Nintendo says revenue up by 70 percent

Thanks to robust sales of Nintendo's DS Lite handheld video game console, the company said its revenue was up 70 percent over a year ago.

In less than three weeks, the company plans to launch its much-anticipated Wii console. But according to a report from analyst firm Semico, the DS Lite--a lighter version of the hit handheld, the dual-screen Nitendo DS--is largely responsible for the boost in sales.

Furthermore, Nintendo said it sold more than 10 million DS Lites during the first half of 2006.

And based on the strength of those sales numbers, as well as of the Wii, Nintendo is forecasting total sales of 20 million units by the end of March. Semico said Sony, with its PlayStation Portable and forthcoming PlayStation 3, expects to ship 9 million units in the same time frame.