44 Nintendo Statistics and Facts [2024]

Nintendo is a Japanese multinational company specializing in video games and video game consoles.

Known primarily for its handheld and home consoles, the Nintendo brand remains a consistent and influential player on the international market.

With such a long history and so many popular products, there is plenty of fascinating information to discover about Nintendo for general fans and gamers alike.

Nintendo Stats Highlights

Nintendo’s popularity is well-earned, and the numbers are there to back it up. Here’s a sampling of the most exciting Nintendo stats.

• Nintendo has sold over 107 million hardware units.
• The release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revitalized the gaming industry after the 1983 crash.
• The Nintendo Switch, the brand’s most recent home console, surpassed the entire lifetime sales of the Wii U. A few times over.
• The Switch is currently behind 85% of Nintendo’s yearly revenue.
• There are five Nintendo products in the top 12 best-selling consoles.

General Nintendo Stats

Nintendo has been offering consoles since the 1980s, which means there’s so much to find out about this company. It was originally founded as a playing card company in 1889 and has since gone on to change the video game industry’s history.

Mario Is Nintendo’s Most Profitable Franchise

(Source: VG Sales)

Among Nintendo’s many successful franchises, Mario is the clear winner in terms of sales. Overall, the Mario series has achieved over 770.66 million units sold. Super Mario, in particular, sold over 395 million units, followed by Mario Kart with 164 million units and Mario Party with 67.09 million.

The Pokémon franchise is the second top earner, with 380 million units sold. The third is the Wii Series, with 204.73.

Nintendo’s Longevity Has Garnered Numerous Game Titles

(Source: Nintendo)

While the first console Nintendo made, the Color TV-Game was not released outside Japan, the brand has been an expert in the product for over forty years. All these decades of expertise have led to it being one of the most successful video game console brands in history.

Publishers are always eager to collaborate with the company, and the Nintendo eShop currently has over 6,700 titles available.

Nintendo Entered a Huge Partnership With Niantic in 2021

(Source: GameIndustry)

In 2021, Nintendo partnered with Pokémon Go developer Niantic. This was a new path for Nintendo, seeing as it very rarely invests in mobile apps. This partnership can be easily understood. Nintendo’s stake in Pokémon Go back when the app was first released in 2016 won it 23 billion USD in the first two weeks post-launch.

Nintendo Is Continuing To Invest in Its Best Franchises

(Source: Nintendo)

Nintendo is highly aware of what makes its most popular franchises work: the fans. The brand is still investing in developing games for its most loved series, from Pokémon to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

A sequel to the latter title is currently in the works and set to be released in 2023 after a slight production delay. Titles in the Pokémon, Splatoon, Bayonetta, and Kirby series are also expected soon.

Nintendo Theme Parks Are Colorful Additions to the Brand

(Source: Nintendo)

The first Super Nintendo World opened in March 2021 in Japan. The Hollywood, Singapore, and Orlando versions are under construction, and a Donkey Kong expansion area is also planned. Nintendo is embracing the success of its many games by bringing them even closer to the loyal fanbase.

The Nintendo Switch Is a Sought-after Deal

(Source: City AM)

In the UK, Nintendo Switch became the most searched deal during Black Friday. People searched for it over 26,000 times during that time period, which made it the most coveted tech deal.

This shows part of the immense popularity behind the Switch, which continues to keep it at the top of Christmas gift lists too.

Nintendo Has Fewer Than 7,000 Employees

(Source: Statista)

In the 2021 fiscal year, 6,574 people were employed by Nintendo. In 2011, the brand had 4,712 employees. In 2013, it reached the 5,080 mark, and then in 2020, it surpassed the 6,000 mark.

While not a huge employee pool, Nintendo has had a stable workforce that contributes to its many successes.

Nintendo Invests Heavily in Worldwide Ad Campaigns

(Source: Statista)

In the 2021 fiscal year, Nintendo spent 84.45 billion yen on advertising expenses. This is the equivalent of approximately 763 million USD. 2021 marked the highest investment in advertising expenses for the brand in recent years.

In 2015, Nintendo spent 54.83 billion yen on advertising. In 2020, it invested 76 billion yen. The brand is aware of how much great advertising campaigns across media can impact sales.

