Divnich: 3DS opening beat DS

While Nintendo has yet to release sales figures for 3DS following the console's release in the US and Europe last week, analysts are already pointing to a win over its predecessor, Nintendo DS.

"The 3DS launch in North America and Europe produced sales that Nintendo should be proud of," EEDAR's Jesse Divnich told Industry Gamers.

"Given the awareness and hype over the 3DS, I'd expect week one 3DS sales to surpass week one DS sales from 2004."

The original DS sold 500,000 American units in 10 days when it launched in 2004. DS sold 87,000 units in its first UK weekend in 2005.

3DS sold over 400,000 units in 48 hours when it launched in Japan in February this year.

DFC Intelligence's David Cole also pointed towards a record.

"It is always interesting to watch supply and demand around launch," he said. "Nintendo said last week that they had record pre-orders but they expected plenty of stock and no shortages at stores.

"I think it was really down to just having a full supply where past systems there has always been trouble getting manufacturing up in time for a launch. We think it will be a very successful system.

"Nintendo forecast shipping 4m units of the 3DS through March 31st. That is just a huge amount of hardware. It would be an absolute mind blowing record if they sold out of all of them in such a short time. By contrast the Wii shipped 3m worldwide in its launch period).

"In other words, we could see Nintendo announcing some records soon when figures are tallied."

Thanks, >MCV.