Nintendo has now sold over 5 million 3DS units in the US

Nintendo has announced that it's sold over 5 million 3DS units in the US. This milestone figure was the standout element of the NPD Group's June report into the video game industry.

Though Ninty's handheld console took a little while to find its footing in the US, the release of flagship titles like Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land helped The House of Mario shift 4.5 million units in the US during the 3DS's first year on sale.

However, as Nintendo president Satoru Iwata conceded at a shareholder meeting earlier this month, "[the 3DS's] momentum in the US and Europe is currently weak."

While the 3DS continues to dominate the Japanese console market, accounting for 55 per cent of all consoles sold in that region, the 3DS only holds a 20 per cent share of all gaming hardware sales in the US.

That said, with the Nintendo 3DS XL due to be released soon, and unit-shifting franchise titles like New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon on the horizon, Nintendo is confident about the console's future.

"Nintendo 3DS is entering the next phase of its life cycle with new hardware, new games, and proven franchises. This milestone shows we've got a great foundation to build from," Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive VP of sales and marketing, said.