A Japanese newspaper is reporting this week that the handheld is on the brink of the 100 million milestone, and that the handheld could top this figure by the end of March.

According to Kotaku, this sales total is cumulative, and covers the original DS, the DS Lite, and the new model.

The handheld platform - which introduced dual-screen gaming and touch interfaces - was first released in North America and in 2004, with a European debut following in 2005.

At the end of 2008 the official total stood at over 96 million units, meaning that the 100 million landmark could be beaten in a matter of days. Yet another excuse for champagne at Nintendo...

Update: We spoke ever so slightly too soon it would seem. The DS has in fact now passed the 100 million mark, the platform holder revealing the news this afternoon.

By Luke Guttridge