DSi launch in US scheduled “well into” 2009
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 at 12:49pm by SeanAs was also predicted before Nintendo unveiled the DSi at its Japanese press show yesterday, the DSi will be pretty much Japan-only for now. There’s simply too much money to be made with the thing in the US and Europe, Reggie said today, so don’t hold your breath.
“Last year we sold more DS hardware than had ever been sold on a console platform than any calendar year,” he said. “There is still ever growing demand for the DS Lite… there is plenty of new software to take advantage of the existing software right here, right now. We have a long way to go before we achieve the penetration rate that has been achieved in Japan”
Expect more from the conference later today…
Ed Note: Post written by Jack using Sean’s notes from the show.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
They are going to sell the whole inventory before introducing the new model to the market. I guess DSi will be released just before the summer.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hmmm… admitting that it is too soon in America for the DSi, while at the same time announcing a new system that wasn’t really needed. Now what if American customers stop buying the DS Lite and just wait until this one comes out? Then Nintendo has shot themselves in the foot and the DS Lite sales will taper off greatly instead of continuing to fly.
If you are going to let the world know you have a new system, you may as well get rid of the old one so people have to buy the new one. Leaving us a choice may make people say no to the DS Lite.
Comments?
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I just hope they actually get it out before next August. This sounds like the perfect gift for my brother to buy for my son’s birthday.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
@Brian:
Some sales will be lost, but many casual consumers either won’t know about the DSi before it actually hits stores or won’t really care enough to wait – especially when shopping for Christmas gifts.
Also, there probably isn’t much of a choice. Introducing the DSi in all markets before Christmas would be madness unless Nintendo has already been manufacturing them. There just wouldn’t be enough supply to meet demand, and more sales would be lost by having both on the market (with one always sold out) than by announcing that the revision will be available “sometime next year”.
What I’m interested to see is how Nintendo convinces all the new and existing DS owners that they will need to upgrade next year. The feature set as announced isn’t ground breaking enough that I’d be willing to drop another $180 if I already owned a DS…
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I hope that late 2009 won’t be too late, as I want my DSi with Opera as soon as possible.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The solution: have Nintendo drop the price of the DS Lite here in the States to no more than $100 before Thanksgiving! That will take care of the existing inventory!
Although I don’t think there are any DS Lites around, anyway… They sell as fast as Wiis!
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I can understand the point Reggie is making here with not wanting to sell the Nintendo DSi until 2009 because of the DS Lite’s current overwhelming success here. But C’MON NOW!, really, the DSi looks a WHOLE lot better than the Lite. Even if does look like a clone with a couple of different looks and new functions. I want to try that new DSi Shop and Mario & Luigi 3. I just can’t wait!
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I hope the hing design has been improved to be more robust.
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Yeah I guess a DS Lite price drop would be nice. That would help get it sold to moms of all of the kids who are too young to be irked over the DSi coming out. (yet)
October 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Well looks like it’s an import for me (for a reasonable price.)
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
i think that the DSi hopefully takes over the Dslite because lites are so unnesserary anymore with DSi haveing all the features but MOAR