Nintendo DS smashes UK sales records in its first two days

[evilmax17]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=7396

Beats the Cube's records by quite a margin with the UK's biggest console debut ever

The Nintendo DS got off to a flying start last weekend in the UK, becoming the fastest-selling console ever with sales topping some 87,000 units in the first two says at retail, according to Chart-Track data released this morning.

Compared to previous console sales over the years, the DS was well ahead of the original GBA's launch statistics, which managed 67,000 back in June 2001, while the remodelled GBA SP debuted with 47,000 in March 2003.

The cheap and cheerful DS even smashed sales of fully-fledged consoles, beating the Cube's record debut week of 69,000 back in May 2002, with the likes of Xbox (52,000) and PS2 (46,000) selling decent numbers despite £299 price points.

Software wise, the DS launched with an impressive 16 titles, 12 of which made this week's Top 40 All Formats - although with PS2 titles such as Gran Turismo 4 and Metal Gear Solid 3 ruling the roost at the top of the listings, the best the DS could muster was a No.4 entry with Super Mario 64 DS, closely followed in the Top 10 by Wario Ware Touched! At No.6 and Rayman DS at No.10.

Ubisoft also scored a surprising No.12 entry with Asphalt: Urban GT, EA's multiformat pair of The Urbz: Sims In The City and Tiger Woods PGA Tour move up to No.15 and No.16 respectively, Pokemon Dash made it to No.18, Spider-Man 2 moved up to No.19, while the multiformat Robots (No.25), Project Rub (No.29), Zoo Keeper (No.39), and Polarium (No.40) also made it into the Top 40.

That left four of the 16-strong line up outside the Top 40, meaning the likes of Mr Driller: Drill Spirits, Retro Atari Classics, Ping Pals and Sprung were lower down on gamers' shopping lists.

Nevertheless, given the crowded release schedule on other platforms, strong hardware sales and 12 titles in the Top 40 in the opening weekend represent a very strong early showing for the DS in a territory where many in the industry were unsure of how well Nintendo's new machine would be received.

The challenge now for the system will be to continue its sales once the first wave of early adoption has died down - and to build strong momentum and expand its software base in Europe before the PlayStation Portable arrives in a few months time.

[Parathod]

I'm surprised that Zoo Keeper was a bigger seller than Mr. Driller.

[jkam]

Just read this too. Anyone who says the DS is the next virtual boy is a virtual moron. I have a feeling Nintendo's new attitude is going to be good for all of us.

[shipwreck]

Wow, I actually can't believe it sold that well. Good for Nintendo. Now to see if they can convince people to keep buying it.

[javeryh]

Just read this too. Anyone who says the DS is the next virtual boy is a virtual moron. I have a feeling Nintendo's new attitude is going to be good for all of us.

It's the next virtual boy!!!!! Just kidding. I think it will be moderately successful but nowhere near the GBA over the long haul.

[shipwreck]

Just read this too. Anyone who says the DS is the next virtual boy is a virtual moron. I have a feeling Nintendo's new attitude is going to be good for all of us.

I meant to comment on it in my first post, but what is Nintendo's new attitude? I must have missed the memo.

[Zoglog]

Unless Nintendo can get some more quality games from 3rd party developers i'm still skeptical. After all they are selling the console at a loss.

[jkam]

Just read this too. Anyone who says the DS is the next virtual boy is a virtual moron. I have a feeling Nintendo's new attitude is going to be good for all of us.

I meant to comment on it in my first post, but what is Nintendo's new attitude? I must have missed the memo.

Well it seems like they aren't afraid to bash Sony and other game companies where as they never would before. They are finally realizing online gaming is something people want. They are coming out with a new Zelda based upon what people wanted with Wind Waker. The revolution will have backward compatibility. Nintendo's attitude (or focus) is a lot stronger these days.

[Kaijufan]

I can't wait to see how well the PSP does in the UK.

[62t]

Unless Nintendo can get some more quality games from 3rd party developers i'm still skeptical. After all they are selling the console at a loss.

How? They are selling it for £94.99 which is like $180 USD

[CaseyRyback]

I can't wait to see how well the PSP does in the UK.

it just got delayed again over there

[FriskyTanuki]

It's not that surprising with that launch lineup.

