GamesIndustry declares the Nintendo DS as the
unquestionably the success story of 2005. When the handheld was first announced back in 2004, fanboys and critics
dismissed the portable as gimmicky and well, ugly. Many believed the unit was rushed out the door until a proper Game
Boy Advanced 2 unveiling. That was not the case for the DS in 2005.From the article: "The DS provides perfect evidence for the argument that more innovation in videogaming will bring in new audiences. The second, perhaps more relevant, point is that the success of the DS needs to be put in context alongside the incredibly tough environment experienced by other platforms at retail last year. At a time when almost everything else was in decline, Nintendo's star rose - doing much to save the bottom lines of some retailers and perhaps even publishers in the process."
Ugly duckling works, or the little train that could. Anything to stay consistent with Nintendo's unavoidable kiddy image. Cheers for innovative gaming on the DS (as I preach to the choir).
