The better-than-expected performance is the latest bit of good news for Nintendo. In its earnings release, Nintendo said that its Wii U's success was built atop last year's launches of Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The company said that its first-party titles helped bolster its software business and drove more people to buy Wii U hardware so they could play its titles. Historically, Nintendo has used its first-party games to drive hardware sales, and when the company launches new entrants into major franchises, like Mario Kart, hardware sales typically rise. The same held true for last year.