Nintendo DS Rocks Europe With Over 500,000 Units Sold

Following the launch of Nintendo DS in Europe on 11th March 2005, the new hand-held console is proving to be a phenomenal success with European gamers having snapped up over 500,000 units by Easter Saturday that’s 77% of the consoles that were in stores across Europe for launch. Many stores have reported they are out of stock however more deliveries are being made to replenish stocks.

Games sales have also been outstanding with Super Mario 64 DS alone having sold over 250,000 units and sales of WarioWare Touched! are also extremely strong. There is a wide variety of titles now in stores and this initial success will be followed by the release of more great games including Yoshi Touch & Go from Nintendo on 6th May, Need for Speed Underground 2 from EA on 27h May and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith from Ubisoft also in May, along with many more to follow throughout 2005.

Jim Merrick, Senior Director European Marketing, commented:
‘The launch of Nintendo DS in Europe has been a huge success. European gamers have embraced the Nintendo DS and have left no doubt that it is the new must have console! Nintendo set out to create a new way of hand-held gaming, offering an innovative and enjoyable experience and with the new Nintendo DS, we have certainly accomplished this. With many more great games launching soon, sales of Nintendo DS will just keep growing.’

The Nintendo DS is the new touch screen, dual-screened handheld video game system which redefines how people play videogames. In addition to the touch screen, the system includes both voice input and multiplayer wireless communication.

The Nintendo DS launched in Europe on 11th March supported by a large range of games including Super Mario 64 DS, WarioWare Touched!, Polarium, Pokmon Dash, Project Rub, The URBZ: Sims in the City, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, Rayman DS, Spider-Man 2 and Zoo Keeper among many others.