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Why has the Nintendo DS become the biggest selling  console in UK history?
  
       
 
The UK's biggest selling console - who would have thought that in 2005...
  

The news that the Nintendo DS has sold over 10 million units and so beating the PS2 to become the highest selling console in the UK ever – yes, it has even sold more than the Dreamcast – was not entirely unexpected. After all, this is the console that has really broken down those gamer/non gamer barriers. The stylus interface, sleek design (not including the plastic monstrosity that was the first iteration of course) and celeb-friendly marketing have all helped. Less happily for Nintendo piracy and the widespread use of R4 storage cards has also contributed. But it has been the software, as usual, that has really driven the DS' success. Brain Training and its sequels alone have probably accounted for half of those 10 million sales. Along with Sudoku, crosswords and puzzle titles – Professor Layton in particular – the DS has become the handheld games console for everyone. Well, nearly everyone.

Hardcore gamers have often been turned off by the barrage of puzzle party minigame releases and there is no doubt Sony's PSP is the better bet for this audience. But recent titles like the latest Zelda game will appeal to veteran gamers while the marvellous Korg DS-10 music software proves the DS is far from just a toy.

Um the DS is dirt cheap and its a handheld of course its going to sell well especially given the broad appeal of the games on it.  
 
Its not really fair to place it in the same sales bracket as home consoles. Especially as with many families there are 4 DS in my house right now. Two are classics and 2 are DS lights. Depending on how may kids a family has thats allot of DS. Most people don't buy every kid and themselves a Wii, 360 or PS3.  
 
The DS is clearly the best handheld console on the market for a broad audience. The only competition is the PSP which is targeted at a smaller demographic and way more pricey.  
 
I would bring up the iPhone and iPod Touch however. We have 2 iPod touch in the house and 2 iPhones. All used to play handheld games. I personally know more people with an iPhone than people with DS.   
 
But aside from that, well done Nintendo the DS is a great handheld I really like mine :) 

It's all Ant & Dec's doing. They just love the Wii and DS.

"The DS appeals to everyone, of coarse it's the higest selling system out there, you really didn't see it comming?"

" Um the DS is dirt cheap and its a handheld of course its going to sell well especially given the broad appeal of the games on it.   Its not really fair to place it in the same sales bracket as home consoles. Especially as with many families there are 4 DS in my house right now. Two are classics and 2 are DS lights. Depending on how may kids a family has thats allot of DS. Most people don't buy every kid and themselves a Wii, 360 or PS3. "

I love my DS. Its got a bunch of Castlevania games and lower budget RPGs that don't suck. I don't know how anyone who owns a DS could be baffled by its popularity. Its all that, son.

Everyone and there Nan has one here. Just a small % still buy games though.

" Everyone and there Nan has one here. Just a small % still buy games though. "