Hasta La Gadget!

Nintendo continues to see gaming hardware sales fall, but the company has trimmed losses and is pegging its hopes on Wii U as it slashes financial predictions. Numbers for the first half of 2012 confirm another drop in net sales, down to 200,994 million yen ($2.52bn) in the period of April to September 2012, with net losses of 27,996 million yen ($351m). Nintendo 3DS sales rose, up to 5.06m units, primarily thanks to the new 3DS XL, but Wii sales dived to 1.32m units.

Nonetheless, while it was a six month period of losses, those losses weren’t quite as dramatic as in previous years. Net loss was roughly half of what Nintendo suffered a year ago, while operating income – although still a loss of 29,159 million yen ($365m) – was still better than the 57,346 million yen loss in 2011.

Still to come is the Wii U, though Nintendo does point out that production costs for the console – which entered mass production in September – will have an impact on profits too. The company now expects to make just 6,000 million yen ($75m) in net income for the full fiscal year ending March 31 2013, rather than 20,000 million yen, based on a fall in predicted operating income and ordinary income.

The Wii U will go on sale in the US on November 18, priced from $299.99. The console features a new, tablet-style GamePad controller and smart TV functionality.

Nintendo trims losses as sales continue dive: slashes forecast by 70% is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Nintendo, dating back to the Nintendo 64, loves to re-release systems with different colors to boost sales. Often, these colors are solid, and aren’t a really great reason to get another system that you already own. But currently, Nintendo only sells two versions of its flagship portable system, the Nintendo 3DS XL. Right now, Americans are stuck with bright blue or bright red, and they’re kinda ugly. That could be changing soon. Nintendo announced today that they were expanding the 3DS line to include 5 new colors, including an all-black-everything model that’s very handsome. In addition to the new colors, there will be three patterned 3DS XLs. One has a dots-and-fruit patter, and it comes as part of a Animal Crossing bundle. Europe’s getting a bright yellow 3DS with Pikáchu emblazoned on it, in addition to a 3DS that comes with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed. Perhaps the most exciting announcement is the 3DS that comes with the Super Mario Bros. 2 Pack, which simply screams luxury with its patterned iconic question mark boxes, coins and mushrooms. Hey, Nintendo, if the whole Wii U thing doesn’t work out, I’d love to see you take Louis Vuitton on.

(more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Incredibly cute Pikachu-themed Nintendo 3DS XL can be yours for $239, New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush DLC arrives in US on October 4th,

Bored with the red and blue 3DS XL variants Nintendo is currently offering? If you live in Europe and like Pokemon enough to let everyone know, you’re in luck, because Nintendo has announced that its special edition Pikachu 3DS will be launching in Europe later this year. The handheld, which is bright yellow in color and features a large image of Pikachu on the front, was announced today during the company’s latest Nintendo Direct livestream.

Prior to this announcement, this 3DS XL was exclusive to Japan. There doesn’t appear to be a game that comes bundled with it, and pricing hasn’t been announced yet. A solid release date was also missing from Nintendo’s reveal, but the company does say that it’ll be available in Europe before the Sun sets on 2012.

Also unknown is whether or not this variant will make its way across the Atlantic to the US. Nintendo is notorious for launching variants of its handhelds and consoles that remain exclusive to Japan, so the fact that it’s launching in Europe is a good sign. Then again, if the US releases of Xenoblade and The Last Story are any indication, US consumers could be waiting a while, if they get it at all.

Don’t want to carry around a bright yellow 3DS XL that features Pikachu’s adorable little mug? Nintendo has you covered there too, as it will also be launching a special Mario Kart 7 bundle in Europe on November 17. The bundle features a white 3DS XL that comes with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed. Nintendo is keeping its mouth shut on pricing for this bundle as well, but we’ll keep an ear to ground for additional details. Stay tuned.

Special edition Pikachu 3DS XL lands in Europe later this year is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It seems Nintendo has taken Wesley Snipes’ advice and bet on black. Nintendo has announced that it will be launching a new black version of the 3DS XL, known as the 3DS LL in Japan, on November 1. The console has the same hardware, it’s just a black satin finish. Nintendo has some other new colors set to launch in Japan at ¥18,900 (~$240 USD) as well.

The other colors include a pink and white version, a silver and black version, a black and red version, and a blue and black version. Nintendo is also talking about some of its limited-edition bundle packs that will include the console and a video game. One of the bundle packs includes the Monster Hunter Tri G pack including a black console and the game – also landing on November 1 for ¥21,800 (~$277 USD).

There’ll also be a special Animal Crossing bundle for the ¥22,800 (~$290 USD), including a white console with various different colored dots and fruits on it. Perhaps most interesting is the Super Mario Bros. 2 pack that has a black and red console with little images from the game on the cover such as stars and the game’s iconic question mark boxes. That bundle pack will sell for the same price. There’s no word on if or when these special editions might come to the US.

If you live in Japan and aren’t already red-shelling on a Pokémon or risqué edition 3DS XL, maybe one of these three new bundles will inspire you. For the minimalists: the Monster Hunter Tri G bundle complete with all-black 3DS XL (known as the LL in Japan), releasing November 1st for 21,800 yen (approximately $280). Following one week later (on the 8th) is the Animal Crossing: Jump Out bundle with white and pattern handheld, setting you back 22,800 yen (approximately $290). And, for the same price, the pièce de résistance of the trio — a New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle with black and embellished red XL, expected November 15th. If you’re the importing type, or just want to see how good the Japanese got it, then check out the gallery below and pick your favorite.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

Nintendo releasing three new 3DS XL bundles in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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