Today Nintendo announced its claim of #2-selling console, racing ahead of the Xbox to end 2003.

Nintendo reported a 70% increase in Gamecube sales globally over 2002 and a staggering 35% in the U.S. alone. The report concluded that PS2 sales dropped 25% and the Xbox sales showed no specific gains.

This boost is a result of the aggressive price drop to $99 in late September. Microsoft and Sony did not follow suit most likely because of hardware expenses, a factor in which Nintendo usually makes great strides.

Sony and Microsoft had no immediate comment, but for now, Nintendo can ride the momentum toward a better reputation among the higher demographic.