This is one of several huge steps for Nintendo, who , citing the following numbers to the gaming press.
. This makes Nintendo's Wii the "fastest home video game hardware in history" to hit those numbers. Considering that home consoles used to cost more than a reasonable American sedan, that's probably true, given the Wii's low price point.
. Likely counting both the original DS and the newer DS Lite models, the combined sales "exceeded 100 million units faster than any console or handheld video game hardware in history," according to Nintendo.
Overall, Nintendo made (in yens) 1.8 trillion (US$18.5 billion) in net sales for 2008 , which added up to a 10 percent rise from last year. The company's annual net income was , which is a lot more money than anyone reading this article will ever make in their entire lives.
Interestingly, Japan made the most money for Nintendo's stakeholders, since the launch of a new system or //-related game over there is the general equivalent of a national holiday. With upcoming titles like and ! still in the works for 2009, not to mention the hot release of , Nintendo doesn't look like it's going to stop printing money anytime in the near future.
Wii Fit = 16.37 million
Mario Kart = 15.4 million units
Brain Age/Brain Age 2 = 7.31 million
Pokemon Platinum = 3.75 million
Animal Crossing: City Folk = 3.38 million
Wii Music = 2.65 million
Kirby Superstar Ultra = 2.36 million