Nintendo Financial Results Briefing: Fiscal Year Ended March 2018

The Nintendo financial results briefing for the fiscal year ended March 2018 outlines the company’s strategic focus on expanding the Nintendo Switch installed base, maintaining the Nintendo 3DS legacy, and scaling the smart-device business. Following a successful first year for the Switch, the primary objective for the upcoming fiscal year is to sustain consumer engagement through a consistent release schedule of major titles, such as the new Super Smash Bros. and Mario Tennis Aces, while leveraging the console’s unique hardware features to attract a broader demographic.

Key performance indicators highlight a significant shift toward digital revenue, which reached a record high of 60.8 billion yen, driven largely by downloadable software and add-on content for the Switch. The company also reported strong momentum for its software library, noting that titles like Kirby Star Allies and the Switch version of Bayonetta 2 outperformed their predecessors in initial sell-through. Furthermore, the Nintendo eShop ecosystem has seen rapid growth, with over 600 titles available from various publishers—a rate of expansion ten times faster than that of the Nintendo 3DS during its comparable launch period.

The smart-device segment remains a critical growth area, despite not yet reaching a satisfactory profit threshold. Nintendo continues to utilize evergreen titles like Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes to increase global access to its intellectual property. Future initiatives include the release of Mario Kart Tour and a partnership with Cygames for the new title Dragalia Lost. By integrating these mobile efforts with the continued support of the 3DS family—which has reached 72 million cumulative units sold—and the ongoing expansion of the Switch, the company aims to solidify its position across multiple gaming platforms while fostering deeper community engagement through events and upcoming subscription services.