[j.elles]

Unless Nintendo can get some more quality games from 3rd party developers i'm still skeptical. After all they are selling the console at a loss.
I need to see some documentation for this one as well because it's news to me.
And Shipwreck, I think he means the wireless connectivity and back wards compatibility for the new console and the DS, as well as Nintendo doing games like the realistic new Zelda, and true rpg pokemon just to name a couple. I can list some more if you need them, but overall nintendo is finally waking up and taking some good steps towards becoming the powerhouse of old. Now all I need to hear is no more strange formats like the N64, and Cube as well as some more info on the Cube version of Fire Emblem and maybe some more RPG's from Namco or maybe someone else and Nintendo will have answered every critics complaint that I can think of.
p.s. Better controllers too. Almost forgot about that.

[clockworkvictim]

Hooray! Im glad the DS is still doing well since I just bought one... I hope they start coming out with some more titles to make owners happy(er).

[RelentlessRolento]

Just read this too. Anyone who says the DS is the next virtual boy is a virtual moron. I have a feeling Nintendo's new attitude is going to be good for all of us.

I meant to comment on it in my first post, but what is Nintendo's new attitude? I must have missed the memo.

Well it seems like they aren't afraid to bash Sony and other game companies where as they never would before. They are finally realizing online gaming is something people want. They are coming out with a new Zelda based upon what people wanted with Wind Waker. The revolution will have backward compatibility. Nintendo's attitude (or focus) is a lot stronger these days.

amen to that. I think nintendo is going into a more creative and revolutionary turn that the industry is way behind on (ie, Sony and M$). When the gaming industry hits its slump, I think nintendo will be the survivor fromt the big 3.

[mgriff]

I think that Nintendo has had a strong start with the DS because of the innovation, but unless they put out some real titles and not just a bunch of n64 remakes, they will fail in being able to sell software and they will eventually lose developers and it will go the way of the dreamcast, it was ahead of its time.

[AdamInPlaidum]

As far as the rankings for game sales, keep in mind DS games were only available for two days of that data week.

[GizmoGC]

SELL NINTENDO STOCK NOW!!!11!!!111!!!11!!!

J/K

[stocker08]

good, i hope the DS sells good. Because lately, nintendo has been starting to look more and more like SEGA. Slowly fading away, but i dont want that to happen because i think nintendo makes great consoles.

The online is going to smash ass!

[j.elles]

Look at the facts before you beleive Nitendo going the way of Sega. Nintendo has some serious money on hand. I forget what it was but like 3-6 billion. They have almost always turned a profit, and the DS sales alone are enough to keep them afloat. Add on to that future Pokemon true RPG sales and the new Zelda game everyones been waiting for. Nintendo's fine. Plus Sega was in debt, and had I forget how many failed systems. Someone else come up with that number. At least 4.
Off topic, but does anyone know about Square's developing future. They've been in so much money trouble in the past that they might go multi-platform some time in the next three years.

[Alpha2]

it's as unlikely for nintendo to go software only as it is for Squeenix to go multiplat. In other words I doubt either is happening anytime soon.

Sega did kill themselves with too many low selling systems as well as there super expensive aarcade devision. Meanwhile Nintendo practically quit arcades and the gameboy has ALWAYS been successful.

Squeenix was invigorated by the merger and the Advent Children movie will undoubtedly net them some nice cash. They have two of the highest selling RPG franchises known to video gaming between FF and Dragonquest/warrior. Although technically they did go multiplatform now that they have a small nintento studio and are selling cellphone games in japan, not to mention making PSP games. So I suspect they're feeling pretty good right now.

[dserafin1986]

The gameboy has salvaged the company, and that's a fact...Coupled with the Pokemon franchise, which came out of nowhere...I think people have a tendency to root for Nintendo, because they make the most innovative games in the industry...But don't be fooled by the fact that they are also the most stubborn company in the industry...How long did it take them to adopt a disc-based format, uh one generation too long...How about online gaming, same answer there...I think if they want to compete with Sony and MS, they need to get more business savvy...They need to expand their brands and produce more games, it's that simple...But then they would turn into EA, which a lot of Nintendo fans are strongly against...I say to all the Nintendo fans out there, quit worrying about Sony and MS, because Nintendo has made it painfully obvious that they are content with doing business as they always have, on their own terms...And if you want them to beat Sony and MS, be careful what you wish for, because they will end up producing, a Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Cart, Smash Brothers, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Starfox game each and every year and completely dilute the quality of their games/brands...It is a double edged sword