Nintendo 3DS Dominates Handheld Market: Unit Sales Hit 4.5 Million
Phil Lelyveld
Entertainment Technology Center
[Buzz Focus]
… The Nintendo 3DS has surpassed its predecessor, selling 4.5 million units during its first year. The DS, by contrast, sold 2.3 million units in its launch year. …
Although the 3DS lagged in sales following a lukewarm launch on March 27, 2011, new titles and a price drop reinvigorated interest in the unit – not to mention a holiday Justin Bieber song (“All I Want For Christmas Is You” with Mariah Carey) which featured the artist and his friend buying the 3DS for Christmas. Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 were instant wins for the system during the 2011 holiday season.
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Total US sales for the 3DS have topped $1.2 billion (including HW, SW and accessory), states Nintendo of America. DS sales hit $540 million in its freshman year.
The Nintendo 3DS has extended its reach beyond casual gamers and children, with new “M” rated games released this year. Games like Resident Evil Revelations and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eaterappeal to an older, core gaming audience.
Kid Icarus: Uprising will close out the 3DS launch year, hitting shelves on March 23, 2012.
Read the full story here: http://www.buzzfocus.com/2012/03/06/nintendo-3ds-dominates-handheld-market-in-debut-year-surpassing-ds-launch/
