Nintendo Co has reported consolidated net profit up 28% to 83.7 billion yen ($623.2m) for fiscal 1997. Sales grew 28% to 534.6 billion yen ($3.98bn), as a 110% jump in overseas sales of Nintendo 64 equipment and software offset a 45% plunge in domestic sales. Sales of Game Boy video game systems and related products rose 59% to 87.4 billion yen ($650.8m). International sales made up 78% of the company’s total. Pretax profit rose 44% to 157.6 billion yen ($1.17bn). For 1998, Nintendo expects group net profit up 19% to 100 billion yen ($744.6m), well above its historical record of 88.6 billion yen ($659.7m) for 1992. Group sales are expected to increase 8% to 580 billion yen ($4.32bn).
