Nintendo posted a new financial report today, and in a nutshell, things aren’t looking too good. The company’s net profit dropped a whopping 66% to $944 million in the fiscal year that ended March 31, compared with $2.78 billion in the same period a year earlier. Revenue in the same time frame fell 29.3% to $12.2 billion.

Nintendo actually posted a drop in full-year net profit for the second straight year, as the company saw weaker sales of the Wii and DS.

“Just” 3.61 million units of the 3DS were sold by March 31, for example, below Nintendo’s forecast of 4 million units (sales of the non-3D model fell by close to 10 million units to 17.5 million). Worldwide Wii sales dropped to 15.1 million units, down from 20.1 million last fiscal.

But here’s the good news: Nintendo officially announced a Wii successor, which will be unveiled (as a prototype) on June 7 during the E3 in Los Angeles and is scheduled to go on sale next year.

The Wii was launched in 2006 and has been sold 86 million times so far, but the Nintendo financials show it’s definitely time for a new model.

Image credit: Kaynil / deviantArt

A new DSiWare title gives users the ability to create computer programs using the BASIC programming language. Not only can users create their own programs, but it also comes pre-loaded with a few simple games that demonstrate the raw power of the language.

Oh: the name. It’s called Petit Computer, and it’ll be released in Japan on March 9.

It works as you’d expect: the touchscreen serves as a virtual keyboard, and then you use the stylus to input code.

The pre-loaded games include a Pac-Man clone, a shooting game (which is probably no worse than Black Ops), and an RPG.

Nintendo has let the world know that the DS is the single best selling video game console of all time in the U.S. Of all time~! It makes you wonder whether or not Nintendo really ought to be concerned at all with the likes of mobile phone-based gaming. After all, isn’t Angry Birds, the single most important video game of all time, now available on non-mobile phone platforms?

Nintendo has sold 47 million DS systems so far. That takes into account all the types of DSs out there: plain ol’ DS, DS Lite, DSi, and the DSi XL. I’m not sure if the 3DS will be considered part of the “DS family.” Clearly it will be big.

In other Nintendo sales news, they also managed to sale 34 millions Wiis to date, having added an additional seven million last year.

Happy days at Nintendo.

Both Sony and Nintendo reported their financials today. And in a nutshell, things look good for Sony and not so good for big N. As we reported earlier this week, Sony returned to profitability in the second quarter of this year. But we now have confirmed numbers.

Sony reported a net profit of $290 million as of June 30 (it suffered from a $296 million loss in the same quarter last year), with sales rising 4% to $19.5 billion in that time frame.

The company sold:

• 5.1 million BRAVIA TVs in that quarter, up a whopping 60% from the previous year
• 2.4 million PS3s as opposed to the 1.1 million Sony sold in April to June 2009 (there are now 38 million PS3s worldwide)
• 1.9 million PCs (800,000 more than in the same quarter 2009)

Things don’t look as good over at Nintendo. After reporting a $480 million profit in the second quarter of 2009, big N has now to suffer from a $290 million loss. Sales fell over 25% to $2.16 billion.

The problem seems to be the portable gaming segment. Nintendo says it moved “just” 3.15 million DS units in the quarter, compared with 5.97 million a year earlier. The company sold 22.42 million games in that time frame, down from 29.01 million.

Nintendo did confirm that this is a known issue, and they are looking into the problem. At this time though, they don’t have an ETA on when exactly you’ll be able to transfer games. The issue lies in the way the store is set up, and the fact that purchases are tied to a hand-held device, instead of an account.

[via 1Up]

Nintendo’s announcement of its new portable 3D gamimg device 3DS was very brief, prompting us to speculate about possible features and implications for the way people will play games in the future. But today the Nikkei, Japan’s Wall Street Journal, is offering a bit more insight (and the Nikkei is usually a very reliable source).

As a reminder, what we know so far is that the new hardware won’t require any glasses for users to see the 3D images, will be backwards compatible to DS and DSi games, make its debut between April 2010 and March 2011, and make its debut at the E3 gaming conference in Los Angeles in June.

Here are all new details the Nikkei was able to dig up:

- Nintendo says the 3DS will be the first device of its kind.

- It will be sold, probably in Japan first, in the latter half of this year.

- Nintendo considers giving the 3DS a 3D joystick, force feedback and an accelerometer.

- The company already secured patents for several 3DS-related technologies last year.

- Compared to its 2D-based predecessors, the new device will feature improved wireless communications speed and battery life.

