Nintendo was earlier reluctant to hike forecasts, saying the boost from stuck-at-home consumers may prove transitory.
The jump in the sales forecast came as the Nintendo reported operating profit for April-September
Japan's Nintendo on Thursday hiked the sales forecast for its hit games console Switch to 2.4 crore devices in the year ending March 2021 from 1.9 crore previously, as the COVID-19 pandemic boosts consumer spending on home gaming.
The jump in the sales forecast came as the Kyoto-based gaming company reported operating profit for April-September tripled to JPY 291.4 billion (roughly Rs. 20,800 crores) from JPY 94 billion (roughly Rs. 6,700 crores) in the same period a year earlier.
Nintendo, home of the perennial Super Mario franchise, had been reluctant to hike forecasts despite blistering sales of its Switch system, saying the boost from stuck-at-home consumers may prove transitory.
But lockdowns and curbs imposed around the world to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus mean entertainment options remain curtailed for many as consumers look toward the year-end shopping season, pointing to continued demand for gaming.
Sony and Microsoft will both release next-generation consoles next week, adding to competition for the mid-cycle Switch, which launched in March 2017.
Sony's gaming chief said last week that pre-release demand for its upcoming console, the PlayStation 5, is exceeding expectations, with the tech giant raising its full-year forecast.
© Thomson Reuters 2020
Are iPhone 12 mini, HomePod mini the Perfect Apple Devices for India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.
Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.
Microsoft Announces Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build With Ask Copilot in Taskbar, Shared Audio Feature
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Specifications Leaked in Full; Major Camera Upgrades Tipped