John Stanton, Chairman and CEOREDMOND, Wash., Aug. 19, 2016 – Major League Baseball has approved the sale of a majority of Nintendo of America’s interest in the Seattle Mariners to other members of the current ownership group. Nintendo of America will retain a 10 percent stake in the team and regional sports network, while the remainder of its holdings has been sold to other members of First Avenue Entertainment LLLP (FAE). FAE is the limited partnership that owns the Seattle Mariners and a majority interest in Root Sports NW.
As part of the sale, current CEO Howard Lincoln has retired from day-to-day operations, and John Stanton has replaced him as Chairman and CEO, as well as the designated Major League Baseball Control Person for the franchise. Lincoln will continue on as a member of the FAE Board of Directors, representing Nintendo’s ownership interests.
Final financial terms were not disclosed, but the financial impact of the sale to Nintendo will be incorporated into Nintendo Co., Ltd.’s next quarterly financial report.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 693 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com
Host Your Own Olympic Games with Mario & Sonic On Wii U
Nintendo Encourages Families to Get Active and Celebrate the Launch of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for a Chance to Win Amazing Prizes
REDMOND, Wash., June 24, 2016 – Calling all active families! While Mario, Sonic and all their friends compete in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (launching today for the Wii U console), you and your family members can join in on all the fun … and enter for a chance to win a great prize package in the process. Starting today, Nintendo kicks off a contest on Instagram asking fans to take photos of their friends and families playing the game together or re-creating some of the game’s most memorable events, including Football (Soccer), Rugby Sevens and Beach Volleyball. Now’s your chance to get your family and friends together to host your very own Olympic Games at home! This could entail taking a photo of the family as they have a friendly competition while playing Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the living room at home (victory poses while wearing makeshift medals are optional!) or organizing an impromptu soccer match in the backyard with all your friends. The more creative and active the photos, the better. The most important thing, however, is to just have fun playing together!
With so many multiplayer modes and events in the game*, finding inspiration for the Instagram photo contest should be easy. The contest runs today until July 22. To participate, simply snap a photo of your family and/or friends competing in your own home Mario & Sonic-themed competition and post to Instagram using the hashtags #MarioSonicRio2016 and #NintendoContest. Every week starting on July 1, Nintendo will select one winning photo, with the winning entrant receiving a Wii U system, two New Nintendo 3DS XL systems, one each of the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games game and both the Mario and Sonic amiibo figures. That’s quite a prize package!
“Mario & Sonic aren’t the only ones breaking a sweat this summer with Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “This contest encourages families to get out and be just as active as the Mario & Sonic characters in the game.”
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Wii U console is full of engaging multiplayer modes that get your family and friends playing together using the largest cast of characters in series history. In Tournament mode, up to two players participate in Preliminary Heat, Semifinal and Final matches in a wide variety of different events. Winning a tournament will earn you “Mii Wear” outfits for your Mii character, coins, rings and medals. If your family and friends are ready for a challenge, the Heroes Showdown mode is ready and waiting to be conquered. In this mode, you can form a team to compete head-to-head with another player in random events. One team is assigned 10 random characters from Team Mario, while the other receives Team Sonic superstars. If you lose an event, characters are eliminated from your team until only one team, or one team captain, is left standing. With many different multiplayer options to choose from, friends and family will have a blast honing their skills in a wide variety of events in order to earn a spot on the winner’s podium. And speaking of events, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is overflowing with diverse events for up to four players that will keep all members of the family entertained. For the first time in the franchise (and the first time in real life!), Rugby Sevens makes its Olympic Games debut. By fielding a seven-character team, you’re tasked with scoring goals while also navigating a chaotic field of fellow players. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games features 14 Olympic Games events and three Duel events, which infuse some Mario & Sonic elements like Chaos Emeralds and Fire Flowers into the proceedings. In addition to Rugby Sevens, other main events include Football (Soccer), Beach Volleyball, BMX and Rhythmic Gymnastics (Clubs), which is also making its series debut.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for Wii U is now available, and can be purchased in stores, in Nintendo eShop or at Nintendo.com at a suggested retail price of $59.99. The Nintendo 3DS version of the game, which contains exclusive events and game modes, is also available at a suggested retail price of $39.99. For more information about Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, visit http://www.olympicvideogames.com.
Remember that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.
*Additional accessories are required for multiplayer mode and are sold separately.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 693 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.
About SEGA® of America, Inc.: SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Games Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s website is located at www.sega.com.
About ISM: ISM is the IOC’s exclusive worldwide licensee for Interactive Entertainment Software. In addition to these exclusive rights, ISM is one of the world’s leading providers of sports fantasy games working with a number of sport’s governing bodies. Visit the company's website at www.ismltd.com and www.olympicvideogames.com
John Stanton Slated to Replace Howard Lincoln as Chairman and CEO
REDMOND, Wash., April 27, 2016 – Nintendo of America today announced the planned sale of a majority of its interest in the Seattle Mariners to other members of the current ownership group. Under the plan, Nintendo of America will retain a 10% stake in the team, while the remainder of its holdings will be sold to other members of First Avenue Entertainment LLLP (FAE). FAE is the limited partnership that owns the Seattle Mariners, and a majority interest in ROOT Sports NW. Closing the transaction is subject to the finalization of legal contracts and approval from Major League Baseball which is expected in August of this year.