- The screen will be not be larger than four inches (the DSi XL’s screen is 4.2 inches).

Another interesting thing to note is that Nintendo shares traded above 30,000 yen ($330) for the first time in over 11 months Wednesday (30,850 yen, which is 2,880 yen above Tuesday’s close). Investors have big expectations for 3D, it seems.

Via The Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

Big news from the Japanese video game world today: Nintendo announced [JP, PDF] they will launch a successor to the DS/DSi for the next fiscal year (which begins next month in Japan and ends in March 2011). And what sounds particularly cool so far about the Nintendo 3DS is that the new portable device won’t require any special glasses for users to see the 3D images, according to Nintendo.

Details are scarce at the moment (no price, no specs, no pics), but what’s confirmed so far is that “3DS” is just the tentative name of the device. It will be backwards compatible to conventional DS/DSi games (meaning it will have 2 cameras again) and is sure to hit Japanese stores first.

Just as a reminder, Nintendo will release their new handheld, the DSi XL, on March 28 in the US.

Nintendo also said they will give us more details about the DS sucessor at the E3 gaming conference in Los Angeles in June. Now let’s just hope the 3DS won’t be another Virtual Boy…

Raymond, who unearthed this info, talked only to devs and not Nintendo proper, so most of this information could be false. However, ‘tendo knows they need to keep moving lest they fall behind the iPhone juggernaut, so there’s definitely a chance he’s right.

Not a big deal but I just wanted to write a bit about replacing parts on your valuable and delicate electronics. Friends, I’m here to tell you that while it’s hard, it’s not impossible to fix things yourself.

Our old DS, the one my son uses, fell in an airport a few weeks ago and the hinge cracked. I decided to try to repair the case. A quick perusal of eBay found a bright blue replacement case for the DS for 2 cents (plus $12 shipping LOL!). A search for “DS replacement case” or something like that will bring up similar models. When it arrived I put the whole mess away for a while. They all come from the same knock-off Shenzhen factory anyway. Heck, this even came with a “real” Nintendo sticker with serial number.

I cracked the thing open and slowly worked through all of the screws and parts. I’m not that handy. I like electronics but I don’t like them when they’re in pieces. My buddy Paul is great at taking things apart while our own Doug Aamoth is a whiz at PC repair. I’m just a dilettante.

Anyway, a few hours later and I have a brand new DS. Most of the parts didn’t quite fit at first – I trimmed them with a pocket knife – and the stickers are a joke but it’s a good feeling to fix something that broke. I remember repairing cars with my Dad when I was a kid and since we don’t have a garage here where we can really tear down brakes or change oil, I expect to do little projects like this with my son over the next few years. Hopefully complexity doesn’t prohibit us from this sort of thing.

Our favorite protagonist, Link, will have a traveling companion this time around. Princess Zelda, herself, will accompany Link “on an original quest to save Hyrule from ruin.”

What’s not really talked about is that this is also a test of their relationship. If Link and Zelda can survive quests together, then maybe moving in together might be a logical next step. Perhaps a nice little loft in Hyrule’s up-and-coming section of Kakariko Village. If they’re able to really bear down and pocket enough Rupees along the way, they might even be able to put a down payment on a nice condo overlooking Lake Hylia.

From the looks of the above photo, it appears that things might be moving a bit fast for both Zelda and Link. But you know what they say: there’s no better way to test a relationship than by traversing strange and wonderful lands together, killing things along the way.

[ Press Release | Product Page ]

Developed by THQ, the game mimics the experience of being on The Biggest Loser Ranch just like the TV contestants, except that you get to live in your own house and you can keep eating delicious donuts with reckless abandon — it’ll be our little secret.

Choose from 4, 8, or 12 week programs full of “structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations” or create your own customized workout routines consisting of over 90 “upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises.”

While the Wii version appears to push most of the exercise stuff, the $30 DSi version (also compatible with the DS) serves more as a portable calorie counter and nutritional information system although you also get “complete exercise routines.” The Wii version is Balance Board compatible, although it’s not required.

Here’s more from the press release:

The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game is a fun and engaging way for players to get in shape and maintain their ideal fitness level. Set at The Biggest Loser ranch, players can take The Biggest Loser challenge and compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show, or work out with a friend to form a support system to see who really is The Biggest Loser. Players will work out to a series of structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations, or they can even create their own workout routines. Workouts include upper and lower body exercises, as well as core, cardio and yoga exercises. Progress is documented on a calendar that keeps track of in-game achievements, upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Players can also input exercise done while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride.

