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Japanese gaming giant Nintendo's first-quarter profit rose 53.5% as strong demand for its Switch 2 console and the success of its latest Super Mario movie helped lift earnings. Nintendo Co., based in Kyoto, reported a profit of 147.4 billion yen ($933 million) for April-June, up from 96 billion yen in the same period a year earlier. However, quarterly sales fell 9.5% to 517.8 billion yen ($3.3 billion). Nintendo, like many Japanese companies, is also facing pressure from US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, along with higher prices for memory chips and other components. For the fiscal year ending March 2027, Nintendo expects profit to reach 310 billion yen ($2 billion), down nearly 27% from the previous year. Annual sales are forecast to fall 11% to 2.05 trillion yen ($13 billion). The company said it sold 3.82 million Switch 2 consoles worldwide during the quarter. Sales of the original Switch console and its games also remained strong despite the launch of the newer system. Switch 2 software sales totaled 9.46 million units during the quarter. Games such as "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" and "Pokemon Pokopia" were among the popular titles, Nintendo said. Nintendo is looking to maintain the momentum by expanding its game lineup. "Splatoon Raiders" was released last month, while new titles including "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" are in development. The company expects to sell 16.5 million Switch 2 consoles during the current fiscal year, nearly 17% lower than the previous year. Console sales typically decline after a strong launch year. At the same time, Nintendo expects game software sales to rise 23% to 60 million units during the fiscal year. Nintendo's shares rose 2.9% in Tokyo trading following the earnings announcement.

Nintendo Co on Wednesday said that it sold over 3.5 million units of its Switch 2 console worldwide in just four days after its release last Thursday, the fastest pace for any hardware of the company. Sales of Switch 2 were about double that of the original Switch console, released in 2017 in the first four days, according to the Kyoto-based gaming giant. Microsoft Unveils Majorana 1: A Breakthrough in Quantum Computing Kyodo News reported that Nintendo plans to sell 15 million units of Switch 2, its first new gaming console in over eight years, in the current fiscal year through March 2026 worldwide. Strong pre-order demand has sparked optimism that the device would boost the company's fortunes. The new console includes new features such as screen sharing and voice chat via a built-in microphone. It also features a larger screen with roughly twice the pixel count of the original Switch and supports 4K output on televisions.

Nintendo has revealed that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will introduce new features aimed at enhancing connectivity for gamers, including interactive chat and screen-sharing functions. During its 60-minute Nintendo Direct event, the company showcased a brighter, larger display on the Switch 2 and announced a range of games that will be available at launch. Meta hit with fines by Turkey after refusing to restrict content A key update is the new “C” button on the Joy-Con controller, which will activate a “GameChat” feature, enabling players to communicate with friends and family during gameplay and share their game screens. The system will also include a built-in microphone for chatting with others online. Another notable innovation is the ability to use the Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse. The developers demonstrated how this feature could be used in various games, such as adjusting a golf club’s angle in a golf game. Bitcoin investor buys an entire SpaceX flight The presentation also featured a first look at a new Mario Kart game, where in-game characters performed flips, tricks, and rail grinds. Additionally, Nintendo unveiled a new James Bond game, Project 007, inspired by the classic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter loved by fans. The Switch 2 will support backward compatibility, allowing it to play both physical and digital Switch games. However, users will need to purchase a new type of SD memory card, as standard SD cards will not be compatible with the system. Data from the original Switch can still be transferred to the new console. To promote the launch, Nintendo will host “Switch 2 Experience” events in several cities, including Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris, starting this month.