Japanese gaming giant Nintendo is working on a new console while strengthening its Wii U brand, according the company's design chief Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto is also the genius behind Mario and Zelda franchises.

"We're focused on providing a robust line-up of Wii U software for next year. It seems like we've managed to do that this year and people are very happy with what we've done on Wii U. For the time being, our focus is on the Wii U hardware, but Nintendo as a whole has groups working on ideas for new hardware systems," Miyamoto said in an interview with Associated Press.

"While we're busy working on software for the Wii U, we have production lines that are working on ideas for what the next system might be."

Reports on the development of a new console first surfaced in May of 2014. In a Gamespot article months back, it was said the Nintendo is also exploring the possibilities of launching in China, something rival PlayStation is slated to undertake early 2015.

Nintendo's Wii U was released late in 2012, but gained a lukewarm reception even with its seemingly revolutionary tablet-like controller. Rubbish titles were also blamed for the slow sales of the console.

However, tables have suddenly turned towards the latter part of 2014. An upturn in interest was seen as Nintendo introduced Mario Kart 8, Bayonetta 2 and Super Smash Bros.

Mario Kart 8 sales bolstered Nintendo's earnings and positioned the organization to be on track for its first annual profit in four years.

"Nintendo reiterated its forecast for a full-year operating profit of 40 billion yen, compared with an operating loss of 46.4 billion yen in the previous year," Reuters reported.

While Nintendo Wii U sales figures are miles away from PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the company is positive that the growth will continue to pick up next year.