Driven by fast-selling software Nintendo 3DS sells more in its first nine months than Wii did, capping a very good 2011 for the game maker. Whether they were on the go or at home, whether they played in 2D on the TV or in glasses-free 3D in their hands, gamers of all ages celebrated the holidays with Mario and Zelda. Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS not only became the fastest-selling titles in the history of their respective franchises when they launched, but they are now also the first Nintendo 3DS titles to sell 1 million units each in the United States. On the console side, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which also broke launch records, became the 45 Wii title to sell more than 1 million units in the U.S.

Nintendo has seen better days.  Not only was it forced to downgrade its price on the Nintendo 3DS to improve sales and business attention, but it's facing flack from investors for its previously announced Wii U system.  Furthermore, the same investors are pressuring Nintendo to spread some of its business to mobile platforms, specifically iPad and iPhone.  To which we respond: "Hey, why not?"