Nintendo fighting breast cancer with limited edition Pink Ribbon DS Lite

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 27th 2008 at 4:00PM }

While we normally hear about new DS Lite SKUs fairly far in advance, Amazon sneaked a new version of Nintendo's money-printing handheld onto their virtual shelves today -- a Polar White console adorned with the universal logo for breast cancer awareness, a pink ribbon. The handheld retails for the standard price of $129.99, though Nintendo has agreed to donate $5 from every purchase to a cancer research charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, promising a minimum donation of $100,000. Sure, it may not be the most stylish DS Lite model to date -- but it's certainly the most altruistic.

[Via DSF]

Tags: breast-cancer, ds-lite, nintendo, pink-ribbon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sesur @ Sep 27th 2008 4:03PM

I see that ribbon on almost everything these days.

Red Leader @ Sep 27th 2008 4:05PM

Was just about to say that.

Cesaria (Gamertag: Cesaria360) @ Sep 27th 2008 4:20PM

I wasn't.

Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir and MR.ESC) @ Sep 27th 2008 4:31PM

...but is that a bad thing? It might be heavily overused but at least people still remember what it symbolises, something you can't say about Che T-Shirts.

Sesur @ Sep 27th 2008 4:35PM

It's not a bad thing per se, but it seems to be a commercially abused symbol like those fucking "Live Strong" yellow wristbands. I swear I wanted to murder some people who wore them; not aware that there was a cause beyond them being fashionable and trendy.

Mr Khan @ Sep 27th 2008 5:21PM

It's good to be made aware, but the symbol does get whored a bit more than i would like

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 27th 2008 5:29PM

Are you guys seriously debating whether a tool for public awareness of a serious condition affecting many women is annoying or not?

You're kind of missing the point here....

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 5:47PM

Yeah, awareness is part of it, but you guys are missing the real purpose of these ribbons. Almost everything sold that bears that logo (DS Lite included) contributes money to breast cancer research and treatment foundations. Maybe some people just want to be trendy or raise awareness, but most are putting a little bit of cash towards finding a cure.

Gun Barrier @ Sep 27th 2008 5:51PM

I think the ribbon symbol is more important to the companies than the people showing it off. It symbolizes that Nintendo is supporting the cause by donating money from these ds lite sales. Thats the important part.

Sesur @ Sep 27th 2008 6:41PM

I think the only "awareness" going on is companies being branding products with these icons for the purpose of convincing us they really give a shit; regardless if they actually do or not.

Haggard (steam: haggard_dawn, PSN: HaggyWaggy) @ Sep 27th 2008 7:11PM

But the people who put the symbol on their products (t-shirts, DSes, whatever) are obviously not doing it out of some commitment to humanity.

These are corporations we're talking about.

While it's great that $5 is going towards the cause, more than that is still being fed into the gaping maw of Nintendo.

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 7:29PM

And even more is being fed into the gaping maw of Nintendo if you just buy a regular DS and give them the whole $130. What's your point?

Haggard (steam: haggard_dawn, PSN: HaggyWaggy) @ Sep 27th 2008 7:50PM

My point is that charitable donations encourage people to buy stuff they wouldn't ordinarily, which means that the corporation providing the product or service makes more money off the scheme than the charity.

Red Leader @ Sep 28th 2008 1:47AM

I like how "Yourself" asked a stupid question, and then just got owned by a logical answer.

How's it feel?

Yourself @ Sep 28th 2008 2:02AM

Ah, now I know what it feels like to get owned by a logical answer, than be told that I did. However, let's look just for a second at this logical answer.

Where Haggard is absolutely right is in relation to any type of pink wristband, shirt, etc.

But I can't imagine a single person buying a DS Lite JUST because of a pink ribbon on it. "Even if it means I have to spend $130, I'm going to make sure the Komen Foundation gets my $5!" Sounds terribly realistic indeed. People are generalizing this situation far beyond where it applies. This promo isn't to sell product - it's to make Nintendo look kind and caring, and for people who are already buying DS's to have a 'nobler' option.

The fact that Nintendo (or any other company) is profiting off of charity doesn't remove any money from the charity itself; so no, Red Leader, your unbearably clever little post to personally call me out has been a complete and utter failure.

ahsayuninew @ Sep 27th 2008 4:31PM

If I were to buy a DS, this would probably be it.

WorMzy @ Sep 27th 2008 4:35PM

It's a nice idea.. but only $5? What's that in real money? £2.70 or something?

Don't being so stingy, Ninty; with your current profits, you can afford to give more than that. =/

dark_inchworm @ Sep 27th 2008 4:40PM

Save the boobies!

