Nintendo celebrated a historic financial achievement on May 5, 2025, when its market capitalization soared past the $100 billion mark—an all-time high for the century-old gaming giant. Founded in 1889 as a playing-card company, Nintendo has since evolved into one of the most influential names in the video game industry, tracing its modern resurgence back to the groundbreaking success of the NES in the mid-1980s and, more recently, the runaway hit Nintendo Switch.
According to CompaniesMarketCap data, Nintendo’s valuation reached ¥16.05 trillion (approximately $100.48 billion) by the close of trading on May 5. This surge more than doubles the company’s $42 billion market cap in 2016, shortly after the Switch’s original launch, underscoring how the hybrid console revitalized Nintendo’s fortunes. The new milestone places Nintendo within striking distance—less than $2 billion—of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo’s parent), which currently sits sixth among Japan’s most valuable firms.
Nintendo’s latest milestone comes just one month before the June 5 launch of the Switch 2, set to debut at $449 for the standalone console and $499 bundled with Mario Kart World. Market analysts have noted that strong preorders and positive early reviews for Switch 2 hardware and its flagship lineup could further boost Nintendo’s valuation in the coming weeks. Despite recent U.S. tariffs on electronics imports, Nintendo has largely shielded its pricing strategy—raising accessory costs by only $5–10—and diversified production lines to countries like Vietnam and Cambodia to mitigate tariff impacts.
Beyond hardware, Nintendo’s robust intellectual property portfolio continues to fuel its growth. The company regularly tops global software sales charts with new entries in The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Mario franchises. Upcoming titles—such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Ancients (October 2025) and a long-anticipated Metroid Prime 4 update—are expected to further solidify Nintendo’s stronghold in console gaming. Meanwhile, its mobile lineup, including Mario Kart Tour and Fire Emblem Heroes, contributes steady recurring revenue.
Long-term investors have praised Nintendo’s blend of nostalgic franchises and bold innovation. “Nintendo’s ability to reinvent its IP while maintaining top-quality experiences has driven this historic market cap achievement,” says esports finance analyst Keiko Yamamoto. “With Switch 2 and a healthy pipeline of software, Nintendo looks poised to climb even higher in Japan’s corporate rankings.”
