Nintendo DS sells 7 million copies in Europe

Nintendogs tops the software chart with 4 million copies sold

November 21, 2006

Nintendo has revealed that seven million units of its Nintendo DS handheld console (including the DS Lite redesign) have sold in Europe since its release in March 2005.

The best-selling title for the DS in Europe is Nintendogs, the next generation of virtual pets that lets you raise and care for your own virtual puppy. Staple titles like Super Mario 64 DS, Mario Kart DS and New Super Mario Bros also performed well, selling about 1.5 million copies each. Animal Crossing: Wild World and Brain Training both hit the million mark.

Laurent Fischer, director of marketing for Nintendo in Europe comments. "We are delighted by the success of the Nintendo DS and DS Lite and especially pleased to see that we have exceeded the one million mark with games that appeal to both non-gamers and traditional gamers."

"Nintendo is proud of its role in expanding the gaming market and we hope to continue this success with the launch of the Wii in Europe this December," he added.

Most of Nintendo's recent marketing initiatives have focused on brining in new audiences who don't fit the profile of the traditional gamer. With innovative new gameplay styles seen in both the DS and the Wii, Nintendo hopes to peak the interest of other audiences, as well as lower the entry barriers for women and older adults.

The Nintendo Wii will become available in Europe on December 8.