Nintendo’s 3DS handheld gaming device sold 440,000 units in the first week of its US launch, the Japanese gaming giant said.
The 3DS ,which is retailing for $250 in the US, allows users to play 3D games without the need to wear special glasses. The device also features touch screen internet and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Nintendo is also planning to launch an update for the 3DS that will bring a revamped web browser and Netflix’s movie streaming services to the popular gaming console.
According to Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-14/nintendo-says-3ds-u-s-debut-has-great-start-citing-npd-1-.html), Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said that the company had sold 860,000 DS units in March, which include the latest 3DS and three older DS models. Files-Aime was citing statistics provided by market research firm NDP Group.
“We had a great start to the Nintendo 3DS, and portables overall had their best March in history,” Fils-Aime said in an interview. The company also revealed that its Pokemon Black and Pokemon White video games had sold a record 2.5 million units in March, dominating much of the video game software sales.
Nintendo first became famous in the US when it released the NES in 1985.