Nintendo, the Japanese gaming giant, has more than $1 billion (£500 million) of net profit in the first three months of the year as its Wii games console has converted millions of people across the world into “casual gamers”.

However, the Kyoto-based company left its forecasts for the full-year unchanged, suggesting that the sagging global economy and belt-tightening in the US may yet weigh on profits in the all-important run-up to Christmas.

The 33 per cent year-on-year rise in profit was driven by a concentrated release of hit games titles.

Packed into the April to June quarter were the launches of Super Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers and the European debut of the workout-themed Wii Fit — games all calculated to appeal to families.

But while they applauded a solid quarterly line-up of titles, some analysts sounded a warning over the company’s immediate prospects. The Wii games on the market are popular but there is little in the way of pipeline for investors to look forward to.

Nintendo’s showing at the recent E3 games show — the trade fair that prepares gamers and retailers for Christmas — was a disappointment to many of the company’s fans and investors.

Forthcoming titles such as Wii Music had taken Nintendo’s console into the realm of gimmicks, said Hiroshi Kamide, analyst at KBC Securities. There is a sense with Wednesday’s quarterly figures that Christmas has come early, he said.

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