Nintendo lowers earnings forecast due to 3DS sales

Nintendo has lowered its forecast for the 2013 fiscal year, following lower-than-expected sales of the 3DS.

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Nintendo has lowered its forecast for the 2013 fiscal year, citing lower-than-expected sales of the 3DS. The company expected to sell 17.5 million 3DS units during the current fiscal year, but only sold 5.06 million in the first half, making its prior full-year figure unrealistic. Its forecast, originally slated at 20 billion yen (approximately $250 million) has been bumped down to 6 billion yen ($75 million).

Gamasutra reports that software sales are a bit more positive, as lifetime software has reached 64.45 million after 19.03 million in the first half of this year. Pokemon Black and White 2 alone accounted for 4.26 million of those sales, reaffirming the power of catching 'em all.

Nintendo's other hardware is continuing a steady decline. The original DS sold just 980,000, and the Wii sold 1.32 million. In both cases, being replaced by the 3DS or the impending Wii U is a major factor.

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  • reply
    October 24, 2012 9:05 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Nintendo lowers earnings forecast due to 3DS sales.

    Nintendo has lowered its forecast for the 2013 fiscal year, following lower-than-expected sales of the 3DS.

    • reply
      October 24, 2012 10:04 AM

      I think the fact that there's only been 2 "major" 3ds releases since Kid Icarus in March (Kingdom Hearts and NSMB2) might have something to do with it.

      The new software hitting this fall/winter should give them a boost but I don't think any of them are necessarily system sellers. I feel like the 3DS is in need of that quirky non-traditional title like brainage to really drive sales.

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        October 24, 2012 10:38 AM

        I actually really enjoy my 3DS but I agree... every once in a while I check to see if something new has come out... but there really hasn't been much. This latest Mario game doesn't interest me at all. Mario 3D World was an excellent, home console-class game... but that was a while ago now.

        I want to see a totally new kick-ass Zelda game announced for 3DS. That would be huge!

        I'm also hoping that Monster Hunter will finally 'break out' in the US when they release it for the 3DS. I really hope that game sells well because I REALLY want to see Monster Hunter 4 over here in the US!

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          October 24, 2012 10:47 AM

          Seriously, and in HD please!

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          October 24, 2012 10:57 AM

          I bought the new mario for my fiancee, she says it's actually pretty fun

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            October 24, 2012 1:08 PM

            I never owned a Wii (until a couple weeks ago when I got one for free) so I missed out on Mario Galaxy 1 and 2. I was very impressed with the 3DS game... it brought back some of those old feelings of Mario 64 which is a huge accomplishment in my book.

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            October 24, 2012 1:18 PM

            [deleted]

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              October 24, 2012 3:47 PM

              I'm going to assume you meant 'liked'. While NSMB2 was good, it was another Mario platformer that is again easier than its predecessors. The coin focus in NSMB2 is refreshing, but not nearly as novel as the level design in SMB3DL. The mushroom, flower, and star worlds were a bit more difficult, but no where near as challenging as SM3DL's special worlds. The latter had some levels that were particularly tough, especially if you're trying to 100% the game. I had no problem plowing through and getting 100% in NSMB2, took maybe two weeks. SM3DL took over a month, easy.

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                October 24, 2012 10:04 PM

                Yeah, I'm on S8 right now and loving the challenge. There are still a some people at Nintendo who really get level design. Sucks they weren't brought into the fold for the side scrolling games though.

                Overall I'd like to see Nintendo stop relegating anything remotely challenging to after you beat the game. The first few worlds of SML3D were straight up boring. Glad I stuck with it though.

              • reply
                October 25, 2012 6:46 AM

                [deleted]

        • Ebu legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
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          October 24, 2012 11:46 AM

          Oh shit, Monster Hunter might sell me a 3DS.

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        October 24, 2012 2:31 PM

        I just upgraded my 3DS to a 3DSXL last week, but mostly because I already owned a 3DS and it would be dumb to also get a DSiXL along side it

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          October 24, 2012 3:41 PM

          I'm waiting for the new Animal Crossing to get a second 3DS. If I don't, the gf will never let me play Mario Golf again.

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        October 24, 2012 10:30 PM

        [deleted]

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      October 24, 2012 11:22 AM

      ¥20B to ¥6B is a huuuge downgrade

    • reply
      October 24, 2012 2:02 PM

      pii u

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