Nintendo DS the best-selling game system in U.S. history with 50 million units

By Jeffrey Van Camp Published October 14, 2011

Nintendo DS Lite — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In March 2009, Nintendo sold its 100 millionth DS system on a worldwide basis, but today the handheld game system set an impressive record in the United States: it crossed the 50 million marker, making it the best-selling video game system in U.S. history. This means that it has outsold systems like the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo’s own Game Boy line.

“The Nintendo DS forever changed the gaming landscape, and the fact that consumers continue to embrace the platform is a testament to its value and mass appeal,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

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Nintendo also used its press release to tout recent sales of its Nintendo 3DS. In September, the handheld posted sales of 260,000 units, besting its August total by 10 percent. Amid months of poor sales, Nintendo drastically cut the price of the 3DS by $80 (to $170) in August. Since then, the tide appears to be turning for the system. Recently, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D became the first 3DS game to sell more than 500,000 copies in the United States.

Though Microsoft’s Xbox 360 sales exceeded 430,000 units in September, Nintendo didn’t have an all bad month. The Nintendo DS sold 145,000 units and the Wii sold 240,000, bringing Nintendo’s total hardware sales for the month to 647,000. Not bad, but can the 3DS keep up the momentum?

Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Deputy Editor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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