In less than two years since its Nov. 21, 2004 launch, Nintendo has sold more than 21 million Nintendo DS systems worldwide.

If you want a comparison, Apple sold in 19 months only one million units. So, Apple sold 1.2 iPods every minute while Nintendo sold 23 Nintendo DS units every minute. This makes nearly 2 units every second.

“We’re thrilled to be announcing this milestone today,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, “especially since Nintendo DS was North America’s top-selling video game system of any type in June.”

Nintendo recently launched the new version of its popular portable system, DS Lite, featuring a smaller profile and more brilliant display. Beyond appealing attributes such as dual screens, a touch screen, a microphone and seamless Wi-Fi play, DS popularity also is being propelled by a unique mix of software that appeals equally to mainstream players and those new to the category.

To make the Nintendo DS Lite more attractive to the ladies, a pink version was announced late June.

After this year’s E3, the console with the most promising future console was no other than Nintendo WII.

To keep the fans happy, Nintendo continues to increase its software offerings with Star Fox Command, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Clubhouse Games and more games launching in the months ahead. Nintendo DS and DS Lite owners currently enjoy more than 130 Nintendo DS software titles — and 880 Game Boy Advance software titles in single play mode — all playable on their portable DS systems.

Ready for a Nintedo DS?