 pm GMT

    Sales had to slow eventually. I have a Wii and a DSi and use the DSi a whole load more. (Also have a PS3 which is why I rarely turn the Wii on). Wii is great for Sports Resort and Band Hero both with the kids but.......

  • Bigbudd0045

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:39 pm GMT

    @DJ_vhat I ve had ever nintendo home console period (unless the virtual boy counts). Ive had a wii since launch, and a ds lite since launch, i love my ds. I never play my wii anymore. Its a great console for the casual market, but for the traditional gaming market it sucks. No storage space, the sd card solution is barely a solution and should have been there from the get go, the friend code situation is absolutely abyssmal, not enough that i friend a system, i have to friend in each game, and even then, no way to tell what my friends are playing, their online store has lots of great games, but the stores execution is awful. The wii has some great exclusives, but they are largely from Nintendo, i love the virtual console (over pricing aside), but why no leaderboards or online multiplayer? The wii isnt next gen, it was designed as a gamecube peripheral. the only people still defending nintendo are fanboys who need to justify their wii ownership. all that being said, im getting the next zelda when it comes out.

  • dRuGGeRnaUt

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:29 pm GMT

    .. well the sales are shrinking because people like me have never bought a full priced wii game. I have bought 2 bargin bin games: No More Heroe's $14.99
    Resident Evil: Chronicles $19.99
    I have bought two full priced games as gifts for the GF:
    Mario Kart Wii
    New Super Mario Bros. wii
    Keep in mind this is in like 3 years. In that time I have bought 37 xbox 360 games, not all at full price, but i mean COME ON. Nintendo have their amazing first party, but honestly a new mario game and a new zelda game every few years is not enough.. neither are direct ports for full price(ala NSMB wii)
    There are just no non-casual games that interest me on the wii, and i like the wii, i just wish it had the games to back it up.. 120 different games containing mario?? gimme a break
    http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/qna/584003.html?qid=60756

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:08 pm GMT

    pie4all88,

    To date The 'Mario Factory' has pumped out around 120 games that include Mario.

    http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/qna/584003.html?qid=60756

    Whereas there are currently only 5 Halo games with a 6th on its way, which is no real feat when you look at how many SF, Tekken, FF there are.

  • TQ_NintyNoE

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:05 pm GMT

    It's unsurprising to hear the Wii has dropped in sales. There are only so many people who can buy games consoles in the world, and I think that it's now reached it's mid-point. From here on out, it's going to see a decrease in Wii sales, and I'm sure the same can be said for the other consoles, particulary Xbox. I've been playing my Wii like a crazy dog, and there are some fantastic games on the system too. That said, Nintendo need to focus on the Wii's software. We wanted more Mii stuff from the beginning. It's little more than a cute avatar used in a handful of games. We need more depth.

  • DJ_Vhat

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 1:01 pm GMT

    Oh no! What will Nintendo do without their 3 billion dollar weekly salary!?!

    You guys make this to be huge, even though everybody else is doing much much worse.

    It's OK to hate the Wii because you are a fanboy (well, it's not), but sometimes you have to accept the facts and admit the Wii is a great console.

  • RockySquirrel

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 12:45 pm GMT

    Getting up off the sofa to play Wii is just fun... plain and simple. Any naysayer just has to lighten up and do some Wii bowling or join Little Mac in Punch Out... you won't regret it.

  • mario-nin-freak

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 12:36 pm GMT

    @chrispicard There still making a lot more than microsoft ever has
    and i'm sure their sales are sinking to, it's the economy, not "less popularity". Since nintendo markets to all age groups instead of just teens, they'll always be on top, unless microsoft uses it's head and makes kid games I actually like the xbox a lot, but I don't like the games

  • pie4all88

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 12:32 pm GMT

    Why does Gamespot call Nintendo the "Mario Factory" all the time? It's not like they crank out that many Mario games...Why not start calling Microsoft the "Halo Factory"?

  • chrispicard posted Jan 28, 2010 12:18 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    chrispicard

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 12:18 pm GMT (hide)

    nintendo's ship is sinking! man the life boats nintendo fans!... don't worry Microsoft has a rescue ship on the way... the good ship "Natal"... oh and leave your wii-motes behind, they'll only slow you down!

  • karnis

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 12:10 pm GMT

    nintendo lost me since i can't use motion control

  • RhythmMan posted Jan 28, 2010 11:30 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    RhythmMan

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:30 am GMT (hide)

    Time to go hi-def with a new console nintendo. Or just bring out the Wii-HD, and keep your innovative gameplay.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:30 am GMT

    Nintendo will support the wii themself if 3rd parties won't its simple as that

  • TheoleDominion

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:29 am GMT

    Come to think of it, I believe the Sega Dreamcast"s Phantasy Star Online pre-dates even Microsoft online attempts with the xbox.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:26 am GMT

    @HerbalVideogame
    Why are you putting nintendo down all the time?

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:22 am GMT

    Ugh... ayumi_miyazaki.

  • TheoleDominion

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:21 am GMT

    @ ayumi_miyazaki- First off, if you're a fan of Nintendo that's fine. But MS, Sony and Nintendo are ALL successful in their own right. For as STEALING ideas, you need to do some research your gaming history, Nintendo was NOT the first console-maker for homes (Atari Sega and others pre-date Nintendo) so they must have gotten/stole the idea and design from someone. Having a box that plugs into your TV with controllers connected to it was NOT Nintendos ideas. Secondly, their isn't a company around (Nintendo included) that hasn't stole an idea. Nintendo deciding to finally to put their games online was directly stolen from MS(in which at one point Nintendo was dead against). So let's come off the "holier than thou" attitude when it comes to companies. So if you dont believe that, you're truly naive.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:19 am GMT

    Nintendo gave them a chance to get in on the cash but they didnt in the way they should have and Nintendo knew this was possible to happen,.

