Japanese still in love with DS
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Jul 5th 2006 at 12:55PM }
As new colors and themes begin to surface, the DS Lite continues to take Japan by storm. According to recent numbers, the DS Lite sold 575,000 units last month bringing its grand total to 2.6 million since its launch. The system certainly has been quite the killer, despite some who claimed early on that the dual screen idea would just be a gimmick.
In software news, New Super Mario Bros. sold nearly 1 million copies this past month with a total of 1.8 million bought in Japan. Proof that the Mario franchise is as strong as ever -- at least over there. With Nintendo still chugging along so well, could this be signs of a successful Wii to come?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronnie @ Jul 5th 2006 1:02PM
In the months leading up to the DS launch I really thought nintendo had lost their minds and were done for. They really pulled this thing off huge, good to see.
Varian @ Jul 5th 2006 1:02PM
Because of the DS's success, Japan's console video game market now is LARGER than the American market. Check out the stats for this year so far and you'll find Japan ahead of the USA.
To those who said Japan doesn't matter... haha. It looks like Japan will be the spoiler in the next console war.
Unissus @ Jul 5th 2006 1:02PM
Probably in Japan, but I think here in the states the Xbox 360 may do better. The PS3 is too expensive in my opinion, and I think it may fall to 3rd place.
Tony @ Jul 5th 2006 1:03PM
Miyamoto's picture there is hilarious.
Also, it's great to hear that Nintendo is still going strong over there. Good luck on the Wii, guys!
REY2K7 @ Jul 5th 2006 1:06PM
yeah ... he looks like you.
J B Cougar @ Jul 5th 2006 1:08PM
Oh Joystiq, can I conveniently ignore all of your past pro-360/PS3 posts from years past and just label you biased towards Nintendo just for the fun of it? I figure it will fit right in with the ignorant flames that are surely headed in your direction following a puffy, meatball of a softball pitch like this one:
"With Nintendo still chugging along so well, could this be signs of a successful Wii to come?"
After I read that, I could swear I heard the collective explosion of all 12 of the remaining PS3 supporters' heads. But, it was only a figment of my imagination, as that sound was actually those very same 12 people grabbing their keyboards to belt out a four sentence unspellchecked monstronsity based loosely on variations on this theme:
"Joystiq blows and wants to suck on a Wiii!"
While breathtakingly original, it lacks the spunk of a blatantly racist PSP marketing campaign, and falls well short of what we've all come to expect from Sony Logic: a healthy dose arrogance mixed in with delusion topped with a bit of the ol' doomed rat trapped in a corner.
that guy @ Jul 5th 2006 1:13PM
I laugh whenever an ignorant North American says that what happens in Japan doesn't affect what happens in N.A.
It's like the butterfly effect, and Japan is a really, really big butterfly.
tactics @ Jul 5th 2006 1:15PM
jb cougar: awesome.
joystiq: why the hell are you giving Varian negative stars? goodness gracious. don't you know who Varian is?!
-"superfan" tactics.
Seanspace @ Jul 5th 2006 1:18PM
well, duh. that's what nintendo has been doing along. he do baby steps first with the ds then do big steps with the wii.
1up_clock @ Jul 5th 2006 1:18PM
I can hear Miyamoto in that picture, saying, "Don't look at me, I just make games, not the consoles."
Raynre @ Jul 5th 2006 1:19PM
"...New Super Mario Bros. sold nearly 1 million copies with a total of 1.8 million bought in Japan..."
... Wait, what?
Jake @ Jul 5th 2006 1:22PM
Japanese and American taste differs. I think the Wii will do great in Japan, because it has going for it what the DS has going. But, Japanese taste doesn't really affect American taste.
Case in point
360 in the USA--doing pretty good
360 in Japan--Selling less than PS2 replacement consoles
DS in USA--Almost keeping up with the PSP
DS in Japan--Smokin Hawt
The Japanese like quirky fun. The Americans like intense fun.