Nintendo Switch Online Had a Subscriber Boost in 2021

(Source: Statista)

Nintendo Switch Online is the online subscription service that is at the disposal of Switch users. In 2021, the service reached a milestone of 32 million subscribers. In 2020, it had 26 million subscribers, while in 2019, it had 10 million.

This stratospheric rise is even more apparent when compared to 2018, a year after the Switch launched when it had 3 million subscribers.

Nintendo Switch Online Is Popular With All Types of Gamers

(Source: Statista)

In the US, over 27% and the majority of Nintendo Switch Online subscribers are Twitch streamers. 24% are console gamers, while 21% are PC gamers. 17% of subscribers describe themselves as avid gamers, while 10% are casual gamers interested in sampling the perks of the online service.

Most Nintendo Employees Are Under 40 Years Old

(Source: Nintendo)

The average age of Nintendo employees is 39, per the annual report released by the company. The fact that most of the workforce is under 40 helps with keeping the brand relevant and on-trend with the ever-changing times.

The Majority of Nintendo Employees Are Based in Asia

(Source: Nintendo Everything)

It may come as no surprise that the bulk of Nintendo’s operations is based in Asia. The brand has 2,500 on the continent, with the majority (80.5%) of them being men. 1,256 employees are in the US, of which 63.5% are men. In Europe, Nintendo has approximately 900 employees, 62% of which are men.

Australia has the smallest Nintendo employee contingent and the only current female majority: there are 91 employees, and 47 of them identify as women.

Nintendo Market & Sales Stats

The financial aspects of Nintendo are another fascinating layer to unfold and find out more about the brand’s success around the world.

Nintendo Made Almost 16 Billion in Net Sales in 2021

(Source: Statista)

In the 2021 fiscal year, Nintendo had 15,990 billion USD in net sales. It had the highest net sales in 2009, with 18,761 billion USD, but it has enjoyed a stable level through the years.

Net sales fell under 10 billion USD from 2012 to 2018 but have once again surpassed that mark since. 2021 has been its highest year in net sales since 2009.

The Switch Is Nintendo’s Current Top Revenue Earner

(Source: Statista)

The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017. In 2018, it shot to the top of Nintendo’s revenue-earning products with 753,459 million yen in sales. This trend continued, with the Switch currently still at the top of the list.

In 2021, the Switch brought in 1,67 trillion yen.

Since the Switch Launched, Nintendo’s Overall Profit Has Grown

(Source: Nintendo)

Since the Switch came out in 2017, both hardware and software revenue has increased. In the past five years, Nintendo earned a total of 59.8 billion USD. Most of this revenue came from hardware, seeing as every Switch unit is sold at a profit.

Hardware brought in 33.16 billion and 55% of the revenue. Software brought in 26.63 billion USD and 45% of the revenue.

Nintendo Makes More Money From First-party Games

(Source: Nintendo)

In direct contrast to Sony, Nintendo makes more money from first-party titles than third-party.

In Q3 of 2022, Nintendo earned 2.2 billion USD from first-party game sales. This accounted for 84% of total game software sales revenue, while third-party game sales made 16% of revenue.

Nintendo Earns More From Physical

(Source: Nintendo)

During Q3 of 2022, Nintendo earned a total of 2.7 billion USD from video games. 1.76 billion, or 68%, came from physical sales.

Digital accounted for 818 million USD in earnings or 32%. Nintendo’s digital revenue comes from Switch Online subscriptions, game add-ons, microtransactions, DLC, and software sales.

While a significant part of Nintendo’s revenue, digital earnings are not Nintendo’s top earners, which sets it apart from direct competitors like Sony.

Nintendo Earns Most From the Americas

(Source: Statista)

In 2021, Nintendo earned 731 billion yen in revenue in the Americas, its top region for sales. This amounts to around 6.65 billion USD.

Europe was the second region for revenue, with 441 billion yen, followed by Japan with 397 billion yen. Nintendo generated 189 billion yen in the rest of the world, but the Americas are clearly its highest-grossing region.

