Update Nintendo has since announced that Jam with the Band has been postponed internationally and will now be released in South Africa later this year. End of Update

As has become the custom at the launch of anything Nintendo in South Africa, Core Gaming (distributors of Nintendo in SA) revealed a few interesting stats at the recent launch of the DSi XL that are bound to get gamers of different platforms talking.

Matthew Grose, General Manager of the group, was pleased as punch to announce that the Nintendo Wii is now the number 1 third generation console in South Africa, having overtaken the Xbox 360 over the busy Christmas period.

These strong festive season sales and the general momentum of the Wii in South Africa mean that Core Gaming hopes to pass the 150 000 Wii sales mark in South Africa by the middle of the year.

Nintendo also appears to be dominating the software side of things here, no doubt helped along with titles that have proved to be extremely popular the world over. These include two key areas, fitness and Mario: Wii Sports (which is bundled with the console), Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, Mario Kart Wii and New Super Mario Bros. Wii remain top-sellers for the Wii.

The Brain Training games remain popular among the DS titles, with Mario again ruling the roost with Mario Kart DS, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and New Super Mario Bros continuing to sell extremely well.

Turning now to the months that lie ahead in 2010, Core Gaming will be focusing on two stellar franchises, Pokemon and Mario, both sure wins that aim to draw both the traditional gamers and the non-gamers into the gaming arena. Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver hit the shelves last week and we now know that Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be arriving on our shores on the 11th of June. Incidentally our favourite plumber is celebrating his 30th birthday this year so expect great things!

Wii gamers can look forward to a number of stellar titles in the next few months, Monster Hunter Tri (23 April), Samurai Warrior 3 (7 May), Sin & Punishment 2 (7 May) as well as Metroid: Other M and Metroid: Trilogy will be invading our free time with Jam with the Band for the DS scheduled to become available on the 21st of May.