Raynre @ Jul 5th 2006 1:23PM
Ah, nevermind, I went and read the article in the link. Bad sentance structure Joystiq. XD
vidGuy @ Jul 5th 2006 1:26PM
360 by a moderate margin in the US
Wii by a large margin in Japan
Wii by a slight margin worldwide
PS3 sells hot for a few months, with numerous consoles going for upwards of $1500 in the secondary market, then falls on its face between the early adopters and the bargain bin. Less than 4 million sold by 2008.
student @ Jul 5th 2006 1:26PM
What I'm curious about now is... will nintendo ever go back to gameboy? With the DS succeeding tremendously, would it go against the new Nintendo slogan by making a standard handheld? Along similar lines, will nintendo consoles ever use a normal controller again?
It's kind of early to wonder about it, but Nintendos current consoles are making me more and more curious about what they plan to do NEXT.
devi8i @ Jul 5th 2006 1:53PM
Note to self.......Don't let wife play Tetris DS online unless you want to be forced to purchase another DS"
I know why the sells are so high, having just been forced to purchase another DS Lite.
SuicideNinja @ Jul 5th 2006 2:07PM
Actually, now that I think about it, I've only seen one or two people that were unhappy with the DS. As for the PSP...I've seen the opposite. But maybe that was just interjecting fanboys?
If the DS is a sign of a successful Wii, is the PSP a sign of a moderate PS3? The PSP sells okay for now...but the "fashionability" of the device is bound to wear off. UMD movies already have.
*looks at dusty PSP on shelf*
Arrakis @ Jul 5th 2006 2:08PM
@ 14
Nintendo never gave up support for the Gameboy, games are still being produced for it, and happily enough the same games can be played on the DS. How's that for backward compatability?
Also ; Nintendo hasn't given up on the standard controller, it seems. Just look at the virtual console attachment, as well as the light gun shell. It looks like they're going the opposite direction and resurrecting the older controller types! And this move makes perfect sense with the Virtual Console.
/
I just wonder now where Nintendo has to go after the Wii. Will they release newer consoles but keep the Wii-mote as the controller? This makes some sense considering what Nintendo might be able to pull of with it.
Is the success of the DS a clear indicator of how succesful Nintendo will be in the Japanese market? While the success of the handheld is good indicator of how well Nintendo understands their Japanese market there's also a possibility that that same market might possibly be evolving away from consoles and developing a keener interest in handheld systems?
I'm not basing any of this on hard fact. These are mostly idle musings I've had about Nintendo for a while. I've been thinking a lot about that company ever since E3; I must have watched that intro with Miyamoto conducting the virtual orchestra a dozen times. My interest in consoles had waned up until that point.
Arrakis @ Jul 5th 2006 2:12PM
Err. "Is the success of the DS a clear indicator of how succesful Nintendo Wii will be in the Japanese market? "
Sorry. It must have been the similarity between 'Wii' and 'will' that my brain farted.
And that is indeed a great picture of Miyamoto.
in8 @ Jul 5th 2006 2:16PM
jb cougar: awesome.
@ devi8i: Got your same problem (same game & with AC:WW also)
*sigh*
Marc @ Jul 5th 2006 2:31PM
"It's like the butterfly effect, and Japan is a really, really big butterfly."
hehe....Mothra.
Oh and student, what Arrakis said is true. Nintendo's still making games for the good ol' Gameboy. But, unfortunately, the Gameboy micro is the last in the line of Gameboys. No more will ever be made, so I suggest you go to the nearest retailer and you pick one up, it's worth it.
kelekod @ Jul 5th 2006 2:41PM
@15, 18
I'm gonna have to if I plan to finish Hunters and start playing MP with it. My girlfriend took my DS, New Super Mario Brothers, Tetris DS, Brain Age..
Anyone know how to import a DS from Japan? (i ask because I'd like to get her a pink one)
Gary @ Jul 5th 2006 2:42PM
I think that Nintendo's public image has always been positive if not a bit faded. However, now tht they've proven the DS I think a lot of people are going to root for the good-natured underdog and that could only help the Wii.
I love the PS2, but with every urban themed knock off, lofty pricing plan and self-aggrandising sound bite they're putting extra lard on that slippery slope of public opinion.
