Nintendo Reveals Impressive U.S. Nintendogs Figures

Nintendo has released initial and extremely positive sales figures on the North American launch of its DS handheld title Nintendogs, which lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the DS system's touch screen and microphone. According to the Japanese-headquartered company, the game has racked up sales of an impressive quarter of a million units in its first week of American availability - according to Nintendo, "the best-selling new game franchise ever for a portable system." Nintendo also noted that retailers are reporting that Nintendogs, which came in three varieties, each highlighting a different selection of initially available puppies, has sold out in numerous locations across the country, something that might currently be restricting further sales, and a fact borne out by anecdotal evidence from retail stores in America. Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing, commented, particularly referencing the current battle with Sony's PSP handheld: "Nearly 15 percent of all DS owners bought Nintendogs in just a week, a virtually unprecedented adoption rate for any title on an established system. And it's also helping sell new DS hardware. Coupled with a price drop to $129.99, retailers are reporting DS sales up between one and a half and three times previous levels, and last week DS comfortably outsold our portable competitors."