Quoting GfK data, retailers have told MCV that Nintendo was the No.2 UK games publisher last week (in terms of software value) – almost entirely driven by sales of Pokémon titles. GfK predicts Nintendo, 3DS and the Pokémon series will enjoy a ‘remarkable’ spike in sales by the end of August.
Sales of Nintendo handheld hardware – so 3DS, New 3DS and 2DS – rose 18 per cent (by value) in the UK, a three-fold increase from before Pokémon Go launched. In units, sales are up 27.5 per cent.
The success highlights why Nintendo’s share price has risen so sharply on the back of Pokémon Go, despite the fact the company is not a direct beneficiary of the game’s phenomenal success. Nintendo does not wholly own the Pokémon IP – although it does hold a 33 per cent share in The Pokémon Company. The platform holder also has a stake in developer Niantic, Creatures Inc (which also has a share in The Pokemon Company) and holds the trademarks to the name ‘Pokémon’ and the game’s characters.
It also proves out the firm’s theory that the success of Nintendo IP in the mobile space will have a positive impact on its traditional console business, and not a negative one. Nintendo is working with mobile giant DeNA to create a network that will connect its mobile titles with its console games (Pokémon Go does not use this network).
The highest charting retail Pokémon game this week was Pokémon Omega Ruby at No.17.
MCV revealed last week that sales of Pokémon clothes and trading cards had also jumped up. Pre-orders for Pokémon Sun and Moon has also increased ‘exponentially’.
