The 3D system may surpass the first-year sales of the Nintendo DS.

First-year sales of the 3DS may surpass the first-year sales of the original DS console, according to sales data by the NPD Group.

The 3DS sold 1.65 million units since its launch early in the year and is fast approaching its first holiday season, which will include the releases of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. Nintendo expects the system to have surpassed sales of the DS once the holiday season is over.

The original DS sold 2.37 million units starting in November of 2004 and ending on October of 2005.

In October, the 3DS sold 250,000 units. In other Nintendo news, the Wii nearly sold 250,000 units, while the DS sold 180,000 units, despite the presence of the 3DS in the market. Combined, Nintendo moved 675,000 pieces of hardware in October.

The 3DS has seen great growth ever since the price drop happened earlier in the year. Recently in Japan the release of Super Mario 3D Land helped boost sales of the system.