Here's hoping that Sony will pull through what seems to be some troubling waters.
daniel @ Jul 5th 2006 2:48PM
#19 have a look at http://www.lik-sang.com/ i cant imagine nintendo being able to revolutionise that much after the ds and the wii maybe just improve on the ideas
MrPolarBare @ Jul 5th 2006 3:08PM
"New Super Mario Bros. sold nearly 1 million copies this past month...Proof that the Mario franchise is as strong as ever"
I think it is more proof that people have been waiting on a fun new "old-school" type of game. Platformers haven't been the same since they jumped to 3D. Instead of agreeing that Super Mario 64 was a blessing, I almost see it as more of a curse. That title almosy single-handedly killed the beloved 2D sidescroller genre. It's funny how now a 2D game, once to be thought of as old technology, is now a breathe of fresh air.
C @ Jul 5th 2006 3:14PM
"With Nintendo still chugging along so well, could this be signs of a successful Wii to come?"
I think it's a good sign because Nintendo said all along they will use a similar strategy for the Wii as used for the DS. Meaning unique gaming experiences you can only get with their system and that are attractive to hardcore and traditional non-gamers. I think the DS met those requirements well.
Also, Nintendo is designing their consoles to at least look "cool" even if the name (Wii) isn't. As long as the Wii can get a steady stream of good games that take advantage of it's unique features to go along with the sleek look, they should do very well.
Mask of Destiny @ Jul 5th 2006 3:21PM
"despite some who claimed early on that the dual screen idea would just be a gimmick."
I would argue that the dual screen idea still largely is a gimmick. From what I've seen playing with the demo units at stores the second screen doesn't seem to be well utilised. The touch screen certainly seems to have been used pretty well (better than I expected), but sticking a touch-screen on a handheld gaming device isn't exactly a new idea. That said, having a "gimmicky" feature doesn't necessairly lead to market failure unless that's the only selling point fo the system (and even then if you play your cards right you can do well for yourself). The DS is doing well for a number of reasons, but I don't think having 2 screens is one of them.
idioteraser @ Jul 5th 2006 3:26PM
In a a few console generations they will make another astounding innovation of control.
As for another gameboy I doubt they will roll out another soon since the DS is so successfull it will would look retarded to do so.
The next DS will be the next gameboy. Far more powerfull far more refined touchscreen perhaps even a 3D display touchscreen.
Gameboy advance games are still being made and sold. It makes sense for certain games after all. If you cannot put something good or great on the second screen don't bother.
idioteraser @ Jul 5th 2006 3:28PM
Hey the second screen is great for a constant map or the main game screen with the touch screen being how you control the action like in Metroid Prime hunters. It's the Rader, weapon select, and movement screen all in one. With the action having an unobstructed view.
You just gotta play more of the games to see the brilance of the upper screen.
Certaintly makes any game with an inventory or level screen or a map a breeze compared to a single screen.
Jeff @ Jul 5th 2006 3:36PM
"From what I've seen playing with the demo units at stores the second screen doesn't seem to be well utilised."
Depends on the game.
Advance Wars was a GBA game but after playing it on the DS, I can't even imagine how it was done with a single screen. Oh sure, it's not like it's really TWO screens that are so necessary, but the fact remains that the DS's second screen is just a whole bunch of extra screen real estate. And because it is totally separate, you can put something completely different from the main game content up there without it being distracting. So, in Advance Wars, you have the main game map on the bottom screen (which is where the gameplay happens) and your selected unit info on the top screen - and that's all necessary info and there's a lot of data that needs to be displayed. I never played this game on the GBA but I can only guess that you had to toggle between the map and unit info.
Games like Sonic Rush use the second screen in another way, as another parallel gameplay field. This essentially makes the DS a vertical machine with double the resolution. This is a perfectly valid use for the second screen.
There are games, though, that basically do nothing but stick what amounts to a cosmetic still image or slide show on the second screen. If this is what you saw, then you might think the second screen is a gimmick. None of the top DS games do this, though.
angryemu @ Jul 5th 2006 4:05PM
We should remember that the console market and the handheld market are not quite the same thing. Nintendo has owned the handheld market for as long as I can remember, but they've been in last place for the last two home console generations. I'm not trolling here, and I'm certainly not implying that Sony will win this generation, too... I just figured that someone should say it.
