Nintendo's dominance in enters stark relief today, the Japanese gaming giant confirming that the console sold 8.3 million systems across the continent last year. That's more in 12 months than any home games system ever.

The Wii has now sold 14.2 million units in Europe, 2008's numbers 58% up on 2007's already impressive performance.

The is also a record breaker, selling 11.2 million units last year, a gaming platform record for Europe. Nintendo's portable darling has now sold over 31 million units in the continent alone.

Laurent Fischer, Europe chief, held the record-breaking performance up as a further example of Nintendo tapping into non-traditional markets.

By Luke Guttridge