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Sep 27th 2008 5:00PM

That'd make for a far more effective name. At least for guys....

Anyway, I think this is a nice thing of Nintendo to do and it doesn't look too shabby either, compared to some other handheld designs in the past which have looked pretty tacky.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Sep 28th 2008 3:49AM

I always preferred how "Save the Ta-Tas" sounded.

FSK405K @ Sep 27th 2008 5:19PM

Money for breast cancer and they can't even put some boobs on the DS?

Bass Masterson @ Sep 27th 2008 5:24PM

The Susan G. Komen fund has been repeatedly criticized for profiteering off the breast cancer cause with schemes like this. It's called "pinkwashing".

They also have close ties to Planned Parenthood, which each potential contributor might consider.

This is basically strongarming. Nobody is going to say "no, Susan G. Komen, I hate titties and love cancer so we aren't going to work with you". They can intimidate people into campaigns like this and continue to profit.

And, by the way, prostate cancer is far more common than breast cancer. Yet there are few charities for that, and no public ones like Susan G. Komen.

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 5:53PM

Basically strong-arming? I find that to be a bit of a stretch. It's not as though the entire Nintedo DS line has been replaced by these - and it's also not like they cost more than any other DS Lite. No one is buying a DS solely as a donation to a breast cancer foundation, so it's completely different than shirts, bumper stickers, etc. where what you said applies more readily.

G @ Sep 27th 2008 6:31PM

To "Bass Masterson":

While the 2008 estimated absolute number for diagnosed prostate cancer is higher than breast cancer, the estimated absolute number of women dying from breast cancer compared to prostate cancer is higher. In addition, the proportion of cancer deaths among women due to breast cancer is higher compared to the proportion of cancer deaths among men due to prostate cancer. (REF: American Cancer Society)

It's also arguable among prostate cancer researchers that prostate cancer is being "overdiagnosed" due to introduction of PSA screening back in the early 90s. As of now, it has yet to be firmly established that prostate cancer screening has a positive impact in terms of the reduction of death from prostate cancer or on quality of life issues from treatment.

You are correct: breast cancer is an issue that's more publicized than prostate cancer. And I have begun to being aware of the controversies surrounding Susan G. Komen.

I also think what's important to consider (as you've mentioned) is to think about to where the money that Komen gathers goes. Anyhow, my random 2 cents.

holyice7 @ Sep 27th 2008 7:42PM

Prostate cancer, eh? Anyone lay claim to the brown ribben yet?

KeenCommander @ Sep 27th 2008 5:26PM

Instant nerd chick magnet!

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 27th 2008 5:27PM

What Nintendo is doing here is a noble gesture...but $5? Everybody knows the DS sells like pot brownies at a high school prom and they make plenty of profit off their money-printing machine so why such a little contribution? I'd say to at least make it $10.

Anticrawl @ Sep 27th 2008 5:27PM

Yes because THAT is what I want when I game, to be brought back to the harsh unforgiving reality of cancer while I'm trying to enjoy a few minutes in an entertaining game that lets me step out of the world for a few moments a day. Guilting people into thinking about lives being destroyed doesn't solve a damn thing. Neither does putting a little symbol on your various "devices," and it certainly won't change any awareness or views on the matter. Now being proactive, going out and ralying support from simple local coversations on to bigger things may help. Let people know how close we are to a cure and what they can do to help by spreading awareness is good.

Tell me this, have any of you been riding behind a care before and said, "Oh man, a magnetic fish symbol! I better go find Jesus right away!"

Seriously all these things are is a way to make people improve their social image, makes them feel better about their selfish little lives and gives them the idea that people will think of them as a caring or thoughtful human being. Cancer has impacted my live directly in several ways, and all these things and how they are use only hurt the cause. I'd rather be spending my time enjoying life and when I do think about matters such as these atleast try to educate people.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 27th 2008 5:35PM

"Seriously all these things are is a way to make people improve their social image, makes them feel better about their selfish little lives and gives them the idea that people will think of them as a caring or thoughtful human being."

What you're saying is right but that's a really, really negative way of looking at this when a company that is fully unrelated to this topic is attempting to somehow give aid to an international problem. Now if it were a food company or a health oriented company than thats a no-brainer. But a videogame company? Kind of a stretch.

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 5:57PM

You're really missing the point and completely confusing this with pink wristbands. The role of this SKU is not to convince people: "oh, even though I have a DS already, I need to go get this one to show everyone I cured breast cancer." The idea is that someone who was going to buy a DS anyway might say, "Ah, what the hell, it costs $130 either way, so why not just get the one where $5 goes to some noble cause."

