Video Game Industry Goes To The Dogs - Literally
REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 1, 2005 - With sales of a quarter of a million units in its first week of availability, NintendogsTM is not only America's hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new game franchise ever for a portable system.
Retailers already are reporting that Nintendogs, made exclusively for the hand-held Nintendo DSTM, has sold out in numerous locations across the country, and Nintendo will deliver more shipments as soon as possible. The three versions of Nintendogs and the DS unit itself consistently rank at the top of Amazon.com's best-selling list of all video game products.
"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," said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "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."
Nintendogs lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the DS system's touch screen and microphone. It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and launched in the United States on Aug. 22.
People who like traditional hard-core video games have plenty to enjoy as well. Retailers also report that the new Advance Wars®: Dual Strike military strategy game for Nintendo DS has become one of Nintendo's top sellers.
For downloads, video diaries and fun Nintendogs extras, visit www.nintendogs.com.
The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance SP, Nintendo DSTM and Nintendo GameCubeTM systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games and more than 353 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as MarioTM and Donkey Kong® and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid®, ZeldaTM and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.
For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.