Nintendo DS Poised To Become Best-Selling Game System Ever

Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:07AM EDT

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Who'd a thunk? The Atari 2600, the Game Boy, the Playstation 2... all of them may ultimately be midgets next to the mighty Nintendo DS, which, according to market researcher DFC Intelligence, could become the best-selling game system of all time by 2012. (Assuming, of course, that Nintendo doesn't replace it with something else before then.)

The figures are bullish across the board on gaming. Among the predictions: a 42 percent increase in overall gaming industry revenue from 2006 to 2009. Console sales of up to 210 million units by 2012. Online gaming alone hitting $13 billion by 2012.

As for the console wars currently playing out, the research shows things looking good for both Wii and PS3, but with Xbox 360 (which now has its fortunes completely riding on Halo 3 being a smash hit) a likely "distant third," thanks to its poor showing outside America. Which is a bummer, because I am working on my Gamerscore.

I'd link to the full study, but it's three grand if you want to buy it... You can read the table of contents for the various reports at least at the previous link.

I've always thought the PS3 was a non-starter, but didn't really realize the 360 was flagging so badly. Still, interesting times in the gaming world. Things seem to be looking so positive that maybe even third place might not be so bad.

Comments on Nintendo DS Poised To Become Best-Selling Game System Ever

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  • 1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have you seen Eregon for the Nintendo DS? The graphics are as good as some of the top end PC games out there! Its no wonder the DS is doing so well! It's a fantastic platform! Almost everyone young or old has one!

  • 2 Posted by bunnyandmoi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm kind of glad the DS is doing so well. I do have a PS2, but aside from that, I'm mostly a Nintendo girl and have six Nintendo systems. DS is definitely my favorite out of all of them. The touchscreen is awesome, and after years of the Gameboy and GBC, it was nice to buy a handheld that was playable in the dark without buying accessories, as well as the fact that it plays games from the GBA as well. I've never been so happy with a game system before... much less a handheld.

  • 3 Posted by commorancy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    It always helps when your game system is $150 vs $600. Parents are much more likely to purchase a $150 item than a $600 item. Also, games at $19-29 are a lot more attractive than games at $59. So, it's not unexpected that neither the Xbox 360 nor the PS3 are anywhere close to the numbers compared to the DS. That also explains why the Wii is doing so much better than the Xbox 360 and the PS3. I think both Sony and Microsoft need to take a page from Nintendo's book. Cost is a driving factor in gaming. People want less expensive with lots of developers instead of a handful of developers with an ultra high end super expensive system. In other words, high price doesn't necessarily equate to better gaming.

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