Nintendo Made Over 4 Billion in Net Income

(Source: Statista)

Nintendo made 4.4 billion USD in net income in 2021. In 2020, it made 2.4 billion USD in net income, and in 2019 it made 1.7 billion USD. This is following a stable trend in net income after experiencing a slump in net profit from 2011 to 2017.

Hardware Is the Overall Earner

(Source: Statista)

In 2022, Nintendo made 4.16 billion USD in hardware sales revenue. In 2020, it hit a record of 7.61 billion USD, thanks to the huge surge in popularity of the Switch during the pandemic. While this revenue is significant, it is projected to decrease in the coming years.

Hardware revenue is already on a downward trend after the years of surge that will culminate in 1.38 billion USD in revenue in 2025.

This is influenced primarily by the lack of announced production on a video game console to follow the Switch. Nintendo currently doesn’t have a ninth-generation console to directly compete with the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S.

Nintendo Is Third in Hardware Revenue

(Source: Statista)

Despite competing against next-gen consoles from its direct competitors, Nintendo ranks third when it comes to hardware revenue. Earning 4.16 billion USD from hardware puts Nintendo close to Xbox, which earned 4.23 billion USD in 2022.

Sony’s PlayStation is the only unreachable figure, at 9.19 billion USD in hardware revenue in 2022.

Nintendo Console Stats

Nintendo is most known for its huge array of consoles, from handhelds like the DS and home video game consoles like the Switch. The varied selection and massive popularity of the consoles set Nintendo apart, and there are fascinating figures to take into account.

The Nintendo Ds Is Nintendo’s Most Sold Console

(Source: Statista))

The DS was released in 2004 to great acclaim. It has since surpassed 154.09 million units in lifetime sales, which makes it Nintendo’s most sold console overall. This iconic handheld introduced wireless connectivity, a built-in microphone, and co-op playing over Wi-Fi.

It was very innovative for its time and became a trendsetter for following handheld consoles.

The DS also featured dual screens, one of them with touch functionality.

The Most Unit Sales of the Ds Were in North America

(Source: Statista)

Of its 154.09 million lifetime units sold, 57.39 million Nintendo DS handhelds were sold in North America. 52.07 million were sold in Europe, while 33.01 million were sold in Japan. The rest of the world enjoyed 12 million units of the DS.

The Game Boy Sold Over 100 Million Units

(Source: ScreenRant)

The Nintendo Game Boy was released in 1989. The Game Boy series of handheld consoles made gaming history and has gone on to become Nintendo’s second most sold console ever. In its lifetime, the Game Boy sold 118.69 million units around the world.

The Switch Broke New Ground

(Source: Nintendo)

After initially released to a lukewarm response due to the shadow of the Wii U’s market failure, the Switch has smashed through numerous records in its five years. In its first year, the Switch sold 13.12 million units, followed by 16.34 in 2018 and 19.28 in 2019.

Then, in 2020, Switch sales had a huge boost during the pandemic, suddenly hitting the record of 28 million units sold around the world. In 2021, the Switch sold 25.02 million units.

The Switch Is in Direct Competition With Next-gen Consoles

(Source: 2018)

Due to its 2017 release, the Nintendo Switch became part of the 8th generation of video game consoles.

The PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S, released in 2020, are the 9th generation. Despite this, the Switch is holding its own against them and has soundly beaten them in sales for two years running.

In 2020, the PS5 sold 4.39 million units while the Xbox Series X/S sold 3.03, versus the Switch’s 28.3 million units. In 2021, the Switch sold 25.04, while the PS5 bounced back with 12.59 million units sold, followed by the Xbox Series X/S with 8.75 million.

The Switch Surpassed the Original Playstation and the Wii in Sales

(Source: Statista)

The Switch has now sold over 103 million units. This has turned it into Nintendo’s third best-selling console of all time and the top one in-home game consoles. It also allowed it to surpass both the original PlayStation, at 102.4 million units sold, and the Wii, at 101.6 million units sold.

The Switch Is the Third Most Sold Console in the World

(Source: Statista)

When it comes to home video game consoles, the Switch’s huge sales have now placed it third on the list of best-sellers. Only the most popular PlayStation models are in front of it, and they have both been on the market longer.