As part of the deal and at closing, current CEO Howard Lincoln will retire from day-to-day operations, and John Stanton will replace him as Chairman and CEO, and as the designated Major League Baseball Control Person. Lincoln will continue on as a member of the FAE Board of Directors, representing Nintendo’s ownership interests.
“From the first day of our involvement nearly 24 years ago, Nintendo has had two goals for its investment in the Mariners,” said Howard Lincoln. “First, we wanted to assure the permanence of the team in this great city. And on that count, I am proud and gratified that this agreement further solidifies that goal. On the other hand, I’m equally disappointed that we have not been able to host a World Series game for our fans.”
John Stanton said, “My goal and the goal of the entire Mariners ownership and management team is to win a World Series. I believe that the Mariners are well positioned to achieve that goal and it will be my honor to lead the organization. I want to thank Howard for his leadership for the last 17 years and thank the members of the board and ownership for giving me this opportunity.”
Specific details of the transaction will not be disclosed. A valuation of $1.4 billion for FAE’s holdings (team and RSN) was used as the basis for the sale. Nintendo of America, Howard Lincoln and John Stanton were principal participants in the negotiations.
FAE expects no organizational or personnel changes as a result of the transaction.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.3 billion video games and more than 692 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.
Washington, D.C. - April 23, 2014 - Nintendo of America joined with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to bring fun, active-play video games to the White House Easter Egg Roll event.
The White House Easter Egg Roll, which took place in President’s Park on the South Lawn of the White House on Easter, supports the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to help kids grow up healthy and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We have some photos of the even provided by Nintendo
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Eric G. from Fairfax, Va., practices his golf swing during a game of Wii Sports Club prior to heading to the South Lawn for the 136th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, in President's Park (one of America's 401 national parks!) Nintendo joined with the National Park Foundation to offer guests the opportunity to check out Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club, two video games that ask players to get up and get active with Wii U, Nintendo's HD home console.
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Mario and Luigi partake in the 136th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, in President's Park (one of America's 401 national parks!) Nintendo joined with the National Park Foundation to offer guests the opportunity to play Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club, two active games that align with this year's event theme, "Hop Into Healthy, Swing into Shape," which encourages children and families to live healthier and more active lifestyles.
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Tayzon P. from Washington visits with Nintendo to play Wii Fit U before heading to the South Lawn for the 136th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, in President's Park (one of America's 401 national parks!) Nintendo joined with the National Park Foundation to offer guests the opportunity to check out Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club, two video games that ask players to get up and get active with Wii U, Nintendo's HD home console.
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Mario and Luigi meet fans Nicholas K., Allison K. and Daniel K. from Piedmont, Calif., during the 136th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, in President's Park (one of America's 401 national parks!) Nintendo joined with the National Park Foundation to offer guests the opportunity to take photos with the beloved characters and play Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club, two games that ask players to get up and get active with Wii U, Nintendo's HD home console.
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Mario and Luigi join MC Yogi from San Francisco and Roger R. from Houston for a yoga session during the 136th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2014, in President's Park (one of America's 401 national parks!) Nintendo joined with the National Park Foundation to offer guests the opportunity to play Wii Fit U and Wii Sports Club, two active games that align with this year's event theme, "Hop Into Healthy, Swing into Shape," which encourages children and families to live healthier and more active lifestyles.
In addition, the official White House Easter Eggs, sold by the National Park Foundation and benefiting America’s national parks, are available at easter.nationalparks.org.
CELEBRATE THE START OF SPRING WITH FREE TRIAL ACCESS TO WII SPORTS CLUB ON WII U
March 14, 2014 - Spring is almost here! As the cold weather slowly creeps away, welcome the new season by tossing away the blanket and hopping off the couch to play Wii Sports Club. Starting on March 21 at 9 a.m. PT, Wii U owners can download and play the Wii Sports Club game for free until March 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT. This promotion includes free access to all three currently available sports (Wii Sports Club – Golf, Wii Sports Club – Bowling and Wii Sports Club – Tennis) and is open to all Wii U owners*, even those who have previously tried or have already downloaded Wii Sports Club. As an added bonus, the Resort Course, a new nine-hole course in Wii Sports Club – Golf that was originally featured in Wii Sports Resort, will be permanently added to the game via an update that is available today.
Wii Sports Club is a compilation of the sports from Wii Sports that features high-definition graphics, controls via Wii MotionPlus technology, immersive GamePad integration and an online multiplayer versus mode. In this mode, users with broadband Internet access can face off against other players all over the country online.
Players who want to keep playing after March 23 can purchase a Day Pass for $1.99 in the Nintendo eShop to play all available sports for a 24-hour period, or can buy a Club Pass that provides permanent access to individual sports for $9.99 each.
*To participate in this promotion, Wii U owners must have a broadband Internet connection, a Nintendo Network ID and the SpotPass feature enabled on their systems.
