The recent explosion in Nintendo's popularity and profitability have catapulted the company to the number 5 ranking of the biggest companies in Japan. The company soared past telecom giant NTT and popular car maker Honda in the most recent financial reports. The demand for Wii and the hand held DS systems continue to rise as consumer praise pours in from ecstatic owners around the globe. The Kyoto-based company has raised its financial forecast to almost triple analysts' earlier expectations.

Following Nintendo's quarterly report yesterday its stock climbed 8.8% to end at a record 618,000 yen ($5135 US). It's market value now stands at 8.76 trillion yen ($72.7 billion). The annual sales forecast released by Nintendo was raised 18%  for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Amazingly, the Wii balance board hasn't even factored into the frenzy yet. This peripheral has the potential to blow the doors wide open in a whole new way, possibly paving the path toward record shattering profits in the months to come.