Nintendo Posts Improved Financial Results after Wii U Launch

As we approach the end of the current fiscal year, Nintendo today have posted financial results for the third quarter - decrease in sales and a return to profitability.

Despite a steady and strengthening increase of the Nintendo 3DS hardware and software sales, this alone was not enough to offset the slowing performance of the older Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS hardware and software.

However even with a lower level of sales to date, there is good news for the Japanese game maker. The loss in operating income has lowered compared to the same period in 2011, with both ordinary income and net income returning now out of the red, establishing profit for Nintendo once again in these areas.

From March and into the next fiscal year, Nintendo are set to release a meaty selection of software to satisfy new hardware adopters and keep a continually steady stream of content following including a new Mario Kart, Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Wii Fit and LEGO City games on the Wii U. The Nintendo 3DS will leap another level with the sales potential in Animal Crossing: New Leaf and the more niche, yet popular Luigi's Mansion 2.

Nintendo also posted hardware and software shipped figures for the nine month fiscal period ending December 31st 2012, confirming that the Wii U has shipped just over 3 million hardware units to date and over 11 million software titles. It's exceptional news for the older Nintendo Wii as it grows ever closer to the 100 million mark after six years on the market.

Sales figures below are in millions of units:[table border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"]  [tbody][tr][td width="106" vclass="top" bgcolor="#E5E5E5"]Apr-Dec 2012LTD[tr][td width="106" vclass="top" bgcolor="#F3F3F3"]Nintendo DSHardware
Software*2.15
 30.24

Nintendo today confirmed that the new Wii U console has shipped  just over 3 million units globally so far since releasing in November/December 2012.

The Nintendo 3DS, despite it's continual growth and popularity, is now predicated to sell around 15 million units, down from 17.5 million. The Nintendo DS is still going fairly strong despite its age - forecast at 2.3 million units, down from 2.5 million.

What do you think of Nintendo's results and the Wii U's performance so far?

Cubed3 members are asking "Is anyone glad when Nintendo posts underwhelming sales"? What do you think - be sure to join the discussion in our forums.