Nintendo's DS Lite Sells Out at Launch

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com) for the news (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8357).

The Nintendo DS Lite has proven an expected success on its launch in Japan, with most stores now reporting that they are out of stock, according to online reports from consumer sites 1UP and GameSpot and the official Nintendo Japan website.

Hundreds of Japanese consumers lined up in the early hours of the morning to be amongst the first to obtain the new version of the console – actions usually reserved only for new hardware launches. Interestingly, the demographics of the waiting crowds was much more varied than the traditional young males associated with such queues.
No big surprise at all.

[AversionFX]

Who didn't see this coming, seriously?

That in mind, I think I might have to join the DS hype and pick one up.

[solinari6]

I had one on preorder at lik-sang.com. Got an email this morning that not only do they not have any left to ship, but they're jacking the price up from $170 to $200. :(

[benig]

If you have a girlfriend you want to get into gaming, The DS is the perfect system. The control methods for some of the games are just super intuitive. There's no "What does this button do...", she just clicks away. Animal Crossing, Princess Peach, Phoenix Wright and Nintendogs have been proven hits with her.

[Blade]

It's the perfect handheld for first-timers and 20-year veterans alike.

That said, I recall myself and others forecasting doom for the DS about a year ago... just as myself and others are critical of the PSP right now. Here's hoping that Sony's handheld catches fire too.

[Lutheran]

I want one of these , any idea when its coming to the US? I mean , its a no brainer it will be sold here sooner or later.

[StoneGut]

Nintendo = Smart S.O.B.s

[Nite_Moogle]

There hasn't been an announced date yet Lutheran, I'd bet we see it sometime around E3 when they can actually keep it on the shelves in Japan.

[jacktion]

It's nice to see the DS kicking so much ass after so many people said it would be Nintendo's doom.

Nintendo's new philosophy seems to be "smarter, not harder".
Whereas their competition seems to be all about going bigger, more tech, more expensive; Nintendo is really going for smarter, more intuitive design. I am curious to see how this works out for the Rev. Will it bomb? Who knows?

[UnderHero5]

I thought I read that there were only something like 200k DS Lites ready for the Japanese launch.
Probably why it sold out so fast. That's nothing.

If I'm remembering correctly, that is.

[Lutheran]

They are selling for 300 on ebay

[Pumped'Up]

No big surprise at all.
This entirely depends on how many units were produced. This thread is a not telling everything..... fan boyism fitbabits?

Regardless, Americans/Microsoft should take a lesson from the Japanese on how to redesign/repackaging the XBOX. Since backwards compatibility is terrible on the 360, the Xbox is far from throw away. Obviously MS is still pushing the Xbox and therefore to increase sales (it's pretty much stagnated since the release of 360), MS should release a slimline version.

[fitbabits]

This entirely depends on how many units were produced. This thread is a not telling everything..... fan boyism fitbabits?
Yowza, that's a new one. I've been accused of being a fanboy before, but never for Nintendo! I feel oddly chuffed.

[31 Flavas]

Heh, awesome. And we still have the launch of the Ice Blue and Enamal Navy to come.....

Tell me again, .... Who was it that said, "the DS doesn't have anything, at all, anyone would want"

[Rakael]

Yowza, that's a new one. I've been accused of being a fanboy before, but never for Nintendo! I feel oddly chuffed.

By a raving fanboy no less. I'm here if you need a hug.

[Grimmjow]

Who didn't see this coming, seriously?

That in mind, I think I might have to join the DS hype and pick one up.

i was thinking the same thing, i know people who are buying older version DS and selling it in japan and there gettign CHEESE! cuz there soldout there...im thinking bout jus purchasing a DS lite, seems like a good investment :)

[31 Flavas]

Yowza, that's a new one. I've been accused of being a fanboy before, but never for Nintendo! I feel oddly chuffed.Awww... you don't need to be so huffy puffy... I'm sure i've been called a Sony fanboy at least once before, too.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Fitbabits and 31 Flavas - by worst the worst fanboys on Evil Avatar. Just do the rest of us a favor and bugger off already, sheesh. :rolleyes:

[copasetic]

I thought I read that there were only something like 200k DS Lites ready for the Japanese launch.
Probably why it sold out so fast. That's nothing.

