OSAKA (Kyodo) Global sales of the Nintendo Co.'s Wii game console have topped 50 million units in two years and four months since its North American debut in November 2006, the company said Thursday.
The easy-to-play Wii, with its wireless motion-sensing controllers, has become a hit even with female and elderly players, who are not traditionally the game industry's biggest consumers, industry observers said.
The Wii's success is also due in part to its unique games, which include "Wii Fit," which uses a game format to get players to exercise.
Earlier this month, sales of the Nintendo DS, a hand-held console with two screens, reached 100 million units worldwide in a blazing four years and three months, faster than any game console.