Nintendo Stays Number One

April 19, 2007 - Nintendo once again claimed the top two spots among the best-selling new video game systems in America in March, according to independent sales data gathered by the NPD Group. Despite widespread shortages for both systems, more than half a million buyers snapped up the portable Nintendo DS, and Wii was once again the top-selling new home video game console.

With the first quarter of 2007 now completed, Wii has already notched over a million systems sold in America this year, while the DS now stands just shy of 1.25 million for the same period. Wii remains the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade, based on NPD sell-through information over the first five months of availability.

So far this year, Nintendo has sold more video game systems than all other manufacturers combined.

"The message delivered by both Wii and Nintendo DS is the same one," says Reggie Fils-Aime, president, Nintendo of America. "Innovation is compelling both current gamers and new gamers to experience a new way to play. Nintendo is bringing gaming back to the masses."

While shipments of Wii hardware are expected to grow this month due to increased production, demand for the system remains at unprecedented levels. And it's destined only to intensify with the just released Super Paper Mario and the impending release of Mario Party® 8, which brings a new experience to the classic mini-game series using the Wii controllers. For Nintendo DS, the year's most anticipated software release so far this year comes with the arrival of Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon® Pearl arriving at retail on Sunday.

For more information about Nintendo, please visit Nintendo.com.