'Super Mario 64' sells 5 million copies on Nintendo DS

Slotting in behind New Super Mario Bros with 10.6 million and Mario Kart DS's 8.5 million, the trio's success illustrates why Nintendo was so efficient in releasing successors New Super Mario Bros 2, Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario Land 3D so early in the 3DS's lifecycle.

On the other hand, Super Mario 64 DS reaches this milestone rather late in the life of the DS and when the 3DS has been on the market for a year and a half.

One of Nintendo's recent challenges was that of jumpstarting 3DS sales when, in the eyes of consumers, its branding and appearance was so similar to the DS, while a no-glasses 3D effect helped make it the more expensive option.

However, a late 2011 price cut, expanded color choices, a strong game catalogue, and a large screen variant called the 3DS XL have been contributing to an improved uptake -- as have canny advertising campaigns featuring Robin Williams and his daughter Zelda, Penelope Cruz, and, more recently, Glee's Dianna Argon and Olympian Gabby Douglas.