OSAKA: Nintendo Co Ltd expects its new Switch console to more than double annual operating profit and end the eight-year sales decline that dogged its previous offering just as players were turning to smartphone gaming. 

The Japanese firm entered the mobile gaming market last year to the relief of shareholders fretting about diving console sales. Now the early success of the Switch has fuelled hope of a long-term earnings recovery and sent the firm's share price about 20% higher since the console's March debut.