Nintendo is one of the most renowned and influential companies in the gaming industry and has positively affected the world of interactive entertainment for decades.

With evolving technology and shifting consumer preferences, however, it is only natural to ask one question: does Nintendo have a future in the video game industry?

Overall, Nintendo will continue to thrive off the success of its innovative products including Nintendo Switch and its successor, through its expansion of gaming properties in non-gaming industries such as movies and theme parks, and by connecting with its fans by releasing top quality, fun games for everyone.

In fact, Nintendo is the industry leader in terms of consoles sales as of April 2024.

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 139 million units and is the second best-selling home console of all time with over 1 billion units of software sold.

Nintendo is not going anywhere . . . accept into living rooms, theaters, and onto our various screens of course.

Now, let’s delve deeper into a few key aspects that showcase Nintendo’s potential for success and sustainability in the coming years.

1) Nintendo’s Powerful Franchises and Innovation

One of Nintendo’s greatest strengths lies in its iconic slate of franchises.

Nintendo’s Legacy Of Fun

From the timeless charm of Mario to the epic adventures of Link in The Legend of Zelda series, Nintendo’s characters have captivated generations of gamers.

Donkey Kong defined a generation’s introduction into arcade games while the original Super Mario Bros. did the same for home console gamers.

Pokémon transformed handheld gaming into must-play gaming for millions globally, from players aged 5 to 95.

And Super Smash Bros. introduced new and long time players to iconic Nintendo characters they may have never knew existed in a fun, frantic package.

No other developer rivals Nintendo’s gaming output

Nintendo’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality experiences built around their beloved franchises remains unmatched despite competitors’ best efforts to match their appeal.

No other developer rivals Nintendo’s gaming output in terms of concentrated, polished fun and sales volume.

And this is far from hyperbolic.

For example, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo Switch, 2020) has sold over 44 million units by being an important cultural milestone during the emerging COVID pandemic.

The relaxing life simulator provided millions with a quality virtual vacation getaway through the use of colorful visuals, upbeat animal companions, online social interactions between players, and a solid gameplay foundation.

Quite simply the Nintendo magic at work, satisfying a global segment of happy fans.

Nintendo Loves To Innovate

Nintendo not only has a reputation of creating genre defining, best-in-class software that resonates with millions, but the company also has a remarkable track record of innovation.

The company released novel hardware such as the handheld portable Game Boy (1989) and the Nintendo Entertainment System (1983/1985; known as the Famicom in Japan) which revitalized the gaming industry into what it is today.

The gaming giant also innovated by introducing motion controls with the release of Nintendo Wii (2006) which brought gaming to a wider audience, while the portable and hybrid nature of the Nintendo Switch (2017) revolutionized how, when, and where we play.

This ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries and finding new ways to engage players keeps Nintendo at the forefront of the industry.

It also keeps us fans excited and invested in what the giant gaming company does next.

2) Nintendo Embraces New Markets

Nintendo is not confined to the traditional console market alone.

The company has successfully diversified its offerings through ventures like mobile gaming, theme park collaborations, and traditional entertainment offerings over the course of the 2010s and 2020s.

Nintendo Makes Mobile Games

Nintendo has effectively reached a massive audience that may have previously been unfamiliar with their games by adapting their gaming properties to smartphones and tablets.

Combined, Nintendo’s top four most popular mobile apps have over 600 million downloads.

Hundreds of millions of players that didn’t have access to Nintendo games now have access to Nintendo content anywhere they are.

This expansion of Nintendo properties into the mobile gaming space has also proved financially lucrative for the company.

Nintendo’s expansion into non-gaming industries has satisfied millions of fans

Nintendo’s handful of big-brand, high quality mobile games grossed over 350 million dollars for the company’s 2023 fiscal year alone.

To provide insight, their highest earning mobile title Fire Emblem Heroes (2017) has grossed over 1 billion dollars in revenue since its release while Mario Kart Tour (2019) has grossed 282 million dollars in revenue and counting.

That’s a lot of coins!

Nintendo Has Its Own Theme Parks

Meanwhile, Nintendo’s partnership with Universal Studios generated mass excitement for immersive experiences with the construction of the Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal amusement parks in Osaka, Japan as well as Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, California in the United States.

Additionally, a Donkey Kong Country expansion was added to the Super Nintendo World theme park in Universal Studios Japan in the latter half of 2024.

This expansion just shows Nintendo theme parks are mega popular, exciting to customers, and in-demand.