The interactive fitness game also features 50 healthy recipes from The New York Times best-selling book seriesThe Biggest Loser to help users learn how to eat right for optimal weight loss. Throughout the Wii workout program, suggestions and tips from contestants and trainers will also help guide players as they transform their lives via diet and exercise. The video game also features an interactive calorie counter that tracks what players are eating and recommends their daily intake based on individual height and weight and fitness goals.

When paired together, the Wii and Nintendo DSi/DS products become powerful training partners with Nintendo DSi/DS serving as a portable tool. Featuring nutritional information on thousands of foods, including menu items from some of today’s most popular restaurants, users can count their calories and even get healthy recipe suggestions on the go. Players can take their ‘trainer’ with them for food and fitness tips, as well as complete exercise routines that encourage them to stick to their wellness goals no matter where they are. To find out more information on The Biggest Loser interactive fitness game, go to www.biggestloserthegame.com.

Available in North America starting today and heading to the UK and Australia “over the coming months.”

Right now the number is at 6.68 million units but with the pre-holiday shopping spree almost here, that number is likely to skyrocket. It seems that simply adding a camera and installing new software actually does spur sales. Apple is probably banking on this concept with its upcoming camera-sporting iPods, natch.

GameIndustry.biz via GoNintendo

Band Hero is coming to the Nintendo DS this fall and, yes, you’ll be able to play drums and, double yes, there will be an actual drum peripheral for your DS. Nothing too fancy, just something called the “drum grip” that fits over the DS’ buttons and D-pad. Oh, and as luck would (not) have it, the drum grip won’t work with the DSi. So there’s that.

The included guitar add-on won’t work either — apparently the DSi is just too dainty to be able to support such accoutrements. So DSi gets you DSiWare and a camera and all that good stuff, while DS Lite gets you full Band Hero peripheral support. Oh, and Beyonce!

[via Kotaku]

Disney Interactive Studios announced today that French dev Etranges Libellules has begun development of videogame adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass to complement Tim Burton’s upcoming film, Alice in Wonderland. The Wii, DS and PC title take place a few years after both stories in Underland and players must help Alice battle the Red Queen and Jabberwocky.

The Wii and PC titles will follow the storyline of Burton’s film while the DS version pits Alice against the Red Queen’s Army. All three titles are due out the same week as the film release. A “promo” app will be released this December with a full release for the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Java/Brew devices in February of 2010.

BURBANK, Calif. – (July 23, 2009) – As Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll fans become curiouser and curiouser (Carroll, 1865) about Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” film, Disney Interactive Studios today announced development of video game adaptations of the beloved story. The video games, inspired by Tim Burton’s highly anticipated film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, find Alice several years after the original “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” stories. Alice in Wonderland for Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and Windows-based PC takes players on a topsy-turvy and immersive journey in Underland as Alice finds herself in a world of illusion and magic where nothing is quite like it seems. Alongside her endearing friends –Mad Hatter, March Hare, Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit – players aid Alice to defeat the Red Queen and Jabberwocky. Alice in Wonderland mobile games will begin launching later this year.

“These games fully capture the magnificent and whimsical world of Underland while experiencing key moments from the film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “More than just a retelling of the movie, Alice in Wonderland introduces fans to an entirely new style of innovative gameplay designed to challenge the puzzle solving skills of older players while making the adventures accessible and enjoyable for the younger crowd. Innovative gameplay and distinct artistic styles on each platform gives players a range of unique and engaging experiences.”

Alice in Wonderland allows players to guide, protect and aid Alice as she journeys through the world of Underland while unraveling the game’s many twisted mysteries. Along the way, players call on a diverse and unique cast of characters such as the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat who each have unique abilities to help evade traps and solve challenging puzzles. The Mad Hatter can help Alice alter her perception of Underland and take advantage of optical illusions to open up places in the world the player alone would not have noticed. Meanwhile, the Cheshire Cat can use his ability to make himself and objects appear and disappear helping Alice through this strange world. Players must choose wisely when using each of the characters’ powers and combine the abilities to solve more complex puzzles.

The Wii and PC versions follow the film’s epic storyline and introduce new fiction and locations. With an upgradeable combat system, players collect “impossible ideas” to replay levels and unlock Underland’s secrets. Players must carefully select the supporting characters and their abilities to defeat the numerous enemies set forth by the Red Queen and her army of cards, destroy the Jabberwocky and restore Underland back into Wonderland.

