Thursday's results also showed Nintendo failed to reach its annual sales target for its flagship 3DS handheld, despite cutting prices and releasing numerous game titles. Unlike console rivals Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo derives nearly all of its income from a small number of gaming devices and their software titles, so its struggles with the 3DS are directly reflected in its financial results.

Sales of its Wii home console have also plummeted, ahead of this year's launch of its successor, the Wii U, which will also support digital versions of its games.