So the video-game data report for February is out. According to InvestorPlace's survey of NPD figures, consoles systems saw a 10% increase in sales. Microsoft's (MSFT) Xbox 360 was particularly robust. The Nintendo (NTDOY) Wii didn't do badly, either.

As you might imagine, there were other companies mentioned in the article. Electronic Arts (ERTS) scored pretty well, as did Activision Blizzard (ATVI). In fact, the latter's latest Call of Duty entry is apparently still selling a bunch of copies in retail shelves even though the holiday season is long gone.

If you took a look at the very recent movement in Nintendo's (NTDOY) American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), you would probably come away thinking that they could be a buy. Hey, they very well could be.

However, if you took a look at a recent Reuters article, you might suddenly question the idea of stocking up on those very same ADRs. That's because, simply put, the cultural status of the Wii seems to be further weakening. Not only that, but the extremely popular Nintendo DS handheld system is facing increasing competition from other devices.

Nintendo (NTDOY), whose competitors include Microsoft (MSFT) and Sony (SNE), has had a couple of rough trading sessions. It has to do with disappointment surrounding the release date of the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system -- which will miss the holiday season -- as well a bad profit outlook (I'm presuming the latter issue was more responsible for the bearishness than the former one).

My colleague Gary Sattler gave his opinion on the situation the other day. The question is, should an investor buy the company's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on pullbacks? What kind of opportunity do they represent? Yesterday, they closed down 4.9% to $31.20. Volume was very heavy.

I just read that Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NTDOY) has decided to make its higher-end handheld hardware a little cheaper for consumers. According to TheFly, the Nintendo DSi and the Nintendo DSiXL will sport a cost of $149.99 and $169.99 beginning September 12, respectively. That's $20 less than the old price.

Now, you would have thought that the Nintendo DS Lite would have seen its price reduced as well, but I'm sorry to say you'd be wrong. That unit will remain at $129.99. I guess Nintendo is sending a strong message: go for the higher-end models.

Playboy (PLA) has already cut its staff and cut its office space ... but you know things are bad when Hef starts cutting back on the amount of skin his Bunnies are baring.

According to industry reports, Playboy is planning on a mix of new sites aimed at tackling a tamer market -- and none of them involve nudity. According to Playboy insiders, the company is developing a "free, safe-for-work site" its calling TheSmokingJacket.com, as well as additional subscription content with a slightly tamer feel.

Broadening your appeal beyond a core product is no easy task. But if done successfully, it can forever change the fortunes of a company. Just look at Nintendo (NTDOY) and its efforts to make video games mainstream and not a niche product for pimply-faced teenagers.

Nintendo Co., Ltd. (ADR) (NTDOY) is an entity I've been cautious on. I've made money on it before, but to be honest, even though it has done very well for some market players in recent months, I find the ADRs difficult to buy. They are currently priced at $42.45. I would really like to see them a lot lower before entertaining a trade.

Problem is, I'm not sure when, or if, they will go lower (not in the short term, anyway). They're currently near a 52-week high, and after a news item I just read, I have to admit I'm feeling more and more bullish on the business.