Tokyo
\n The runaway success of the Switch 2 console drove up Nintendo\u2019s net profit by more than 50 percent in the nine months to December, the Japanese video game giant said Tuesday. But a global memory chip shortage, created by frenzied demand for artificial intelligence hardware, could push up manufacturing costs.
\nThe Switch 2 became the world\u2019s fastest-selling games console after launching to a fan frenzy last summer. It is the successor to the original Switch, which soared in popularity during the pandemic when games such as \u201cAnimal Crossing\u201d struck a chord during long lockdowns. Both are hybrid devices that can be connected to a TV or used on-the-go.
\nIn April-December, net profit jumped 51.3 percent year-on-year to 358.9 billion yen ($2.3 billion), and revenue nearly doubled on-year to 1.9 trillion yen, Nintendo said. But the firm kept its annual unit sales target for the Switch 2 steady at 19 million, and also held its full-year net profit forecast of 350 billion yen.
\n\u201cNintendo Switch 2 got off to a good start following its launch on June 5 and unit sales continued to grow through the holiday season,\u201d the company said. Nearly 17.4 million Switch 2 devices were sold in the nine-month period, it added. \u201cMaintaining momentum is certainly a big focus for Nintendo,\u201d Krysta Yang of the Nintendo-focused Kit and Krysta Podcast told media.
\nA lack of heavy-hitting first-party new games for the Switch 2 in coming months risks hindering growth, although third-party titles such as \u201cResident Evil Requiem\u201d should help fill the gap, she said. Nintendo said Tuesday it planned to release \u201cMario Tennis Fever\u201d this month and \u201cPokemon Pokopia\u201d in March. While the firm is diversifying into hit movies and theme parks, consoles remain the core of its business. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tokyo The runaway success of the Switch 2 console drove up Nintendo\u2019s net profit by more than 50 percent in the nine months to December, the Japanese video game giant said Tuesday. But a global memory chip shortage, created by frenzied demand for artificial intelligence hardware, could push up manufacturing costs. The Switch 2 became […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-529417","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n