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.

Once the master of the game, Nintendo (NTDOY) has fallen behind in the gaming industry. It reported a 46% drop in profits in its recent quarter, as reported in Reuters. Nintendo is trying to do "catch up" with rivals Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and Google's (GOOG) Android, both or which have strong gaming platforms.

Nintendo is launching the first handheld 3D gaming system without glasses later this month. Nintendo of America's president, Reggie Fils-Aime, expects that the 3DS will sell even faster than its original DS device, which sold 150 million units to date.

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.

This winter should be an exciting time for video game companies. Unfortunately, at the moment fan favorite Nintendo (NTDOY) is powering down.

Nintendo announced revenues of only ¥189 billion, much lower than the consensus estimate of ¥212 billion. Earnings came in at a ¥197 loss, widely missing the consensus estimate of ¥34 billion.

When you think 3D TV, the possibilities are limitless. That game-winning touchdown pass spiraling out of your flat screen, alien invaders flying ships through the screen ... and yes, even naked women strutting their stuff in your living room.

It's this latter and controversial content that is fueling the 3D business in Japan right now, where a pair of porn stars are leading the charge in developing three-dimensional entertainment that is compatible with Sony (SNE) and Panasonic (PC) televisions.

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.