  • Flint247

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:14 am GMT

    @jjdomo

    Couldn't agree more with ya. This "Hardcore vs casual gamer" garbage is just as annoying as the console debates. People should let people play what they want and stop being so "superior" over them.

    "Oh noes!11! You play Wii Sport Resorts and I play Gears of War 2! That means I am better than you! You are just a casual gamer noob!!!11! Get a REAL game!!1!"

    Get my drift?

  • Flint247

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:09 am GMT

    I still want Wii Sports Resort. I don't care what these people say about Wii, I bought a Wii for the "FUN" of it, not to be an "elitist hardcore" gamer.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:08 am GMT

    Can you imagine if Nintendo had never copied the western platform games of the 80's and not come up with Mario, where would they be now?

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 11:00 am GMT

    Not only that, but you'd also have consoles, with what they're currently selling at minus Nintendo, considered all but gone.
    With Nintendo gone, who would Sony steal ideas from? Microsoft? HAHAHA!!3rd parties thought they would get away with making games for the Wii with their C team and that would never work since Nintendo only has A teams working on games.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:58 am GMT

    Can you imagine this generation without Nintendo in the hardware business? Piles and piles of publishers everywhere (more than we already have), and all of them unable to compete with Nintendo (who they couldn't run away from like they do now). All of them forced to make really expensive HD games thanks to the technological bullying of Sony and Microsoft.

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:57 am GMT

    Not only is their software so far above everyone else in the industry, but just a small glance backwards show they're also the only ones innovating on the hardware front.

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:56 am GMT

    What I really want to know is how many GAMES each console sells.
    \
    \
    Not what the best one game was. I wonder if the crap 3rd party does anything for Wii? \
    \
    Someone find this data..........Gamespot??? I am sure that many would find it interesting, and you get paid to do it, just like Ron Jeremy .

  • ayumi_miyazaki

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:54 am GMT

    Virtually every single innovation in controlling games in the last 30 years has come about thanks to Nintendo.

  • slyfox_28

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:38 am GMT

    @ jjdomo

    Yeah i know what you mean. I always thought of "hardcore" as play any and every games you can get your hands, good or bad. Yeah your gonna have your favorites (games, genre, etc) that you keep going back to, but never just settle on one. Maybe thats just me, or maybe i'm OCD, I don't know. I know I always try to play them all for the last 25 years I've been play games.

  • jjdomo

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:18 am GMT

    i hate when people use the term "hard core gamer." What does that even mean? Most fanboys call themselves hard core because they play first person shooter games online. Big deal--how does that make you hard core? I'd say that those people who devote unbelieveable amounts of time to their Wii games like Animal crossing are just as hard core as someone playing Halo over xbox live. It's about how you play, not what you play.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:13 am GMT

    MS and Sony dream of having these problems.

    Nintendo's worst month is better then thier best...

  • Bangerman15

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:11 am GMT

    i still need wii sports resort, looks as fun as wii sports but maybe better idk i havent played it :/

    and of course the sales were gonna drop, they were wayyy too high lol it wasn't gonna stay like that forever, and even since they did drop, the sales are still good XD

  • slyfox_28

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:05 am GMT

    @ fps_d0minat0r

    I never once said it was completely on par with ps3/360, but give credit where credit is due man. They kept almost everything that ps3/360 versions had minus the graphics and online communication features (mic). The online portion is better than any other game on wii that provides that option (even Mario Kart). May not graphically the same level, but everything else I would defiantly compare the quality, especially the game play.

    Also you can't give a fair opinion on just a video alone all the time, even though you said you played it.

  • Rippou

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 10:00 am GMT

    Regardless, those sales are awesome.

  • fps_d0minat0r posted Jan 28, 2010 9:54 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 9:54 am GMT (hide)

    @ slyfox_28
    best for the wii but not half as good as ps3, xbox and pc versions. you know it so why do you act as if its on the same level of quality?

    and i dont need to own or play it, i can just see how lame it is on a video, that arguement about owning stuff is lame, i dont know why people keep bringing it up time and time again. even though i have played COD reflex and few other wii games.

  • slyfox_28

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 9:50 am GMT

    @ fps_d0minat0r

    Have you even played reflex? Do you even really own a Wii? Reflex has proven to be the best shooter so far on the Wii. Play before you comment.

  • slyfox_28

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 9:47 am GMT

    @ angelGP32

    I'm not too sure what your disagreeing with me about due to the fact that in my last comment I was talking about these so call "hardcore" fanboys who always come out of the wood-works whene articles like these are posted with the tried and unnecessary comments that we've heard time and time again, and its always the same usual suspects. However, in your last comment, at least you broke down your opinion in a logical manner. GS defiantly needs more of that of communication rather than just a slanted view.

  • fps_d0minat0r posted Jan 28, 2010 9:46 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Jan 28, 2010 9:46 am GMT (hide)

    @ ayumi_miyazaki

    or maybe 3rd party developers dont think the wii has the capability to run hardcore games? as proven by COD4 reflex.

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