As a result, Nintendo-themed theme parks further expand the company’s brand to audiences beyond video gaming.

Parents are now able to introduce their children to Nintendo characters at a young age by simply bringing them to a family-friendly theme park.

Doing so, in turn, creates life-long Nintendo fans that may translate to new gamers picking up and playing Nintendo’s wide range of software.

Amusement park expansion has helped Nintendo grow its fans base, create fun for its customers, and ensure the company remains relevant in today’s world.

Arguably, the same can be said for Nintendo’s long awaited return to theaters.

Nintendo Return To Movie Theaters

Nintendo’s brand expansion catapulted to new heights with the 2023 release of its highly anticipated Super Mario. Bros. animated movie produced by Nintendo, Universal Pictures, and Illumination.

The movie shattered all expectations and broke records while doing so. And was fun to watch!

In total, Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Movie grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide at theaters.

This makes the Super Mario Bros. Movie the

• first video game based film to gross over $1 billion
• highest grossing movie based on a video game
• biggest global opening weekend for an animated film ever
• third highest grossing animated film of all time
• fifteenth highest grossing film ever
• second highest grossing film of 2023

And Nintendo’s theatrical return doesn’t end with one movie.

On March 10, 2024, Nintendo announced it will be making an animated sequel to the Super Mario Bros. Movie with a planned release date of April 2026 in the United States and global markets.

Nintendo also announced it will be making a live action The Legend of Zelda movie via a press release on November 8th, 2023. Although, a planned release date was not shared.

The movie will be produced by Nintendo and Arad Productions Inc., cofinanced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda live-action press release noted the importance of creating movies based upon Nintendo’s gaming properties:

By producing visual contents of Nintendo IP [intellectual properties] by itself, Nintendo is creating new opportunities to have people from around the world to access the world of entertainment which Nintendo has built, through different means apart from its dedicated game consoles.

Nintendo Press Release

Nintendo’s theatrical movie momentum has simply started with the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and will continue into the future for years to come.

Nintendo’s Expansion Pays Off

Nintendo’s expansion into non-gaming industries has satisfied millions of fans while proving to be financially rewarding, to say the least.

More people around the world are enjoying Nintendo properties thanks to the company’s mobile game, theme park, and theatrical movie initiatives.

Suffice to say, it’s an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan for sure!

3) Nintendo’s Has Strong Community Engagement

Nintendo’s dedication to cultivating a passionate and loyal community is a strength that keeps getting stronger.

Nintendo Directs Are A Lot Of Fun

Through initiatives like the Nintendo Direct presentations (pre-recorded videos that share in-depth details on upcoming releases, features, or upcoming events), the company prioritizes direct communication with fans, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and appreciation.

Nintendo continually evolves and caters to a wide range of player’s interests

Online Nintendo Direct videos tend to reach over 1 million views, penetrating mainstream audiences.

The Nintendo Directs are highly speculated beforehand by Nintendo communities across the web, bringing like-minded fans together to converse with enthusiasm over Nintendo’s latest offerings.

There’s nothing better than connecting and commenting with others about what games may or may not appear in Nintendo’s latest video presentation.

Nintendo Supports Online Gameplay

Nintendo has also demonstrated the ability to adapt to market demands by embracing online multiplayer.

The company has developed popular internet enabled titles like the Splatoon series, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Tetris 99 to name a few.

More so, most multiplayer Nintendo games feature major online connectivity as well, providing the modern connected world with features its fans demand.

Games like Pokemon allow players to trade monsters virtually while Endless Ocean: Luminous (an underwater scuba diving exploration experience) provides up 30 players to connect online and explore the ocean floors together.

Nintendo remains relevant and engaging by continually evolving and catering to a wide range of players’ interests with its broad portfolio of fun titles.

And there is no signs the company will be slowing down.

Nintendo Is Here To Stay

While the future may hold uncertainties for any company, Nintendo’s future is extremely promising based on its historical and modern successes.

The company’s combination of cherished franchises, commitment to innovation, expansion into new markets, and strong community engagement has created a financially solid foundation for continued growth and success.

Nintendo’s future is extremely promising

Nintendo’s best days lie ahead as long as the company continues to utilize its beloved characters while remaining creative and fun.

Thus, the gaming giant is well-positioned to remain a prominent and driving force in the gaming industry.

And I, for one, am ready to enjoy Nintendo’s newest creations whenever they arrive!

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Images credited. All others owned by Nintendo or respective owners. Screenshots taken by me.

SOURCE: Nintendo’s Historical Corporate Sales Data