Hasbro logoDetails released Monday of Hasbro’s first quarter financial results show that sales of game products were a major factor in the company’s overall positive performance. Hasbro’s net revenue was up 2 percent from the first quarter of last year, to $664 million. Without restructuring charges, operating profit was up 47 percent year-over-year.

While the company’s U.S. and Canada business was up 4 percent, strong growth in emerging markets (17 percent in Latin America and 21 percent in the Asia/Pacific region) was offset by poor performance in Europe (net revenues down 7 percent).

Hasbro’s entertainment and licensing business grew 5 percent to a 5 percent share of total net revenue.

In terms of product categories, net revenues in the boys segment fell 20 percent, mainly the result of “difficult comparisons” to last year for Beyblade and Star Wars. In contrast, games grew 26 percent overall, led by a more than 30 percent growth in Magic: The Gathering and benefiting from the Monopoly Save Your Token campaign.

Interestingly, during Monday’s presentation, Hasbro revealed that 80 percent of MtG sales are through the hobby channel.

Hasbro CEO, Brian Goldner, also explained that based on the research and development work of the company’s Gaming Center of Excellence, boys’ action battling games saw a doubling of revenue.