Nintendo Unleash A Puppy Phenomenon Nintendogs Becomes A European Smash
October 12th 2005 - With sales of over 160,000 units in its first weekend of availability in Europe, NintendogsTM is shaping up to replicate the incredible success enjoyed in the US and Japan. In the US, Nintendogs became not only the hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new franchise ever for a portable video game system, while in Japan it has become a truly cultural phenomenon.
"Nintendogs is clearly helping sell new Nintendo DS hardware. Aligned with a price drop to £89.99, Nintendo DS sales are up between 400-700% across Europe, this will further cement our position as leader in the portable market," commented Nintendo Senior Director of Marketing, Jim Merrick.
Nintendogs lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the Nintendo DS system's touch screen and microphone. Nintendogs has gone on to sell over 1.5 million copies in North America and Japan - having sold out in its first week of release in the USA with over 250,000 copies flying off the shelves during the first week on sale.
Nintendogs launched across Europe on 7th October 2005 at the estimated retail price of around £29.99. The Nintendo DS: Blue and Pink Nintendogs Bundles also launched on October 7th 2005 at the estimated retail price of just £99.99.
For downloads, artwork and loads of other Nintendogs extras, visit ww.nintendo-europe.com
For more information please contact the Nintendo Press Office on 020 7307 3103 or log onto the Nintendo Extranet at www.nintendo-europe-media.com.
Notes to editors:
About Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games worldwide and more than 350 million hardware units globally, creating such industry icons as Mario® and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda® and Pokémon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems, including the Nintendo 64, NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy - the world's best-selling video game system which has sold over 180 million units. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.