Topic: This Just In: DS Lite Popular in Japan

[Jonnyboy117]

Japanese launch of the pink version of the system causes lineups at retailers, riots, melees, widespread panic, and general chaos.  OK, maybe just lineups.

Some new pictures posted on the website of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu demonstate how much of a phenomenon the DS Lite has become in Japan.  Today's launch of the "Noble Pink" version of the system resulted in lineups at retailers that stretched down blocks and around corners.    

It's not clear whether most of these people specifically want the pink system or just any DS system at all.  Both the original version and DS Lite have been consistently sold out in Japan for most of 2006.  The launch of Noble Pink isn't just a new color introduction, but also a restock of the most popular consumer electronics item in Japan.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I posted link to other pics in the DS sales thread, but this is just insane. People of all ages are lining up for a new color of the DS Lite... Not a new game but a new color of the system which they probably already own twice.

And where is Reggie at with some U.S. exclusive colors or atleast some variety. I want my BLACK DSL now!!!!

[Louieturkey]

Hey, guess there will be a huge spike in sales this week.  When is the Black version coming out?  And for that matter, when are they creating a flourescent yellow or green one?

In fact, they should release a new color every month.  That would increase sales all the time.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Actually what I would like to see is a Chrome(mirror finish) DSL exclusive to the U.S.
They could call it Platinum Polish and get the whole Bling crowd that needs platinum griilz and 20 spinnin rims, essentially moving into the rather large hip-hop crowd.

But to be back on topic, look how many men are lining up to buy a PINK DSL. You know most of them are buying them for themselves and not for girlfirends, mom or sisters.

[Ian Sane]

Why is the DS so damn popular in Japan?  I think the DS is a decent system and all but I wouldn't even consider it for the ballot for "best system ever" or even "best Nintendo system ever".  Maybe it's because I'm not Japanese so I don't see the appeal?  Is it like some status symbol over there or what?

[NWR_Lindy]

That's what I surprsed me too...these lineups aren't just children or girls.  It's guys and girls, men and women, young and old, all lining up to buy a pink version of the system.  Totally wild.

[Athrun Zala]

actually, I'd love a color reminicent to the "Ice Blue" GBP

or apple Green.....

or apple Red.....

*drool*

[Spak-Spang]

I think the DS represents a cultural shift with gaming...and therefore a cultural phenomenon.

The DS is a cheap computer device that actually plays really great games (instead of PDAs, Cell phones, and such that play crap games) and has some sophisticated software for adults to learn or to play.

The DS is a fantastic system, and I actually would nominate it for Nintendo's best system ever made.  

I even think that Nintendo may be able to recreate the madness of the DS crazy here if they continue to release great adult software to enjoy.

Personally, I hope someone uses the DS and creates a nice scientific caculator program with graphing on the topscreen, which can be brought to the bottom screen for further analysis.  

I think this would make a great software application that could even do more things than possible with a regular calculator.  

READ:  Draw a line on a graph, and have the system calculate a formula for said graph.

[Ian Sane]

Regarding colours I'd like to see a pooish brown DS.  Why?  Because then it would so unpopular they would have to lower the price to clear them out and I could get quality electronics for cheap because other people allow visual appearance to cloud their opinion of a functional item.

I also want some car manufacturer to make the ugliest car ever that is so unpopular they have to sell brand new models for like $1000.

[Tuxedo.Bond]

Oh yeah, I remember the Ice Blue GBP, that was sweet.

And darn it Louieturkey! Why did you have to go and make me think of how cool looking those colors would be on a DS Lite?

The US needs more colors man! I don't want an iPod white system!

[Jonnyboy117]

Chris Kohler has noted that the DS (either fat or Lite) is very difficult to find in Japan, as it has been sold out for much of 2006.  So these people lining up may be excited to get a DSL regardless of its color.

[Ceric]

More variety of Software.  That's why it's more popular.  Japan gets the most games, US get second, Aus gets shafted, and Europe gets the Shaft but gets some exclusives to there region, unlike US who only gets less from Japan.

[couchmonkey]

Ian: Maybe Nintendo's non-gamer plan is working in Japan.  The best-selling games are Brain Training and Animal Crossing, which I'm guessing you have minimal interest in.  Looking at the system from a traditional games standpoint, it's doing well, but I agree that it's not crazy...looking at it from a weirdo stylus games / non-games standpoint, it's unmatched.

That, and New Super Mario Bros.  People love Super Mario Bros, I think a lot of people world-wide are buying the system just for that.

[Louieturkey]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
Ian: Maybe Nintendo's non-gamer plan is working in Japan.  The best-selling games are Brain Training and Animal Crossing, which I'm guessing you have minimal interest in.  Looking at the system from a traditional games standpoint, it's doing well, but I agree that it's not crazy...looking at it from a weirdo stylus games / non-games standpoint, it's unmatched.

That, and New Super Mario Bros.  People love Super Mario Bros, I think a lot of people world-wide are buying the system just for that.

