Nintendo Claims European Success For DS

Following the launch of Nintendo DS in Europe on March 11th 2005, Nintendo is touting success for the handheld's European launch, commenting that the new handheld "is proving to be a phenomenal success with European gamers." According to Nintendo's figures, Europeans have purchased 500,000 DS units by Easter Saturday, March 27th – 77% of the consoles that were in stores across Europe for launch. Nintendo also claimed that DS game sales have also been outstanding, with Super Mario 64 DS having sold over 250,000 units, a very reasonable 50% attach rate, and sales of WarioWare Touched! also strong. Nintendo also took the opportunity to outline forthcoming European DS game launches of note, including Yoshi Touch & Go from Nintendo on May 6th, Need for Speed Underground 2 from EA on May 27th and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith from Ubisoft in May. Jim Merrick, Senior Director European Marketing, commented: "The launch of Nintendo DS in Europe has been a huge success. Nintendo set out to create a new way of hand-held gaming, offering an innovative and enjoyable experience and with the new Nintendo DS, we have certainly accomplished this. With many more great games launching soon, sales of Nintendo DS will just keep growing." With recent rumors indicating that Sony's PSP may not launch in Europe until September 2005, it's increasingly important for Nintendo to build up an installed base, especially with the buzz building around the North American PSP launch. However, only 50 of 150 randomly surveyed American game retailers are currently sold out of the PSP, suggesting that American PSP shortages have successfully been avoided, possibly at the expense of European launch swiftness.