It seems crazy to think back now to when the 3DS was being released and thinking that Nintendo may have missed the boat on this one and that the device may not find a market.
Fast forward less than 3 years and it looks like Nintendo’s handheld darling may in fact usurp the PlayStation 2 as the worlds best selling console ever.
Granted it has a very long way to go still but this week it has passed an important mark by outselling the Nintendo Wii’s lifetime sales in Japan. The Wii has been out for over 7 years and had sold 12.6 million units in Japan, the 3DS has now sold 12.7 million and is just picking up steam.
In the overall scheme of things it has a long way to go before it reaches the 157 million that the PS2 has sold but its baby brother, the DS, has sold 154 million world wide so it’s not working off a small base.
According to VGChartz the 3DS is currently sitting on 34 million sold. But at this rate it could well overtake the PS2
Last Updated: September 26, 2013
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 26, 2013 at 13:42
That reminds me, we haven’t heard from Michael Pachter lately about how Nintendo is doomed.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 26, 2013 at 13:44
Hahahahahaha
Admiral Chief of Rivia
September 26, 2013 at 13:45
Did he sing the “doom” song?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 26, 2013 at 13:46
Take it away Admiral!
Admiral Chief of Rivia
September 26, 2013 at 13:47
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 26, 2013 at 13:48
I gotta get me that series again!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 26, 2013 at 13:45
Can a handheld really be called a console though?
I know, I know. I’m nitpicking now.
CarlEnjoysGames
September 26, 2013 at 13:55
I have a 3ds and an xbox 360. I play on the 3ds about 70% of the time and it really is a lot of fun with a very good gaming line up. I understand what you are saying about the console thing though.. although I tend to compare the two a lot though.
Gavin Mannion
September 26, 2013 at 14:26
As much as a console can be compared to a PC
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 26, 2013 at 14:28
You have a fair point. *goes to sit in corner to contemplate repercussions of this revelation*
Callum
September 27, 2013 at 16:13
Well, a console is “A panel or unit accommodating controls for electronic or mechanical equipment.”
So yes. By definition is very much is a console. A PS2 plays games, a 3DS plays games. Metal Gear Solid 3 is on PS2, it is also on 3DS. 3DS is a console as much as any other gaming device.
Umar Jaeger
September 26, 2013 at 13:51
And now Mon Hun is being released and we all know how big that game is in Japan
Hammersteyn
September 26, 2013 at 13:51
Well that’s some “console”lation for Nintendo in regards to the WIIU
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
September 26, 2013 at 13:52
True story: When Geoff and I were at E3 this year, we both clocked up plenty of 3DS friend passes. We saw hundreds of people there with 3DS consoles. But during those three days, we only ever saw one person with a PS Vita.
Hendrik
September 26, 2013 at 15:04
I’m going to buy another PS2 again this weekend just to make it more difficult for the 3DS to overtake the PS2. It will be a sad day (for me) when it happens
Jeffrey Lu
September 27, 2013 at 12:40
Hmmm… And Pokemon X & Y releasing world wide in 2 weeks… Hmmm…
Kyou
September 29, 2013 at 21:16
MAN FUCK POKEMON X AND Y!!! THAT GAME WILL SUCK!!!