Brand: Nintendo
Country of Origin: Japan 🇯🇵
Founded: 1889
Incorporated: 1947
Industry: Video Games, Interactive Entertainment & Intellectual Property
Company: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
President: Shuntaro Furukawa
Official Website: Nintendo Official Website
Featured By: ASIA Best Brands — Asian Brands
About Nintendo
Nintendo is one of Japan’s most influential entertainment companies, creating video game hardware, software and globally recognised characters.
Founded in Kyoto in 1889, Nintendo has evolved from a playing-card manufacturer into a global interactive entertainment company behind franchises including Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Splatoon and Donkey Kong.
From Playing Cards to Interactive Entertainment
Nintendo’s history began in September 1889, when Fusajiro Yamauchi started manufacturing and selling traditional Japanese hanafuda playing cards in Kyoto.
The modern corporate entity was incorporated in November 1947, while the company later expanded from cards and toys into electronic entertainment.
This long evolution has allowed Nintendo to remain rooted in play even as the technology behind entertainment changed dramatically.
Building Iconic Game Systems
Nintendo has created some of the most recognisable hardware platforms in gaming history.
Its systems have included the Family Computer/NES, Game Boy, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Wii and Nintendo Switch.
The original Nintendo Switch reached 156.59 million units in worldwide cumulative hardware sales by June 30, 2026, placing it among Nintendo’s most successful gaming systems.
Nintendo’s approach has often focused on creating distinctive ways to play rather than competing solely through technical specifications.
Nintendo Switch 2 Begins a New Generation
Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025, continuing the hybrid home-and-portable concept introduced by the original Switch.
By June 30, 2026, Nintendo Switch 2 had reached 23.68 million units in worldwide cumulative hardware sales, while software sales reached 58.17 million units.
Major titles included Mario Kart World, which had sold 15.39 million copies, and Donkey Kong Bananza, with 4.78 million copies by the same date.
The rapid adoption demonstrates the strength of Nintendo’s strategy of combining new hardware with exclusive software and established characters.
Games and Characters at the Centre
Nintendo’s strength extends beyond hardware.
Its characters and game worlds have developed into long-running entertainment franchises with audiences across multiple generations.
On Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had sold 71.53 million copies by June 2026, while Animal Crossing: New Horizons exceeded 50 million. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reached 38.14 million copies.
These evergreen titles show how Nintendo can continue generating engagement long after a game’s original release.
Expanding Beyond Video Games
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Image Source: Nintendo.
Nintendo is increasingly extending its intellectual property beyond traditional gaming.
Its IP-related business includes movies and video content, smart-device content, royalties and merchandise sold through official stores.
In Q1 fiscal 2027, Nintendo reported ¥34.8 billion in IP-related income, more than double the previous year, supported in part by strong audience engagement with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
This broader strategy allows Nintendo characters and worlds to reach audiences through entertainment experiences beyond consoles.
Investing in Future Game Development
Nintendo Co., Ltd. Technology Development Center in Kyoto, Japan. Image Source: Nintendo Japan.
Nintendo continues to expand its development capabilities in Japan.
In June 2026, the company announced further details for a new Technology Development Center in Kyoto, designed as a research and development base for both software and hardware.
The investment reflects Nintendo’s long-term focus on keeping hardware and software development closely connected.
Nintendo also operates and works with affiliated development companies including Monolith Soft, Nintendo Pictures, Nintendo Cube and 1-UP Studio.
Asia at Nintendo’s Core
Nintendo’s connection with Asia begins with its home city of Kyoto.
Japan remains the centre of its corporate and development operations, while Nintendo also maintains regional affiliated companies in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
These operations support Nintendo’s presence across major Asian gaming markets while its Japanese creative identity remains central to the brand.
The company employed 8,666 people globally on a consolidated basis as of March 2026.
Strong Financial Performance
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, Nintendo reported:
- ¥2.313 trillion in net sales
- ¥360.1 billion in operating profit
- ¥424.0 billion in profit attributable to owners of the parent
- 76.9% of sales generated outside Japan
Nintendo Switch 2 hardware sales reached 19.86 million units during the fiscal year.
Momentum continued into fiscal 2027.
For the three months ended June 30, 2026, Nintendo recorded:
- ¥517.8 billion in net sales
- ¥142.6 billion in operating profit
- ¥147.4 billion in profit attributable to owners of the parent
- 3.82 million Nintendo Switch 2 hardware units sold
Nintendo’s next six-month financial results are scheduled for November 5, 2026, so they are not included here.
Why Nintendo Is Featured on ASIA Best Brands
Nintendo demonstrates how a company can continually reinvent technology while keeping play at the centre of its identity.
From hanafuda cards and classic consoles to Nintendo Switch 2, Mario, Zelda and expanding entertainment IP, Nintendo has built a distinctive global ecosystem around creativity and interactive experiences.
Its origins and continuing headquarters in Kyoto, together with its growing presence across Asian markets, also make Nintendo one of Japan’s most internationally influential entertainment brands.
By combining hardware, software, iconic characters and long-term creative innovation, Nintendo remains a defining Asian brand featured on ASIA Best Brands.
Official Website:
Nintendo Official Website
Category: Video Games | Interactive Entertainment | Consumer Technology
Tags: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2, Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Video Games, Gaming Consoles, Japanese Entertainment, Interactive Entertainment, Asia, ASIA Best Brands
Sources
1. Nintendo — Company Profile
Official information covering Nintendo’s founding, incorporation, headquarters, leadership, employees and affiliated companies.
Nintendo Company Profile
2. Nintendo — Company History
Official history covering Nintendo’s origins in hanafuda cards and corporate development.
Nintendo Company History
3. Nintendo — FY2026 Financial Results
Official information covering net sales, profit and Nintendo Switch 2 performance for the year ended March 2026.
Nintendo FY2026 Results
4. Nintendo — Q1 FY2027 Results
Latest available results covering revenue, profit, Switch 2 sales and IP-related income.
Nintendo Q1 FY2027 Results
5. Nintendo — Hardware Sales Data
Official worldwide cumulative sales for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and previous Nintendo systems.
Nintendo Hardware Sales
6. Nintendo — Software Sales Data
Official current sales figures for major Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 titles.
Nintendo Software Sales
7. Nintendo — Technology Development Center
Official information covering Nintendo’s new Kyoto research and development facility.
Nintendo Technology Development Center
8. Nintendo — Investor Relations
Official current financial calendar and corporate investor information.
Nintendo Investor Relations