With the handheld nearing its first anniversary in the region, Nintendo has pegged lifetime 3DS sales to date at the 4.5 million mark in the US.

The figure means Nintendo has sold almost twice as many 3DS units across the country in its first year as its predecessor managed, with DS's year one total hitting 2.3 million.

All in the numbers

Nintendo's numbers also suggest 3DS is outpacing Sony's PSP, which sold just shy of 4 million units in its first year on sale in the US according to NPD figures.

Nonetheless, while topping DS's total in year one will please those at the top of Nintendo, critics will note 3DS's record-selling predecessor endured a notoriously slow start in the west until the DS Lite launched in the summer of 2006.

Indeed, when compared to DS Lite's first year, 3DS is found wanting, with DS sales in the US coming in at around the 6.7 million mark during DS Lite's first 12 months on sale.

Built for the long haul

There's no doubting 3DS sales have now found a rhythm, however, following a torrid opening six months that forced Nintendo to slash the price of the console.

A combination of the aforementioned price-cut, the eventual appearance of Mario-branded software, and a strong holiday performance propelled sales of the handheld in its second six months, with the device having recently passed the 5 million mark in Japan in record time.

"Nintendo 3DS closes its first year with a lengthy list of accomplishments but we’re still just scratching the surface,” said Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime.

"With a massive lineup of first and third party games and more on the way, a budding library of entertainment options and an engaged and growing installed base, Nintendo 3DS has an incredibly bright future. We're just getting started but this platform is built for the long haul."

[source: BusinessWire]