The PS2 is first, with 155 million units sold since its release in 2000. The PS4, released in 2013, follows with 116.9 million units sold. The Switch, with its 103.5 million units, is not too far behind them.

Only the Ds Sold 100 Million Units Faster Than the Switch

(Source: Niko Partners)

While the Switch hit the 100 million units sold milestone faster than either the PS2 or the Wii, it is not the quickest Nintendo console to have achieved this record.

That honor goes to the Nintendo DS handheld console. In terms of home video game consoles, however, the win goes to the Switch.

The Switch Had a 33 Month Streak of Being the Market’s Leading Platform

(Source: NPD Group)

In November 2018, the PS4 was the market leader in unit sales. From then until September 2021, for an unprecedented 33-month streak, that honor went to the Nintendo Switch.

It was only after the release of the Switch OLED that it was dethroned in favor of the PS5. This is in part due to the issues with component shortages and distribution that affected the PS5 stretching to the OLED too.

The Wii Was a Sensation in 2006

(Source: ScreenRant)

The Wii was a full departure from the competition. Nintendo did not emulate the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in vying for HD gaming. Instead, the Wii introduced motion controls at a cheaper price point than its competitors.

Players got to enjoy motion gaming like never before, with Wii Sports reinventing what gameplay could offer. Since then, the Wii went on to sell 101.63 million units and was only surpassed by the Switch in 2022.

Nintendo Player Demographics Stats

Like any other video game company, Nintendo’s success hinges on providing players with what they need. Understanding who these players are can go a long way in ensuring they have a great catered experience.

Nintendo Switch Is Most Popular With the 20-25 Age Range

(Source: Nintendo)

The first demographic stats for the Switch were released by Nintendo in November 2021, and they shed interesting light on the players using the console. Intriguingly, kids are not among the top age ranges. Instead, the 20 to 25-year-olds are currently the biggest fans of the Switch.

The Gender Gap Is Fading With the Switch

(Source: Nintendo)

Upon the launch of the Switch, there was a clear gender divide. In 2017, the Switch early adopters were 70% male and 30% female. By 2018, the ratio had become equal, with 50% male and 50% female players. Since then, women have become even more avid Switch gamers.

Female Players Doubled in 2020

(Source: Interpret)

At the very beginning of 2020, in the pre-pandemic days, 6.5% of Switch players during that time were women. By the end of 2020, with the huge boost in Nintendo Switch sales and the increased time spent at home, women became 13.2% of players on the console that year.

This shows not only the popularity of the Switch during the pandemic, especially prior to the release of the next-gen consoles but also the effect of that huge change in circumstances.

The Switch Has Huge Numbers of Annual Playing Users

(Source: Niko Partners)

The annual number of playing users on the Nintendo Switch in 2021 was 87 million. Any gamer who played on the Switch at least once during the year is included in this statistic. Between April and September of 2021, 79 million users played on the Switch.

This record is expected to be broken by the end of 2022.

Players Should Expect Nintendo To Expand Its Ip

(Source: Niko Partners)

While Nintendo is not planning on announcing a new console in the near future, it is focusing on expanding the number of people accessing its IP.

The plan is to create a Nintendo ecosystem with various entertainment areas, shops, theme parks, and IP movies and visual content. This is meant to become an immersive experience for Nintendo fans.

Switch Players Have Evened Out Their Session Length

(Source: EEDAR)

When the Nintendo Switch first came out, early adopters spent more time gaming during the week. At the time, 59% reported spending 11 or more weekly hours playing on the Switch. Since then, the percentage has evened out between those spending more than 11 hours on it and those spending 6 to 10 and 1 to 5.

The Average Spending Range for Switch Users Is $100 to $249.99

(Source: EEDAR)

Early Switch adopters were more likely to spend higher amounts. 40% of users stated that they would spend between $100 and $249.99 per year on gaming. Many even said they would stretch that to $499.99 per year.

Since then, 30% have claimed to spend between $.01 to $99.99 per year on gaming, with 37% still prepared to spend up to $249.99.

