Nintendo earnings report reveals mixed fortunes for gaming giant but a return to profit

Nintendo's latest earnings report has revealed that it won't make its operating profit target for the fiscal year but did announce that the company was profitable in the nine months ending December 2014.

The Japanese gaming giant halved its operating earnings target through to March from 40bn yen to 20bn yen (£111.8m) but made a profit of 31.6bn yen (£176.6m) between April and December 2014 compared to a 1.58bn yen (£8.8m) loss in the same period in 2013.

Weak sales of its 3DS handheld were reportedly to blame for missing the annual target, but a strong Christmas period overall has attributed to the shorter term success.

Nintendo's net profit forecast meanwhile has been raised by 50% to 30bn yen (£167.7m), according to Reuters.

The Osaka-based company also released the sales figures for its consoles and biggest games last year.

Software sales remained strong with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire selling a combined 9.35m units, while Super Smash Bros on 3DS sold 6.19m units and 3.39m on Wii U. Mario Kart 8 meanwhile has held steady at 4.77m units.

Sales of the 3DS were down by 4.5 million. Between April and December 7.08m 3DS, 3DS XL and 2DS consoles were sold worldwide compared to 11.65m the year prior.

This will likely be down to a weaker release schedule compared to the handheld's stellar line-up in 2013 but could also be anticipation of the New 3DS model set for release in the US and Europe next month. The new SKU is said to be off to a "good start" in Japan where it has been on sale since October.

Wii U sales were up only a little year-on-year with Nintendo shifting 3.03m in the nine month window compared to 2.41m the year prior. Lifetime sales of the Wii U now top the 9 million mark.

No indication was given on how Nintendo's Amiibo range is faring, but that itself could indicate it isn't doing great (via Eurogamer).