Nintendo 3DS Now Fastest Selling Console Ever in Japan

Despite an uncharacteristically slow start, the Nintendo 3DS has taken off like a veritable rocket reaching the 5 million units sold mark in just under a year. Which is 2 months quicker than the Nintendo DS, previously the best selling console ever.

When the 3DS was first released, many questioned whether the device could ever achieve the level of success of its predecessor.

With decent specs but an awkwark glasses free 3D display, a large build, horrible battery life, increased competition from phones and a predecessor that shared many of its characteristics, it seemed destined to failure. And when the sales figures began to trickle in, those fears seemed to be confirmed.

But after Nintendo changed strategies with the device, employing massive price cuts, rewards to early adopters, etc, the device began to sell like hotcakes. Of course, in order to achieve the impressive rate of sales, Nintendo had to price its device lower than it wanted to. For the first time in the company’s history, they are expecting to have a net operating loss for the first time in the company’s existence.

That said, if they can keep a swift trade in software up, then they should be able to offset the costs of developing and building the 3DS. While I doubt the 3DS will ever be as successful as the Nintendo DS or the Wii was, it shouldn’t end up a complete failure, and the pricing does keep Nintendo the dominant player in the handheld console market. Though in the coming years that might be like being the dominant player in the typewriter market.

The Verge Photo by : John Karakatsanis