Nintendo DS Soon to be Best Selling Game Console of All Time

By Ian Bell May 16, 2010

Video game giant Nintendo is expecting a dent in profits for the first time in six years. Sales for the maker of the bestselling Wii and Nintendo DS took a plunge and dropped by 23 percent.

Profits fell nearly 10 percent, but it appears that despite the fall, the worst may soon be over for the formidable gaming company, based in Kyoto, Japan.

The Nintendo DS, which has been running a close second behind the PlayStation 2, is expected to pass by the popular console in sales by the end of the year. “The NDS is approaching the PS2 as the best-selling hardware system of all time”, says The NPD Group’s Anita Frazier.

While competitors Microsoft reported early this year that they sold over 40 million Xbox 360s and current figures had SonyPlayStation 3 with 33.5 million units sold, Wii sales are at about 71 million and the Nintendo DS are at nearly 129 million so far.

Nintendo has plans to launch a 3DS version that will offer 3D technology, sans 3D glasses, by year’s end.

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The best places to find Purple, Ice, Pink and Rock Pikmin in Pikmin 4

The player stands with Oatchi and some Red Pikmin in Pikmin 4.

While there were only the base Pikmin types of Red, Blue, and Yellow in the original game, there are now nine different types in Pikmin 4. All the originals return, as you would expect, but plenty of new and exciting ones are introduced. Each one still has a unique advantage that allows you to do new things and get to new areas of the massive zones, meaning you will need to utilize each and every one to complete all your tasks. That said, there are some types that are more difficult to find than others. Yes, you could make each type yourself by finding their corresponding onion, however, some onions aren't unlocked until very late into your playtime, or even after you've beaten the game. If you want to know the best places to track down the Purple, Pink, Ice, and Rock Pikmin in Pikmin 4, follow our lead.
Where to find Purple Pikmin

The Purple Pikmin are the first type that is somewhat tricky to find. This type is useful because each one has both the carrying capacity and weight of 10 Pikmin, creating shockwaves when you throw them, but is the slowest of all the types. The first level you can encounter them on is Seren Shores. On this map, head into the Engulfed Castle cave. This is a very dangerous cave, but if you're just looking to bolster your numbers, you can rush in, collect them, and run away.
Where to find Ice Pikmin

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All Flarlic locations in Pikmin 4

A Flarlic growing in a broken pot.

The Pikmin series has always highlighted the idea of commanding huge numbers of tiny creatures at once. With Pikmin 4 utilizing the power of the Switch, more Pikmin than ever can appear on screen, but that doesn't mean you can just grind out an entire army right off the bat. The game will limit you on how many total Pikmin you can control, forcing you to manage your forces between the different types. While this limitation will feel constricting at first, by collecting special plants called Flarlic, you can increase that number by 10. There are 12 total Flarlics to collect, with each stage having one on the surface and one in a cave to find, but you only need eight of them to reach the max Pikmin limit. Here's where to find all the Flarlic in Pikmin 4 so you can travel with a full army.
Sun-Speckled Terrace
The Flarlic you can find on the surface is way up north beyond the electric fence that you need Yellow Pikmin to pass. You'll need at least five Yellow Pikmin to toss up on the potted plant next to the fence in order to reach the Flarlic on the elevated mound.

The second is in the Last-Frost Cavern. Go to the top-left corner of the large northwest room and pluck it out of a sunken plant pot hidden behind some pots you need to smash.
Blossoming Arcadia
Our surface Flarlic is up north on the south side of the water and requires Blue Pikmin to bring back, or Ice Pikmin to freeze the water below it. It is tucked inside a wooden structure you need to toss some Pikmin up to collect.

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Best gaming chair deals: Save on Alienware, Razer, and more

A Razer Iskur X gaming chair sets by a video game setup.

If you’re one of those gamers who takes on the best PC games for hours at a time, you’re going to need the right chair for doing so. Gaming chairs are designed for extended sitting sessions, and they can spell the difference between enjoying and hating your gaming experience. They sometimes come in at a higher prices than standard office chairs, but they make a worthy investment, and right now they’re a great way to pocket some savings. There are quite a few gaming chair deals taking place right now, and we’ve rounded them all up to make your gaming experience as affordable as it is comfortable.
Today’s best gaming chair deals
There are quite a few gaming chair deals to take advantage of right now, with premium names in the gaming business like Alienware and Razer offering discounts on some of their chairs. You’ll also find more affordable options and prices on several chairs well under $200. One of the best values is the deal you’ll find on the Arozzi Mugello Special Edition gaming chair. This gaming chair sees a $50 price drop and a sale price of just $180. The chair itself offers some premium design and plenty of comfort that will make it a more affordable option to the higher end chairs you’ll find deals on right now.

When is the best time to shop gaming chair deals?
Any holiday season is going to be the best time to land a deal on something akin to the best gaming chairs, though it’s pretty easy to find a gaming chair deal throughout the year. Your best bet at landing the largest discount will be major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and Prime Day has become a major event of its own. But with Prime Day behind us and the year’s remaining major shopping season still several months away, right now is as good a time as any to shop gaming chair deals. There’s plenty of savings to be had right now, and there’s plenty of great chairs available at a discount.