Nintendo DS sells through 50 million handhelds

The name ' Nintendo DS' doesn't quite have the same ring to it as ' Game Boy'. It doesn't sound as good and it's still not as famous. But that hasn't stopped the DS from becoming the fastest selling gaming handheld of all time.

It took the Nintendo 16 years to sell a record breaking 119 million Game Boy units. And yet the Nintendo DS has now reached the 50 million mark in less than three years.

Nearly 20 million of those DS consoles were sold in Japan alone; there in Nintendo's homeland, one in six people own a DS. Its popularity dwarfs that of even the frighteningly successful Nintendo Wii next-gen console.

The Sony PSP on the other hand, is far behind the DS, having sold under 25 million worldwide. But the PSP isn't dead in the water yet. On the contrary, since the launch of the new slimmer, lighter PSP three days ago, Japanese gamers have been buying them at a rate of 100,000 per day.

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Quite the accomplishment.

The DS is a really good handheld, so it's not surprising.

Woo, look at that DS go... (Go DS, GO!)

Good to see that the PSP still has some life in it, though.

Thought: If FF7:CC can sell the PSP at 300,000 a week, what will the next Dragon Quest do to the DS?!

DS sales are insane but PSP is selling pretty good. Next gen for handhelds might get interesting.taker42

I think they've gotten more interesting with the release of the PSP Slim. There should be a considerable increase in PSP sales and we're already seeing the effects in Japan. Should be interesting to see how this turns out long term and if Nintendo will need to reevaluate their strategy.

I think they've gotten more interesting with the release of the PSP Slim. There should be a considerable increase in PSP sales and we're already seeing the effects in Japan. Should be interesting to see how this turns out long term and if Nintendo will need to reevaluate their strategy.

Zhengi

While the PSP hardware sales are good, its software sales are abysmal. If this trend continues, then I don't think Nintendo has anything to worry about.

50 million in 3 years....impressive

Though the DS is stomping the PSP, the PSP is actually performing admirably on its own.

Anyways, congratz DS! You've earned it. Man, that system has an incredible library with an awesome variety of great games that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else!

DS sales are insane but PSP is selling pretty good. Next gen for handhelds might get interesting.taker42

Well, I dont know about you, but Im expecting a god of a handheld for their next generation. 2 touch screens?!?

The PSP has actually managed some pretty successful numbers, so hats off to Sony (The Evil Empire that hates kids, puppies, and old people). But man the DS is a freaking monster. It's selling likepenecillin at party with Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan.Robio_basic

Afterall, Paris Hilton DOES own a DS...

I have two DS's. My brother has one, and he bought one for his ex-girlfriend. I'm considering buying my mum one for Christmas with Electroplankten and Elite Beat Agents.

It really is a fantastic console. There is something on it for everybody, and I can't wait for Contra 4. :)

I have two DS's. My brother has one, and he bought one for his ex-girlfriend. I'm considering buying my mum one for Christmas with Electroplankten and Elite Beat Agents.

It really is a fantastic console. There is something on it for everybody, and I can't wait for Contra 4. :)

Lilac_Benjie