Want proof that videogaming is bigger than ever, even as sales are hit by the economic downturn and as console manufacturers are slashing prices to attract new gamers? The prestigious publication BusinessWeek has named Nintendo, which makes the Wii and the DS, and publishes videogames for both platforms, the “Best Company” in the world. The Japanese giant has beaten big names like Amazon, Apple and Google, to name just a few, to top the list compiled by the business magazine together with consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

The BusinessWeek chart takes into account “normal” economic indicators, like market share and cap, sales and revenue numbers, share value and profit, but is also looking at more unorthodox indicators, like strong leadership, vision for the future and inclination towards innovation.

More than 2,500 companies were examined to create the chart and Paul Laudicina, who is the chairman of A.T. Kearney, said that “In an environment of continuous disruptive change, companies that have rigorous strategic planning initiatives that allow them to see over the horizon…are far more likely to win than those that make it up as they go along.”

Nintendo has had a truly impressive performance over last year, announcing that it has sales amounting to 18.5 million dollars and an income of about 2.8 million. Meanwhile, the value share has also seen healthy gain and the Nintendo DS handheld and the Wii home gaming console are leaders in their respective fields, projected to dominate sales in the coming year.

It's interesting to note that Microsoft, which manufactures the Xbox 360 and offers games for it, and Sony, which makes the PlayStation 3 and publishes videogames for it, have not managed to get into the top 40 published by BusinessWeek. Another company in the top 3, Apple, has a presence in the gaming world through the iPhone. Second place went to Google.