If you got a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas, you aren’t alone. Sales of the portable gaming system topped 4 million units last year.
The device’s surge at retail was buoyed by two flagship franchises marking their return: racing title Mario Kart 7 and action game Super Mario 3D Land.
Citing internal estimates, Nintendo says both games are the first to sell 1 million copies each in the U.S.
A weak slate of launch titles lacking signature series such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda contributed to the 3DS’ initial struggles when it debuted in March 2011.
Meanwhile, Nintendo sold 4.5 million Wii consoles in 2011, down from the 7 million devices consumers scooped up last year. The company plans on launching the Wii’s successor, later this year.
Also, the return of The Legend of Zelda to the Wii has proven popular. Sales of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword have crossed the 1 million mark since its Nov. 20 launch.