Nintendo of America's President Reggie Fils-Aime has stated that Apple are a bigger threat to Nintendo than Microsoft are.

While Nintendo may be outselling Microsoft and Sony in the traditional video game market this does not mean that they have no competition. While Nintendo sold 20 million devices in 2009 Apple has sold 14.1 million iPhones in the quarter ending in September and more and more people are using their phones to play games.

Speaking to Forbes Reggie Fils-Aime commented “do I think that in the near term they [Apple] can hurt us more than Microsoft? Absolutely.” However he is quick to point out that while the iPhone is great for quick and casual gaming, using Angry Birds as an example, the Nintendo DS can offer a longer gaming experience with titles such as Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies.

Nintendo are also in an advantageous position as they have some of the biggest selling gaming franchises in the world. Fourteen of the twenty best selling titles in the current generation are Nintendo titles, with many of those being Mario titles.

It would seem Nintendo do not have direct competition in terms of handheld gaming due to the different approaches each company is taking but Nintendo are very much aware of what, and who, to look out for.