More than five million Nintendo DS users have connected online to battle against real-life gaming opponents, according to the latest figures released by the Japanese entertainment giant. 

Nintendo also revealed that it has hosted more than 200 million games across its online games platform.

The online service recently launched in Europe to host Nintendo Wii games, with Mario Strikers: Charged Football the first title to allow Wii owners to battle each other.

"Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection allows Nintendo DS and Wii owners to play a game with a friend, or against another player around the world and experience many hours of fun without needing to worry about complicated procedures or paying anything extra for the service," said Laurent Fischer, European marketing director at Nintendo.

The service allows almost 65 games to be played online. The five most popular DS titles are Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

Nintendo had sold more than 11 million DS units by the end of March 2007.