If I'm remembering correctly, that is.

Yeah, selling out a system that has already been launched once before is nothing. Thats one days worth of sales. They usually sell between 30,000 and 50,000 a week (and they lead the japanese market, as you all know).

[Stormwatcher]

I think that the DS is the Revolution Lite. And I do think that the revolution will follow in its footsteps... I think that the current portable war is a preview of the console war for the next gen. at least for the japanese companies.

[net7runner]

I think that the current portable war is a preview of the console war for the next gen.
What, Nintendo with a cheaper, more easily accessible system that is supported by a great game portfolio going up against the sleek, stylish, and horribly expensive Sony offering which only has a few truly interesting games? Naw...

[UnderHero5]

Yeah, selling out a system that has already been launched once before is nothing. Thats one days worth of sales. They usually sell between 30,000 and 50,000 a week (and they lead the japanese market, as you all know).
I didn't mean the fact that they sold out was "nothing". I was refering to the amount they had ready for launch. 200k units is nothing when you look at how popular and in-demand the DS is there. That's what I was saying. Don't get so defensive :p
I have a DS and plan on getting a Lite once it's released here (US).

I'm still not even sure if 200k is the correct number. I remember reading is was some small amount, but I honestly can't remember the number... 200k just comes to mind.

[hideouslywrinkled]

I'm still not even sure if 200k is the correct number. I remember reading is was some small amount, but I honestly can't remember the number... 200k just comes to mind.

I think I know what you're talking about. I saw an IGN (http://ds.ign.com/articles/692/692737p1.html) article that said Nintendo is shipping 450k DS lites and 200k DS heavies... darks...(?).

I don't know that those numbers apply to the first day though... maybe that's the initial DS lite shipment (i.e. including the color variations that ship a week from Saturday).

[KamaItachi]

I thought I read that there were only something like 200k DS Lites ready for the Japanese launch.
Probably why it sold out so fast. That's nothing.

If I'm remembering correctly, that is.

Apparently, some shops were getting as little as 4-5 units. I know a lot of people who took the day off and went camping at their local electronic shops to try and get their hands on one.

Last time I looked at Yahoo auctions they were going for well over $400. Personally, a DSlite is on my want list, but I think I can wait.

[aversion2k]

If you have a girlfriend you want to get into gaming, The DS is the perfect system. The control methods for some of the games are just super intuitive. There's no "What does this button do...", she just clicks away. Animal Crossing, Princess Peach, Phoenix Wright and Nintendogs have been proven hits with her.

Same thing happened with my gf :P same games too

[outontheporch]

I like metroid.

[Aries7777]

Personally, I like the DS, but I like the PSP so much more simply because of its functionality.

[mister_slim]

Regardless, Americans/Microsoft should take a lesson from the Japanese on how to redesign/repackaging the XBOX. Since backwards compatibility is terrible on the 360, the Xbox is far from throw away. Obviously MS is still pushing the Xbox and therefore to increase sales (it's pretty much stagnated since the release of 360), MS should release a slimline version.
I should point out, I guess, that Apple is an American company.

[Stormwatcher]

Personally, I like the DS, but I like the PSP so much more simply because of its functionality.

Yeah, but how much gaming do you get out of a PSP?

[Rylos]

I didn't mean the fact that they sold out was "nothing". I was refering to the amount they had ready for launch. 200k units is nothing when you look at how popular and in-demand the DS is there. That's what I was saying. Don't get so defensive :p
I have a DS and plan on getting a Lite once it's released here (US).

I'm still not even sure if 200k is the correct number. I remember reading is was some small amount, but I honestly can't remember the number... 200k just comes to mind.

I saw this (http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3808) article/preview on Lik Sang. It mentions initial numbers of 280,000 for all three colours but with the delay of the navy and ice blue units, that number dropped to 93,000 units. Those numbers are all based on rumours though. :p

[thewayistao]

200,000 Fatty DS's
450,000 ds lite's
_______
650,000 (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3148547)

for march :D