Nintendo has released a statement emphasising the significance of its contribution to the expanding videogame market.

‭“‬While the video game industry grew by‭ ‬$150‭ ‬million year-on-year,‭” ‬read the statement,‭ “‬Nintendo's total sales grew by‭ ‬$300‭ ‬million in January,‭ ‬offsetting declines on other platforms.‭”

The platform holder adds that January sales of the Wii console climbed‭ ‬148‭ ‬percent year-on-year,‭ ‬while sales of the DS reached about‭ ‬510,000‭ ‬units.‭ ‬The DS has now amassed‭ ‬28‭ ‬million‭ ‬combined sales in‭ ‬North America.

‭"‬Nintendo's significant contribution to January's industry growth validates our internal research showing that Nintendo continues to expand the gaming audience,‭" ‬says‭ ‬Cammie Dunaway,‭ ‬NOA's‭ ‬VP of Sales‭ & ‬Marketing.‭

"We are excited to see that consumers,‭ ‬new and existing,‭ ‬are choosing to entertain themselves in new ways with the diversity of our software lineup,‭"‬ she adds.