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3DS moves 4.5M lifetime, generates $1.2 billion in hardware and software sales

As Nintendo 3DS prepares to celebrate its first birthday on March 27, Nintendo said it is pleased to announced the handheld has now moved 4.5 million units in the US - nearly twice as many units as DS sold in its first year.

The firm flashed some other yearly figures as well: Super Mario 3D Land has sold 1.75 million copies since November andMario Kart 7 has sold 1.45 million copies since December.

Nintendo 3DS closes its first year with a lengthy list of accomplishments but we’re still just scratching the surface,” said NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime. “With a massive lineup of first- and third-party games and more on the way, a budding library of entertainment options and an engaged and growing installed base, Nintendo 3DS has an incredibly bright future.

"We’re just getting started but this platform is built for the long haul.”

NOA also provided some comparison figures between 3DS and DS for the first 12 months of each handheld's release:

Nintendo DS* Nintendo 3DS**

  • Total Hardware units sold: DS 2.3 million; 3DS 4.5 million
  • Total number of software titles released: DS -58; 3DS - over 100
  • Total units of software sold: DS 5 million ; 3DS over 9 million
  • Total sales of hardware, software, and accessories: DS $540 million; 3DS over $1.2 billion

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