Nintendo 3DS Sales High, Wii U Still Behind

Nintendo’s stocks have seen a significant rise lately, amid a surge in 3DS sales, especially in the U.S., and due to enthusiasm over upcoming Wii U original games.

The Japanese gaming giant’s stock just hit a two-year high and is on a steady climb. Another reason for this, according to analysts, is China’s recent decision to remove a ban on gaming consoles, which will give gaming industry players access to a fresh market with millions of potential customers.

The stock surge may come as a surprise, given the lackluster performance of Nintendo’s main gaming console, the Wii U. The console has been struggling worldwide since its launch two years ago, with only 3.45 million units sold as of March 31 this year.  The console has only managed to surpass one million units sold in Japan last week. Nintendo is expected to announce new sales figures for the machine at the end of the month.

Nintendo is hoping Wii U will match 3DS sales after new titles are released for the console.

The handheld 3DS console on the other hand was considered a failure a few years ago, but is now on top with other major players on the market. The 3DS has sold an impressive 225,000 units in the U.S. last month, retaining the number one spot in video game system sales for the second month in a row.

What primarily drove the 3DS sales were big-selling games such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Fire Emblem. And Nintendo is hoping that this is what can ultimately save the Wii U. The console’s poor sales were blamed on the lack of impressive gaming titles to accompany it.

But the company expects this to change, as it has plans to release new Wii U games at regular intervals, starting with Pikmin 3 in August, but also titles such as The Wonderful 101, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Rayman Legends and Super Mario 3D World.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata also voiced confidence recently that the Wii U will start selling better after the new titles are released, which will significantly improve the company’s public image. Iwata admitted that there were flaws in communicating the novelty of the new console, which may have contributed to the poor sales.

But he voiced confidence that the new software titles will allow gamers to understand and take advantage of all the unique aspects of the Wii U. What do you think?  Can all the new titles actually turn the tide in favor of the Wii U console?

[Image via ibtimes]