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

By Jeffrey Van Camp 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.

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?

Editors' Recommendations

Play these 3DS and Wii U games before Nintendo shutters their online features

Topics

Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

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

Gaming

How to start the Nuka-World DLC in Fallout 4

People standing outside Nuka World.

The first major DLC expansion for Fallout 4 lets players go to the abandoned amusement park called Nuka-World. While there's plenty of fun and excitement to be had here, don't expect it to come from the roller coasters or carnival games since this park is the battleground between rival raider gangs. This new zone adds a ton of new quests and side activities to the base experience, but it isn't as simple to get to as a real theme park. Don't worry if your Pip-Boy isn't helping you get to Nuka-World -- we'll show you how to start this DLC.

Gaming

How to start the Automatron DLC in Fallout 4

A man and a robot walking in the wastelands in Fallout 4.

Each piece of Fallout 4 DLC adds something substantial to the base experience. In the case of the Automatron expansion, an entire new questline pitting you against a robot army led by a figure known as the Mechanist. Starting it isn't as difficult as starting other DLCs like the Nuka-World expansion, but it-s still a bit cryptic. Buying the DLC doesn't automatically make it apparent how to actually start this new adventure, but we'll give you specific directions to find it in the wasteland.

Gaming

One of 2023’s best indie games is getting a movie starring LaKeith Stanfield

James descends on an elevator in El Paso, Elsewhere.

El Paso, Elsewhere, one of Digital Trends' favorite indie games of 2023, now has a film adaptation in the works.

Variety reports that LaKeith Stanfield -- an actor known for his work in films like Judas and the Black Messiah, Knives Out, and Haunted Mansion, as well as TV shows like Atlanta -- is going to star in and produce the film. The adaptation is in the works at Di Bonaventure Pictures, the production company behind the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and The Meg film franchises. Little else is known about the film at this time, although we'd presume it will be a fairly direct adaptation of this intense story-driven game.