Nintendo's doggy simulation becomes a phenomenon in America too, as it sells through a quarter of a million units in its first week...

With sales of a quarter of a million units in its first week of availability, Nintendogs is not only America's hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new game franchise ever for a portable system.

Nintendo is having to deliver more shipments of the game, as retailers report the game has sold out in several locations across America. The three versions of Nintendogs and the DS unit itself consistently rank at the top of Amazon.com's best-selling list of all video game products.

"Nearly 15 percent of all DS owners bought Nintendogs in just a week, a virtually unprecedented adoption rate for any title on an established system," explained Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's cult figure and executive vice president of sales & marketing. He said the game was also helping sell DS hardware. "Coupled with a price drop to $129.99, retailers are reporting DS sales up between one and a half and three times previous levels, and last week DS comfortably outsold our portable competitors."

After becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan earlier this year, it launched in the United States last month on August 22, and is set to hit European shores this October.