Nintendo consoles are obviously more reliable than other consoles. That is why sales data is so useless as a measure of popularity or in an argument over which console is better. In order to make sales data actually mean something, you have to factor in the return rate, people buying multiple of the same console when they both work, and the flow of used consoles throughout the market. If used consoles are sold in large quantities, it is likely that the console in question is more of a fad than a permanent gem.
You also have to factor in that while consoles are usually one per family, families are more likely to have every kid own a ds than 1 for the family to share. This is why ds sales are getting so close to passing the ps2 also.
On another note, I actually was able to buy my wii at a gamestop around thanksgiving 07 because someone faked that their console was defective so they had extra backups in the back that nobody knew about. It was quite the stroke of luck.
I'm not a fanboy, I just don't enjoy dual analog control. It's d-pad or wii-mote for me.
the conduit has changed the way wii play games. 
I know. I'm sick of the puns too.
