Is it the Pokémon effect? The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has, for Nintendo DS games alone, finally crossed two milestone marks just recently. Over 5 million unique Nintendo DS owners have gone and played online using their Nintendo DS and/or DS Lites, and have done so enough times that there have been over 200 million connections to the online service.

“Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service,” according to Reggie, Nintendo’s president. “The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.”

The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection currently supports over 65 various Nintendo DS titles, including Mario Kart DS and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Full press release after the break.

NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO DS GAMING SERVICE TOPS 5 MILLION USERS, 200 MILLION GAME SESSIONS
May 30, 2007

Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection has crossed two huge milestones within just days of one another. Worldwide, since its launch in November 2005, Nintendo’s wireless gaming service has now connected more than 5 million unique Nintendo DSâ„¢ owners, and those gamers have racked up more than 200 million game-play sessions. Worldwide, nearly 65 games can be played via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The five most popular globally are Animal Crossing®: Wild World, Mario Kart® DS, Metroid® Prime Hunters, Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

“Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service,” explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.”

Nintendo DS continues to enjoy record-breaking success. According to new figures from the independent NPD Group, DS was again the top-selling video game system in April, with more than 470,000 units sold in the United States alone. That’s nearly 16,000 per day.

Nintendo DS also finds success beyond the stereotypical young male gamer. According to internal Nintendo demographic tracking studies, in less than 18 months, DS purchases have increased by 42 percent among women, 127 percent among people 30 and older and 212 percent among people 35 and older.

For more information about Nintendo DS, please visit www.NintendoDS.com.

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