Linkman2004 @ Jul 5th 2006 4:16PM
"According to recent numbers, the DS Lite sold 575,000 units last month brining its grand total to 2.6 million since its launch."
Uh... shouldn't that be "bringing"? Anyways, go DS! w00t!
Mask of Destiny @ Jul 5th 2006 4:30PM
"Oh sure, it's not like it's really TWO screens that are so necessary, but the fact remains that the DS's second screen is just a whole bunch of extra screen real estate. And because it is totally separate, you can put something completely different from the main game content up there without it being distracting"
Well that's really the nut of it right there. Since the screen is completely separate you really have to look away from the main screen to look at it, it's difficult to pay attention to both at the same time. So this tends to relegate it to things like maps and status displays which in many cases could be handled just as well if Nintendo had add a dedicated button for switching to a status screen/and or alternate view.
Vertical playfields can be handled better by a device that can be rotated like the Tapwave Zodiac. I haven't played Sonic Riders, but from your description it sounds like it would work fine on a device with a Zodiac-like form factor.
For the record I've played Metroid Prime: Hunters, Advance Wars DS and New Super Mario Brothers and none of them sold me on the dual screens concept. I wouldn't say that there's no advantage to having a second screen, but I'd personally prefer a bigger screen with a less awkward formfactor.
bladestar @ Jul 5th 2006 4:57PM
"I laugh whenever an ignorant North American says that what happens in Japan doesn't affect what happens in N.A." It depends what you are talking about? Did it matter what MP3 player was available in Japan when the IPod (American) came out? Japan no longer controls portable music.
I think it is not about people just following what Japanese people do, but more like what kind of games people can play on their handheld. Sony designed the psp to be a portable full blown console which it is not what the majority of the people want. What most people want is a cheap portable system that plays simple games so they can quickly entertain themselves during the time 30-40 minutes it takes them to get to work/school/home. This explains why so many people liked Tetris, sudoku, LocoRoco, etc. I prefer playing big games like Metal Gear or Final Fantasy at the comfort of my sofa on a big screen. Most people play very little with handhelds game systems when they are at home specially if they own a console or a PS. Also there are other factors; like most people in Japan take public transportation so they can play while traveling.
Nintendo's tradition of making hardware that it just powerful enough to run the games works very well for the DS since most of the people don't care or intend to play anything for too long. So, a handheld has to be easy to carry, with simple games and cheap; basically what the DS is that the PSP is not.
Nintendo's is trying the same strategy for the wii which usually do not work with consoles. People expect consoles to have great graphics, great sound, great story line, lots of special effects, etc. This is the reason why GC didn't take off. Nintendo wants to keep itself as profitable so it is trying to avoid having to compete with the Sony and Microsoft.
Can Nintendo beat the completion with games? No. Nintendo do not have the resources that Sony and Microsoft have. So how can Nintendo stay in the console market? By persuading people that traditional game elements like graphics, sound, story line, etc are not what matter but how you play the games. This is where the wiimote comes in. Lets see how it goes.
Personally I think the wii will open another market like it did with the Game Boy which didn't stop people from buying consoles. The wii will have its place but will not take away from the PS3 or XBOX.
bladestar @ Jul 5th 2006 5:07PM
I forgot to mention, if you look at what Nintendo is doing. When Nintendo knew they could loose the handheld war to the PSP and knew that they couldn’t complete with the power of the PSP then they added two screens and touch screen functionality changing the way people play handhelds. This worked for them. History repeat itself. When Nintendo knew they didn’t have a chance against the PS3 and XBox 360 then they added the wiimote again changing the way people play consoles. Nintendo's is using the same strategy it used for handhelds now with consoles. Let’s see what happens.
Marc @ Jul 5th 2006 5:42PM
"The wii will have its place but will not take away from the PS3 or XBOX."
Of course it won't! Nintendo has said (for what feels like a million times) they are NOT competing with them!
Nintendo's going after a completely new audience. Sony and Microsoft are still entertaining that same old crowd. Why can't people see that Nintendo doesn't want to compete with those two.
That is real maturity in a company, knowing when to backoff and let the baby have it's bottle. So I hope that the Sony and Microsoft fanboys enjoy their bottle, while Nintendo and their group go have REAL fun without the shiny graphics.