Households Are Opting for Multiple Nintendo Switch Consoles

(Source: Niko Partners)

There is an ongoing shift from ‘one Switch per family’ to ‘multiple per household .’The release of the Lite and OLED versions of the Switch has even made ‘one per person’ more of a likelihood.

This shift is due to Nintendo focusing on diversified gaming and on various upgrades that appeal to everyone.

Nintendo Game Stats

Nintendo is not only known for its consoles but also for the many games it has released through the decades. Let’s look at the most entertaining data about the Nintendo titles.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Is the Best Selling Switch Game

(Source: Statista)

As of December 2021, the worldwide top-selling game title for the Switch was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with 43.35 million units sold.

This was followed by the highly-successful Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with 37.62 million units sold, and by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 27.4 million units. 

Wii Sports Is the Top Selling Nintendo Wii Game

(Source: Statista)

Wii Sports is by far the worldwide top-selling game title for the Nintendo Wii, with an impressive 82.9 million units sold by September 2021.

It is followed by Mario Kart Wii, with 37.38 million units sold, and by Wii Sports Resort, with 33.14 million units sold. Wii Sports allows users to enjoy everything the Wii has to offer while providing them with a workout too.

Donkey Kong Was the First Game to Feature Jumping

(Source: Polygon)

The first Donkey Kong was released in 1981 and was the first game to feature a jumping mechanic. The Donkey Kong series was a highly successful one for the following two decades and went on to sell over 40 million units as a franchise.

This platformer made history, and Nintendo cemented its influence on the gaming industry, even more when it released it.

New Super Mario Bros Sold the Most Titles on the Ds

(Source: Statista)

New Super Mario Bros established itself as the most popular game on the Nintendo DS. It sold 30.8 million units worldwide. This successful title was followed by Nintendogs, with 23.96 million units sold, and by Mario Kart DS, with 23.6 million units.

The Legend of Zelda Is Nintendo’s Fourth Top Selling Franchise

(Source: Statista)

The Legend of Zelda franchise is an immensely popular one and has sold over 135 million units. It is followed by the blockbuster franchise Animal Crossing, with 73.10 million units, and by Super Smash Bros, with 68.69 million. 

Super Mario 64 Introduced the Dynamic Camera System

(Source: Ultimate History of Video Games)

In a historic move that influenced all other 3D video games, the Super Mario 64 brought the innovative addition of a dynamic camera system. Until then, the static 1st person camera view was standard.

Super Mario 64 was released in 1996.

FAQs

Is the Nintendo Switch Popular in Japan?

In 2021, the Nintendo Switch became the most sold console in Japan.

It sold 5.3 million units there and far surpassed the sales of all its competitors, including the 3DS. Nintendo, in general, enjoys huge popularity in Japan, but the Switch, in particular, has been achieving huge records there with its three versions.

What Is Nintendo’s Value?

Nintendo currently has a market cap of 71.2 billion USD. It has a net worth of over 95 billion and is considered the third most valuable company in Japan. Most of Nintendo’s overall revenue comes from video game platform sales.

Does Nintendo Have Full Ownership of Pokémon?

The Pokémon Company has the rights for the license and the ownership of the brand. Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures are the three organizations collaborating behind the Pokémon Company.

Is the Wii Still Being Produced?

After discontinuing the Wii in 2013, Nintendo kept on developing the Wii Mini. It also took care of the Wii’s online features until 2019.

Is the Switch a Tablet?

Not quite. While there is a detachable part with a multitouch screen, the Switch was built for gaming, not for being a full-fledged tablet. When the detachable part is separated from the dock, there is no Wi-Fi support.

The Switch does not behave as a normal tablet because it is primarily a hybrid home video console. If you’re looking for more fun features, you can turn the touchscreen off and make it an additional gamepad.

How’s the Battery Life on the Switch?

Nintendo has stated that the battery on the Switch will last between 2.5 and 6.5 hours. When removed from the dock, how long it lasts without charge will depend on how resource-heavy each game is.

Final Thoughts

Nintendo has a long history of producing amazing video game consoles and video game titles. It is one of the most established yet innovative console companies ever. It has achieved numerous milestones and continues to strive for better. The Switch is one of the most beloved consoles made by Nintendo.