New figures from Chart-Track have revealed that more than 3 million people in the UK now own a Nintendo DS or DS Lite. The Nintendo DS has now secured 68 per cent of the UK handheld market. According to a statement issued by Nintendo, DS was the best-selling platform during 2006 and "has already established itself as the UK market leading hardware format again so far in 2007".
DS is also winning the battle of the handhelds, according to Chart-Track, securing a 68 per cent share of the UK market during the first three months of this year.
Nintendo attributed the handheld"s success to sales of games in the Touch! Generations range, such as Brain Training, Nintendogs and Tetris, which are designed to appeal to a wider demographic. "It"s a great testament to the strength of the DS hardware and software range available that just as Nintendo DS has passed its second birthday here in the UK, it reaches such a landmark sales figure," said Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton.
"With many more Touch! Generations games launching in 2007, Nintendo DS and Wii will continue to be the main driving forces behind the expansion of the videogame market this year." Nintendo DS launched in the UK on March 11 2005, with the redesigned DS Lite following on June 23 the following year. The Lite currently carries an RRP of GBP 99 (EUR 145)