Cuz, let's face it, a dull looking Mustang GT is still as fast and powerful as a shiny, polished Nissan Maxima.
Marc @ Jul 5th 2006 5:48PM
Oh and bladestar,
if you really are as much of a blind-sided Sony fanboy that I think you are, you most likely wouldn't have realized that Nintendo wasn't competing with them, in any way, a long long time ago.
Go and educate yourself about the "supposed" competition BEFORE you bad mouth them, dumbass.
Jonathan Fung @ Jul 5th 2006 6:19PM
Oh Joystiq, can I conveniently ignore all of your past pro-360/PS3 posts from years past and just label you biased towards Nintendo just for the fun of it?
~J B Cougar
-------------
Haha, apparantly, yup, look at the stars. -1 for every pro Sony comment, +1 for each pro nintendo comment.
But some very interesting stuff about the competition here...or lack of competition between Nintendo and Sony/Microsoft. Anyway, can I get a star too for loving Nintendo? J/K (about getting a star...I do love Nintendo)
uchiha5 @ Jul 5th 2006 6:59PM
bladestar, Nintendo could have mase a console just as powerful as the competition. They have more resources then you realise. For one thing there partners with alot of companys so thats where thay get there resources from. Plus they do have money you know. They make a good profit every year and the difference in them from Sony and Microsoft is that they use most of there money on games. MS and Sony have to use most of there money on there other markets. So as for your theory that they couldn't compete with them in graphics your wrong. Nintendo just realised that having better graphics didn't always work. The Gamecube had better graphics then the PS2 and look who won that. And I don't know about other people but I play my DS more then I play any of my other systems. Mainly because theres nothing coming out for Gamecube and PS2 lately but also because its the most fun I've had with any system in a long time. So the Nintendo could have foolishly used millions of dollars on having more power like the competition but they chose to think it through and make the most creative console.
skyrous @ Jul 5th 2006 7:07PM
Is the DS winning because it has the better graphics that the psp?
Can anyone name a game system that had the best the graphics AND beat it's competition? Lets look at some history.
Atari 2600 won the 1st gen... the intellivision had far better graphics
The NES technology was 2 years older than the sega master system... who won that generation?
The SNES was so slow had a major problem dealing with too much action on the screen. Sega made a huge deal out of that... and they made a huge comeback.
Technologically the N64 was so advanced nobody knew how to program the thing. the PS looked archiac by comparison. tell me again which system won in the end?
PS2 vs Xbox vs CG who the most powerful hardware... who had the most sales?
Gameboy was about the most primitive machine you could imagine everyone of it's competitors had better graphics so if graphics are so important how did it succeed?
Everyone who says Nintendo can't compete because "graphics are everything" please point to an example where that has ever been true! Oh yea you can't because I've just used every possible example to make my point... good games sell game systems.
bladestar @ Jul 6th 2006 12:22AM
First of all hell now; I'm no Sony Fanboy. I hate my PSP and I an Nintendo DS. I recently bought a 360, I never owned an XBox. So, I think the 360 is worth having. I am also buying a wii and a PS3; I always buy all consoles. Lets just say I have enough money to buy all consoles so I don't have to feel like I have to defend the only one I can afford.
"So as for your theory that they couldn't compete with them in graphics you’re wrong. Nintendo just realized that having better graphics didn't always work" really? so why didn’t they just come out with the wiimote for the game cube for $49.00? Also, are you telling me that if the wii would support HD and have the power of the 360 and the PS3 then it would suck? Come on what are you blind? We all know a little about each company. Microsoft: They like monopolizing everything and will do anything to run over the competition. Sony: 10% of what they say it is true everything else is hype. Nintendo: Unlike competitors are never willing to lose money on any product. They prefer to be profitable on their products from day one. I'm not saying they can't but that they won’t. Nintendo will never lose $200 per console. This is the reason why the wii has the specs it has, because they can build it to make money from day one. Now they may have you believe that is because you don’t want it or need it; but they are simply trying to be profitable as always. Believe what you want to believe, but more cpu, memory, gpu on the wii wouldn’t make it less fun, it could only allow developers to make things look better and sound better and play better.