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 6:01PM

And please don't try to tie this to the ichthys, that's just being completely ignorant and makes it impossible to take your opinion seriously.

Bass Masterson @ Sep 27th 2008 6:10PM

I don't know how you can claim others are missing the point when this 'charity' is a documented scam.

Yourself @ Sep 27th 2008 7:27PM

A "documented scam"? Again you persist in complete exaggeration. Yes - based on what I've read, I agree that the Komen Foundation profits far more than is acceptable from their campaigns. Nonetheless, that does not mitigate the fact that they still do contribute a great deal to the ongoing pursuit of a cure. And yet again I'm forced to point out that this DS does not cost any extra money. It's the same amount out of the consumer's pocket, so that $5 can go to two places - directly into the pocket of a large-scale video game corporation, or to a slightly ambiguous but at least somewhat good-natured organization. I don't understand why it's so much better to give the money to Nintendo than to SGK.

I'm not calling anyone a hero for buying a pink ribbon DS Lite, but I am calling you guys out of line with your extreme criticism of it.

j.lee @ Sep 28th 2008 8:27PM

Overall, I think it's a good way to get some donations from people who wouldn't donate without a "what's in it for me" mentality to begin with.

RE: Bass Masterson's weird Komen Foundation 9/11 tinfoil hat conspiracy theory:
You mention ties to Planned Parenthood like it's a bad thing. I'd probably be more inclined to donate if it were true. But that's me.

Anticrawl @ Sep 27th 2008 5:30PM

Buying products or objects associated with these things does NOT make you a better person.

To think people have to be rewarded or constantly remind others that they support a good cause is selfish and backwards and no better than those ignorant bastards that preech their hypocritic nonsense on street corners. You want to support a charity to help make a difference? Fantastic! Send some money in privatly, let it be it's own reward to you, and if that isn't good enough you can always add it in when you do your taxes and get a write off.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 27th 2008 5:36PM

In one of my favorite episodes of Friends, there is a quote from Joey that I will never forget:

"There is no un-selfish good deed."

Brodo @ Sep 27th 2008 5:50PM

I work at Sobeys and I got a nice little surprise. I get to wear a pink shirt for advertising buying some flowers and they will donate 1$ to breast cancer research. So when ppl say that they see this symbol everywhere I hear ya

Brodo @ Sep 27th 2008 5:54PM

"Tell me this, have any of you been riding behind a care before and said, "Oh man, a magnetic fish symbol! I better go find Jesus right away!"

I havent ever ridden behind a care before...

Anticrawl @ Sep 27th 2008 6:03PM

Obviously I meant CAR and it was a typo, there is no edit feature on this blog. Don't be an ass.

Zach S @ Sep 27th 2008 7:23PM

Should be renamed "DS Lite: Sit-on-the-shelf Edition"

Really, like those who want to donate 5 dollars to the Susan G. Komen Foundation are going to buy a DS Lite instead of just donating 5 dollars.

Zach S @ Sep 27th 2008 7:26PM

Note: If they were to make a specially colored Pink DS with the logo, then maybe it might be a better deal for people. But as a white DS with a small, sadly screened logo on it, this just fails.

ck @ Sep 27th 2008 9:10PM

My wife is walking the Komen 3 Day in Michigan this weekend and I could never be more proud. Every time I see the pink ribbon I definitely check out the product. And if it's something I was going to get anyway or need - I pick it up.

I'm tempted to pick one up for a gift for someone.

Brendon @ Sep 27th 2008 10:32PM

Huzzah!

Now I can show how much I care about something without actually having to do anything about it!

Lance Armstrong bracelets, the Toyota Prius, magnetic yellow ribbons, blah, blah, and blah, et cetera.

This is nothing more than an exercise in self-gratification for both consumers and businesses.

*Note: Just in case some of you might be ironically and/or sarcastically challenged:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfMgRHRJ-tc

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/23/18-awareness/

jheld99 @ Sep 27th 2008 11:25PM

In earlier posts it was discussed that prostate cancer was more common than breast cancer. Bass Masterson said it was "far more common."

The American Cancer Society estimates in 2008 there would be 184,450 new cases of breast cancer. They also estimate 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer. More cases of prostate cancer? Slightly yes. However, nearly 41,000 women will die from breast cancer, while less than 29,000 men will die from prostate cancer.

So good for Nintendo to put some dollars where they are needed. If you need a DS and care about eliminating breast cancer then buy this one. If you really care about eliminating breast cancer, do more than buy a video game system.