I got mine because I got NSMB for a wedding present.  I still am having trouble getting into world 7 unfortunately.  However, I also wanted to play Brain Training and am planning on getting Tetris DS at some point.  Also, some of the new RPGs that are coming out for it look sweet(FFIII just one of them).  I also really want Cooking Mama in the US.

Maybe Japan is thinking along my lines.  All these cool games to get.  Must have system to play the games.  Gotta get the system then.

[JonLeung]

It must be a slow news day to report something as obvious as "the DS Lite is popular in Japan", really.

[Arbok]

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
That, and New Super Mario Bros.  People love Super Mario Bros, I think a lot of people world-wide are buying the system just for that.

DS started flying off the shelves long before the release of NSMB was even close. If you are going to credit one game for its success, it would probably have to be Nintendogs (and this is coming from someone who doesn't even own the game).

[Louieturkey]

Quote
Originally posted by: Arbok

Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
That, and New Super Mario Bros.  People love Super Mario Bros, I think a lot of people world-wide are buying the system just for that.

DS started flying off the shelves long before the release of NSMB was even close. If you are going to credit one game for its success, it would probably have to be Nintendogs (and this is coming from someone who doesn't even own the game).

Actually, I'd say Brain Training 2 is when Nintendo could no longer keep the system in stock.  Then the Lite came out and it got even worse.

[Mario323]

Girls and gays lined up to get the new Pink DS Lite.  

[WuTangTurtle]

hmm, i think u mean guys, but im sure g@y and lesbians are buying the DS too.

Overall though i think Nintendo should stop making colors for Japan, the people there just want a DS in general and having multiple colors is pushing the production factories to their limit.

As for why the Japanese are so in love with the DS is simple.  In Japan it is highly usual almost like a disease that if a considerable amount of people get something then they have to also.  For Japan this is a much larger issue than what Americans are used to.  Also just think Japanese love lines, maybe they just saw a line and went "OMFG a line, H3lls yeah!  Mom don't wait up im goin in!"

[Crimm]

I'm pretty much convinced that NCL could release whatever color they wanted, and still get monumental lines.

[Bill Aurion]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Regarding colours I'd like to see a pooish brown DS.  Why?  Because then it would so unpopular they would have to lower the price to clear them out and I could get quality electronics for cheap because other people allow visual appearance to cloud their opinion of a functional item.

I also want some car manufacturer to make the ugliest car ever that is so unpopular they have to sell brand new models for like $1000.

I think you just wanted to end where I bolded...I mean, you must be getting upset that you can't complain about sales! =D

[Infernal Monkey]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Why is the DS so damn popular in Japan?  I think the DS is a decent system and all but I wouldn't even consider it for the ballot for "best system ever" or even "best Nintendo system ever".  Maybe it's because I'm not Japanese so I don't see the appeal?  Is it like some status symbol over there or what?

This just in, Ian reads his posts out loud to a DS, pooish brown coloured DS is born!

[Berto2K]

What I don't get, is why JPN will have like 6 different colored DSL units out by year end and at this point NA still has the 1.  WTF can't we even get one of the other 2 JPN launch colors at least.. -___-

[EasyCure]

Quote
Also just think Japanese love lines, maybe they just saw a line and went "OMFG a line, H3lls yeah! Mom don't wait up im goin in!"

i like that bit. it makes sense too. i remember waiting to get in to the nintendo world store in nyc for the e3 coverage and people walking buy curiously, and few of them curious enough to ask what the line was for. maybe japan really is just crazy about lines, so much so that they dont even bother knowing what it is but just jump on in because in their culture any long line means something crazy and whacky is waiting at the end (beginning technically) of it.

as for the colors in US.... as much as i hope it doesnt end up being true, i've always thought that nintendo is still figuring out which colors to launch the Wii in, and don't want to confuse potential customers into thinking they can have a black wii if they release a black dsl, when they might just go with an only white console launch. think about it, all the recent photos we've seen is the white colored console, not the black. the same goes for the controllers; the main wiimote/nunchaku combo has only been shown in white recently, and the classic controller and zapper have only ever been shown in white. hell have we ever seen a photo of a black wii and/or wiimote that wasnt a nintendo press release with some japanese hand model holding the system?

[BlackNMild2k1]

Quote
Originally posted by: EasyCure

as for the colors in US.... as much as i hope it doesnt end up being true, i've always thought that nintendo is still figuring out which colors to launch the Wii in, and don't want to confuse potential customers into thinking they can have a black wii if they release a black dsl, when they might just go with an only white console launch. think about it, all the recent photos we've seen is the white colored console, not the black. the same goes for the controllers; the main wiimote/nunchaku combo has only been shown in white recently, and the classic controller and zapper have only ever been shown in white. hell have we ever seen a photo of a black wii and/or wiimote that wasnt a nintendo press release with some japanese hand model holding the system?

Actually in the newest Nintendo Power they not only show a black wiimote and nunchuck but it also has a (previously unannounced)purple button in the left side.

I'll provide a link to where to find the scan if you ask.