Mobile games are expected to make $109.6 billion this year, which would account for 70% of the overall digital video game industry’s revenue. However, not all gaming apps witnessed the same success in times when the entire sector is booming.
Nintendo’s huge success on console reduced the need and pressure to put resources into mobile, resulting in significantly lower profits from gaming apps than other major players in the market.
According to data presented by Safe Betting Sites, Fire Emblem Heroes, Mario Kart Tour, and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, as Nintendo`s three top-grossing mobile games, generated $334 million in revenue between April 2020 and March 2021, 30% less than the world`s two highest-earning gaming apps in a month.
Nintendo`s Top-Grossing Mobile Game Hit $163M in Annual Revenue, 36% Less than Honor of Kings` Monthly Player Spending
The COVID-19-fuelled surge in the use of mobile games resulted in record-breaking revenues and downloads in 2020. However, many gaming apps continued growing rapidly this year.
As the world`s top-grossing mobile game in March, Tencent`s Honor of Kings hit $257.5 million in player spending, recording a massive 63% growth year-over-year. The Sensor Tower data revealed more than 96% of that value was generated in China, known as the goldmine of mobile gaming.
PUBG Mobile from Tencent was the second highest-earning mobile game worldwide that month, with $240.5 million in players spending across Google Play and App Store. Almost 60% of PUBG Mobile’s revenue was also from China. Statistics show that Tencent`s two popular gaming apps generated nearly half a billion dollars in March or 30% more than Nintendo`s top three mobile titles in a year.
Fire Emblem Heroes was the leading Nintendo mobile gaming app in terms of player spending. The Sensor Tower data showed the gaming app generated $163 million in in-app purchases between April 2020 and March 2021, or 36% less than Honor of Kings` player spending in March alone.
Mario Kart Tour generated $93M in Player Spending; Lifetime Revenue Surpasses $200M
Mario Kart Tour was Nintendo’s second top-grossing mobile game during the last year, accumulating nearly $93 million in revenue worldwide from the App Store and Google Play. Compared to the world`s leading mobile game titles, this was only 36% of Honor of Kings` player spending in March and 38% of PUBG Mobile`s monthly revenue.
The popular franchise had a fantastic start to life on mobile, hitting 100 million downloads and racking up $17.8 million in its first eleven days after its official launch in September 2019. The Sensor Tower data showed the gaming app surpassed its first $100 million in less than six months, powered by the title’s Gold Pass subscription, enabling players to obtain more in-game rewards.
Statistics show that Mario Kart Tour surpassed 200 million downloads and $200 million in lifetime player spending as of March.
With $78 million in player spending between April 2020 and March 2021, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp ranked as Nintendo`s third top-grossing mobile game. Dragalia Lost and Dr.Mario World followed with $22 million and $6 million, respectively.
