Nintendo's new hand-held smashes all previous records to become biggest ever UK hardware launch

17 March 2005 - Nintendo DS, launched in the UK on Friday 11th March 2005, has achieved record breaking sales of nearly 87,000 units in its first two days alone.

Nintendo DS software also proved a hit with gamers across the UK with Super Mario 64 DS, Wario Ware: Touched! and Rayman DS (Ubisoft) the UK's top three selling titles respectively.

The success in the UK follows in the wake of exceptional sales in the US and Japan where over 3 million Nintendo DS units have been sold worldwide since launch.

David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK said:

'The launch of Nintendo DS in the UK has been an unprecedented success; breaking all expected sales figures and even exceeding our expectations. Nintendo fans, new and old, have embraced the Nintendo DS and have left no doubt that it is the new must have handheld 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, and we have certainly accomplished this.'

James Honeywell, UK Product Manager for Handheld Consoles said:,

"We are overwhelmed by the success the Nintendo DS has achieved in the UK so far and will continue to watch with excitement as it fulfils its obviously huge potential. It is great to see that British gamers, like their Japanese and American counterparts, can recognise a revolutionary new console when they see it!"

Simon Soffe, Head of PR & Communications at GAME, said:

"We're delighted with sales over the first weekend. We had some superb exclusive software offers for customers who shopped at midnight, and excellent bundle deals for all customers in the days after. Nintendo have done a great job with the launch - creating a lot of excitement and demand among consumers. As always midnight launches were very popular with GAME customers, they want to be the first to play new games and consoles, and we pull out all the stops to help and serve them."

Martyn Gibbs, Commercial Director, Gamestation, said:

"Demand for Nintendo DS has been unprecedented and many of our stores sold out over the launch weekend. Gamestation opened over 220 stores across the UK to satisfy gamers who couldn't wait to get their hands on the DS first."

Neil Martin, Head of Games, HMV, said:

"Demand for the DS in HMV's stores has been phenomenal and once again Nintendo have demonstrated that a truly innovative product and an understanding of what the games consumer wants will translate into a great day one sales success."

The Nintendo DS launched in the UK on Friday 11th March supported by a huge range of first and third party launch titles including Super Mario 64 DS, Wario Ware Touched, Polarium, Pokémon Dash, The Urbz: Sims in the City, Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf, Project Rub and Zoo Keeper among many others.

In recognition of its technological achievements, the Nintendo DS has received the Edge magazine 'Hardware of the Year Award', as well as rave reviews across the UK, showing that the Nintendo DS has already delivered on its ambitious promise to bring a new gaming experience to gamers.

The Nintendo DS can be purchased from most good retailers for around £99. Software is available from around £29 and £19 depending on the game.