The Nintendo DS version will introduce a new twist as players guide Alice alongside her diverse and enduring friends to combat the legions of the Red Queen’s Army. Creating their own path through Underland using an oracle, players lead, protect and help Alice on her quest. The DS version features an innovative art style unique to the platform, a playable character not seen on the home console version, and unique character abilities similar to those of the Wii and PC versions. DSi players will use the system’s camera to detect colors mapped to unlockable content when tasks are completed. Also included in the DS version is DGamer, the online community exclusive to Disney gamers on Nintendo DS, allowing players to connect with others and unlock additional items in their DS game.

Developed by Etranges Libellules in France, Alice in Wonderland will be available for Wii, Nintendo DS and Windows-based PC with the same week as the film release in early 2010.

Disney Interactive Studios will also release iPhone and iTouch applications for the franchise. A promo application will release in December, 2009 with the full game releasing next year. Alice in Wonderland: The Mobile Game will take you on an upside-down, inside-out adventure on your phone. The whole world is a puzzle and players must twist and turn their iPhone to have Alice make it through Wonderland safely. Also available on Java/Brew, Android and RIM February 2010.

Band Hero is almost here to rock out on your Nintendo DS and it sounds like it’s going to be a decent adaptation. Soon you’ll be able to jam with your buds over the four-way ad-hoc network and play either the guitar, drummer, or lead vocalist. Players will be able to configure the game so if you all want to be drummers, you can. But there is one little thing that might bug some of you early adaptors.[PSGallery=9bbxgm58kl]

Yeah, so Band Hero uses the GBA cartridge port. I know what you’re saying. Your brand new DSi doesn’t have a GBA port. Exactly, so you will not able able to join in on the fun. Sorry. [via joystiq]

Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey is being developed by Ludia and features 12 “magical worlds” and a multiplayer mode. I have no idea how it works, but this is how Ubisoft describes it.

In the multiplayer mode, gameplay is enhanced through a variety of power-up features where players unleash different special effects to gain an advantage over opponents or enhance their own search capabilities.

Umm. OK. Said power-ups include:

• Wacky Paint: Splatter colorful paint onto your opponent’s screen to obscure the view.
• Thunder Clap: Cast thunder onto your opponent and make the screen shake.
• Frosty: Freeze the search window by encasing it in ice.
• Sparkly: Keep your eyes on the twinkle and glitter effects to detect items.
• And many more!

Shipping this Fall for the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS is Lucas Arts’ latest installment in the Star Wars Battlefront series, Elite Squadron. Players can now engage in battle on foot and then take to the skies to continue the fight with every shot fired affecting the outcome of each battle on every front.

You’ll traverse the Star Wars galaxy as X2, a clone trooper with Jedi Master roots, who opts to give the Empire the bird and join the Rebellion. X2’s clone brother X1 decides to take his Force-sensitive self on a path of destruction that could decide both sides fate.
Elite Squadron on the PSP will support 16-player multiplayer while the DS will host up to four players in a variety of modes, including the new “Heroes and Villians” mode.

Playable characters from the Star Wars universe, include Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Kit Fisto, Darth Maul and a handful from Renegade Squadron and The Force Unleashed.

[PSGallery=6ip488rgge]

Nobody wants to read “businessy” news on a Friday afternoon on CrunchGear, so let’s keep this one short: Nintendo only had an okay year last year; this year, it expects sales to be flat. It chalks that up to a decline in the software tie-in ration for new DS and Wii consoles. That is, the sheen of Wii Sports has worn off, and people are no longer compelled to buy the four game per Wii (2 per DS) that they had.

Or, in other words, boys and girls, Ninteno won’t exactly be printing money this year. The Wii, perhaps, has peaked; it’s only flat or downhill from there.

We now return you to your non-business news afternoon.

Photo: Flickr

Earlier today at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata made it abundantly clear that his company is doing just fine despite the global recession.

When asked about discounting the cost of the Wii, he responded by saying that consumers don’t care about price if it’s on their “wish list,” which the Wii clearly is and that Nintendo has no plans to drop the price anytime soon. However, Iwata did say that it could happen down the road.

On the DSi front, Nintendo sold over 300,000 units in the first two days of going on sale in the US. The same can be said in Europe, says Iwata. It was unclear whether the following plans are meant for the DS Lite or DSi, but I’m sure they apply to both models. Sometime in the future the DS will get maps, coupons and guidance when you’re at a museum or mall.

“Convenience in life will be enhanced by having a DS,” Miyamoto said.

I really wish Miyamoto had given the GDC speech instead of Iwata.

AP