With the launch of Microsoft's (News - Alert) motion control console, the Kinect, only about a week away, competitor Nintendo is trying to drum up some publicity of its own. The Japanese video game giant issued a release early this morning that showcased some extremely impressive sales figures for its motion control system, the Nintendo Wii.

According to the company, 65.3 million Wii remote controllers have been sold since the console was introduced in 2006. This means that Nintendo has sold an average of 46,000 remotes each day for the last four years.

What may be more impressive is the fact only 30.41 million remote controllers were included with the Wii console, meaning the system is being enjoyed by households, not just individuals.

"This demonstrates that Wii owners like to play and they like to play together," the release stated. "They’re not the stereotypical gamers playing alone in their parents’ basement. Moms and dads play with their kids, and even grandma and grandpa join in."

Nintendo used the release as an opportunity to remind the public that the iconic, first-generation Wii remote controller will go off the market on Nov. 7. The company will replace the handheld device with the Wii Remote Plus, which features MotionPlus technology that guarantees more accurate movement control.

On the same day, the video game industry's most influential company will release a crimson red version of its famed Wii console to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game.

The system will be bundled with a bright red Nunchuk, a Wii Remote Plus controller and copies of Wii Sports and Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Edition. The complete bundle package sells for a discounted rate of $199.99.

Consumers can also purchase a limited edition Nintendo DSi XL bundle, which will include the handheld console, a copy of Mario Kart DS and several other pre-loaded titles. This package will be priced at $179.99.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf