Solid Start for New Nintendo 3DS XL in the UK

The latest recruit in the Nintendo console parade, the 3DS XL, had a solid start in the UK last week.

Amidst the Olympic celebrations, Nintendo launched the 3DS XL - a larger hardware shell with bigger screens - and it sold "a little shy of five figures", according to GamesIndustry. In just over a day on the market, compared to the original 3DS's seven, the new XL outsold its smaller brother by just over 2:1.

The launch also boosted software sales - up 11% week previous. Mario Kart 7 increased by 45%, Super Mario 3D Land by 37% and Mario & Sonic's Olympic escapades shot up the charts for obvious reasons.

With New Super Mario Bros 2 out at the end of the month, the new XL and original 3DS will likely take home Gold.