2020 will be remembered as a landmark year for Nintendo, with the gaming giant smashing sales records and achieving unprecedented financial success. The company reported its highest-ever operating profit of $6 billion and its second-best annual revenue of $16.6 billion, underlining the robust demand for its innovative gaming solutions. Central to this success story is the Nintendo Switch, which now boasts a staggering 84.59 million units sold globally. This impressive figure positions the Switch well on its way to surpassing the Wii, Nintendo’s best-selling home console, which sold 101 million units.
The pandemic-driven surge in gaming, coupled with the runaway success of titles like 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,' which has sold 32.6 million copies, has undeniably contributed to Nintendo’s stellar year. Meanwhile, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' continues to dominate as a perennial favorite, surpassing 35.4 million copies sold.
Despite these accomplishments, Nintendo anticipates a decline in profits and revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022. This forecast reflects the challenge of maintaining the extraordinary sales momentum experienced during the pandemic. However, Nintendo’s strategy of re-releasing Wii U games for the Switch has proven lucrative, as evidenced by 'Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury,' which sold 4 million copies in just six weeks.
Looking ahead, Nintendo aims to sustain its momentum with a robust lineup of upcoming releases. 'Miitopia' is set to launch in May, followed by 'Mario Golf: Super Rush' in June, and 'The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD' in July. Additionally, Nintendo recently unveiled 'Game Creator Garage,' an exciting eShop game creation tool slated for release on June 11.
Beyond these, fans can eagerly anticipate the holiday season for the release of 'Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl,' with 'Pokémon Legends: Arceus' expected in early 2022. These releases underscore Nintendo's commitment to delivering engaging content and sustaining its market dominance.
As Nintendo navigates the post-pandemic landscape, its ability to innovate and adapt will be crucial. With its solid foundation and creative pipeline, Nintendo remains well-positioned to continue captivating gamers worldwide.
