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Nintendo Crosses The 11.5 Million 3DS Handhelds Sold Mark In The U.S. In 2013
Nintendo's handheld business showed some impressive growth in 2013. Nintendo revealed today that as of the end of 2013, it has sold more than 11.5 million 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS handhelds in the United States. Across the eShop and at retail, more than 16 million 3DS games were purchased in 2013, which according to Nintendo, is a 45% growth over game sales in 2012.
With Yoshi's New Island coming soon and a new Professor Layton game coming February 28, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing Scott Moffitt predicts an equally successful 2014. "We're not slowing down in 2014. With more games featuring fan-favorite franchises on the way, the best days of Nintendo 3DS are still to come," Moffitt said in a recent press release.
To see the full press release, head to page two.
[Source: Nintendo]
Our Take
With the Wii U continuing to disappoint in terms of sales, I'm sure Nintendo is happy to report some successful 3DS numbers. With The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Pokémon X & Y, 2013 was probably the best year the 3DS has had to date. I admire Moffitt's enthusiasm and optimism for the coming year, but 2013 is going to be tough to beat – which is a compliment. I hope the Wii U is able to show similar growth is 2014.
NINTENDO 3DS POISED FOR STRONG 2014 AFTER RECORD-SETTING GAME SALES IN 2013
Game Sales Top 2012 Total by 45 Percent as Lifetime Hardware Sales Pass 11.5 Million in the U.S.
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 10, 2014 – Shoppers bought Nintendo 3DS games in record numbers in 2013, and Nintendo plans more great games to continue the momentum in 2014. Here is a recap of 2013 by the numbers:
More than 16 million combined packaged and digital Nintendo 3DS games were sold in 2013, an increase of more than 45 percent over 2012's Nintendo 3DS game sales.
The Nintendo 3DS family of portable systems, which also includes Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS, has crossed lifetime hardware sales of more than 11.5 million in the United States alone.
Seven Nintendo 3DS games that launched in 2013 have a Metacritic score of 85 or higher, including two games at 90+ (The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Fire Emblem Awakening).
"Nintendo 3DS is a powerhouse with games and experiences that appeal to all kinds of players," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "We're not slowing down in 2014. With more games featuring fan-favorite franchises on the way, the best days of Nintendo 3DS are still to come."
Nintendo has great Nintendo 3DS games planned for early 2014 to keep the momentum going. Yoshi's New Island launches March 14 in stores and in the Nintendo eShop. The game is being produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi's Island for Super NES. Yoshi reunites with Baby Mario in a gorgeous landscape to help him to safety. Flutter jumps, ground pounds and egg throws all return, along with some new actions that use the unique features of Nintendo 3DS.
Disney Magical World is a new game featuring dozens of Disney characters in a variety of Disney-themed worlds. Players can customize their characters with hundreds of Disney-themed outfits and accessories, all while managing a café, planting crops and collecting Disney character cards. Players help different characters solve problems or find missing items. The game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on April 11.
A free demo of Square Enix's amazing RPG Bravely Default is now available exclusively in the Nintendo eShop. The extensive demo features content not included in the main game, but players who purchase the full game can transfer some of their data. The full game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 7.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy challenges players with more than 150 mind-bending puzzles. In this final installment in the second Professor Layton trilogy, players embark on a worldwide adventure in search of lost Azran artifacts. The game launches Feb. 28 in stores and in the Nintendo eShop.
Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.
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