Nintendo today is beaming over the online success of its DS handheld system, with two significant landmarks to boast about. Firstly, since the big N launched its handheld wi-fi service in November of 2005, over five million unique users have logged on to bitch about snakers in Mario Kart. Not only that, but over 200 million online gaming sessions have now been enjoyed by DS owners globally.
While Nintendo is busy grinning and doing the cabbage patch, hopefully this tells the company that the online market is something that needs to be jumped on, and that this momentum has to be followed through on the Wii. There is much work to be done to bring the online capabilities of Nintendo’s home console up to speed, and this should be a clear indication that such an endeavour is worthwhile.
Hit the jump for Nintendo’s full press release.
May 30, 2007
Nintendo News
Nintendo DS Gaming Service Tops 5 Million Users, 200 Million Game Sessions
Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection has crossed two huge milestones within just days of one another. Worldwide, since its launch in November 2005, Nintendo’s wireless gaming service has now connected more than 5 million unique Nintendo DS(TM) owners, and those gamers have racked up more than 200 million game-play sessions. Worldwide, nearly 65 games can be played via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The five most popular globally are Animal Crossing(R): Wild World, Mario Kart(R) DS, Metroid(R) Prime Hunters, Pokémon(R) Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.
“Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service,” explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.”
Nintendo DS continues to enjoy record-breaking success. According to new figures from the independent NPD Group, DS was again the top-selling video game system in April, with more than 470,000 units sold in the United States alone. That’s nearly 16,000 per day.
Nintendo DS also finds success beyond the stereotypical young male gamer. According to internal Nintendo demographic tracking studies, in less than 18 months, DS purchases have increased by 42 percent among women, 127 percent among people 30 and older and 212 percent among people 35 and older.
