DS homing in on PS2 record

It may be suffering a little cramp as it races down the closing straight, but Nintendo’s DS handheld now seems well on track to steal gaming’s most cherished sales record.

Sony’s PlayStation 2 currently stands as the world’s most popular console, with total global sales estimated at around 135m units. As of March 31st 2010, total DS sales – including every iteration of the machine – stand at 129m.

NPD’s Anita Frazier estimates that DS will claim the global crown by October or November this year..

It’s a remarkable achievement for a console that was widely ridiculed upon its unveiling by Nintendo in 2004. Compared to another upcoming rival, Sony’s high-tech PSP, the DS seemed to boast dated graphics and an obscure touch-controlled interface.

Yet just six years later it’s on the cusp of claiming our industry’s most coveted accolade, with more than twice the number of sales of Sony’s machine.