The data, provided by NPD Group, says that 2.04 million Wiis and 1.57 million DS units were sold in November. By comparison, Microsoft's Xbox 360 sold 836,000 units, and Sony's PSP sold 421,000 units. Sony's PS3 gaming console, which also plays Blu-ray discs, sold just 378,000 units. Sony's older PS2 system sold 206,000 units.

Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing, said in a press release that "Nintendo's record-breaking sales demonstrate that consumers are looking for the best value not only among video games, but also among all entertainment options."

However, NPD Group cited comments by analyst Anita Frazier that claimed the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 also "have something to brag about" in the November sales data. "The 360 realized a nice unit sales bump over last November and the PS3 year-to-date unit sales growth is impressive," she was quoted as saying. "It's clear there can be more multiple victors this generation and while price is certainly a strong factor, particularly as the current economic situation continues to prevail, the most important factor that will drive success in 2009 will be the line-up of compelling games that will keep consumers involved in the industry."

There are signs that sales of the Wii would have been even higher in November, if supplies were able to keep up with demand. For the third holiday season in a row, major online and brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled to keep the popular gaming console in stock. On Wednesday, a senior Nintendo of America official acknowledged localized Wii shortages in the run-up to the holiday, but said that U.S. supplies are up 50% over the same period last year.

Sources cited, referenced, or consulted: David Riley (NPD Group), Anita Frazier (NPD Group), Rachel Lichterman (GolinHarris for Nintendo of America), Cammie Dunaway (Nintendo of America).