Strong 3DS XL, New Super Mario Bros. 2 launch sales in Japan

The Nintendo 3DS XL, the upcoming larger version of the original 3DS hardware, sold nearly 200,000 units in its opening two days when it went on sale in Japan last week. According to data from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, the 3DS LL, as it's known in Japan, sold 193,441 units over the weekend, having launched in the country on July 28. In comparison, the Nintendo DSi handheld -- an expansion on the original Nintendo DS -- sold just over 170,000 units in its first two days in Japan, while the DSi XL (known as the DSi LL in Japan) sold just over 100,000 in its first two days on sale in the country. Enterbrain also revealed that New Super Mario Bros. 2, launched in Japan on the same day as the 3DS XL, sold 430,185 units in its first two days. The game is due to launch in the U.S. and Europe in August. The original New Super Mario Bros., released in Japan for the Nintendo DS back in 2006, did a little better in comparison, selling over 480,000 Japanese units in its first day on sale. However, it's unclear if the 3DS sequel's numbers include sales through the eShop or download code cards available at retail -- this and Demon Training are the first full 3DS games to be offered as downloadable titles, and Nintendo has launched a big promotional campaign to encourage consumers to buy the digital edition. Nintendo's 3DS business has been on the up and up as of late, with reduced losses thanks to improving margins on the hardware. The company is counting on strong 3DS XL and New Super Mario Bros 2 sales to help turn its business around.