IGN's Nintendo Minute recently posed a question to Nintendo VP of corporate affairs Denise Kaigler about sales of the DSi. IGN was under the impression that the handheld had a slow start, but Kaigler was quick to lay the smack down. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to strongly disagree with your premise," she said, pointing to NPD figures that show the DSi's first three months in the US moved more units than the original DS Phat, DS Lite and Wii did in the same period of time.
During its initial three months of availability, the DSi has unloaded more than 1.7 million units onto consumers. Compare that to the figures for the first three months of the DS Phat (1.38 million) and the DS Lite (1.07 million) and it's pretty clear who the winner is. Despite the fact that the DSi ($169.99) is more expensive than the DS Phat ($149.99) and DS Lite ($129.99) when they launched, consumers have been in favor of the Facebook-compatible handheld.
The DSi even managed to best Nintendo's money-printing Wii in its first three months gracing store shelves, as the Wii debuted with 1.52 million units sold. As impressive as that may be, we're pretty sure had launch supplies been greater, the Wii would've easily trumped the DSi's figures.
Reader Comments (76)
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:30PM NaeemTHM said
Well, if history is any sign, yes we'll see a DS2/Gameboy Next pretty soon.
I mean we had the Gameboy, the Gameboy Pocket, and then the GBC. Then came the Gameboy Advanced, which was followed by the GBA SP, and finally the Micro.
What's scary is, if you recall, the nextgen handheld devices usually came rather quickly after the third gameboy redesigns.
Reply
I mean we had the Gameboy, the Gameboy Pocket, and then the GBC. Then came the Gameboy Advanced, which was followed by the GBA SP, and finally the Micro.
What's scary is, if you recall, the nextgen handheld devices usually came rather quickly after the third gameboy redesigns.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:44PM Mr Khan said
2011 will be a repeat of 2001 for Nintendo, in my opinion. The year they see a new handheld and a new console. And i really think that's what DSi is, a half-step towards what Nintendo envisions towards their next device, while continuing to fan the sails of what's now basically their best-selling device ever.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 4:14PM Marius said
we wont be seeing the 5th generation until the new handhelds
that just the way Nintendo works
You can also go by the way the lame cartoon goes by
Right now they are finishing the P&D arc
then probably a filler season
then new Pokemons = 2011
2011 = new handhelds
then rinse and repeat
Reply
that just the way Nintendo works
You can also go by the way the lame cartoon goes by
Right now they are finishing the P&D arc
then probably a filler season
then new Pokemons = 2011
2011 = new handhelds
then rinse and repeat
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:06PM (Unverified) said
Agreed that the launch supply is what made these numbers.
I had a hell of a time getting my hands on a "DS Phat" when they first came out....even played it once or twice after I got it.
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I had a hell of a time getting my hands on a "DS Phat" when they first came out....even played it once or twice after I got it.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:10PM ArchiGamer said
What will you and i do?
Take over the world, apparently.
Reply
Take over the world, apparently.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:11PM FernandoRocker said
Any version of the DS deserves the good sales... the DS is one of the best systems ever.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:25PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
I have to agree here. The DS has saved me from boredom too many times to count. It's always fun to play Mario Kart with random people over WiFi while waiting for flights.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 4:00PM Geist said
The DS simply has the best library of any system. I still have my Phat that I purchased a week after launch, and the worst thing about it is an R button that doesn't click all the time. And I've got a huge library of games on it that I still need to get through.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:12PM Dummy00001 said
Is there analog of R4 for DSi?
Or alternatively: do they already sell downloads of retail games?
I'm not much into homebrew, but after 2+ years of using R4, you will not see me carrying piles of cartridges anymore.
Reply
Or alternatively: do they already sell downloads of retail games?
I'm not much into homebrew, but after 2+ years of using R4, you will not see me carrying piles of cartridges anymore.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:25PM CaramelZappa said
I don't know if the R4 specifically has an updated card, but my friend has a DSI and he has a similar card to play roms/homebrew. I don't think you can download full retail games, but I know you can download a bunch of snes games, virtual console style.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:31PM Snake Robot Podium said
Yes, if we are to believe those untrustworthy, non-fact-checking enthusiast blogs.
http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/looks-like-dsi-firmware-1-4-is-defeated-already/
Just kidding. I love you, Joystiq.
Reply
http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/looks-like-dsi-firmware-1-4-is-defeated-already/
Just kidding. I love you, Joystiq.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:33PM Dummy00001 said
> I don't think you can download full retail games
That's ... bad.
Why it takes Nintendo that long to catch up with the service pirates provide DS owners for 3+ years now??
All I need are demos and downloadable full retail games - and obviously a way to "import" games from other regions. Then there would be no single reason for me to stick with R4/etc.
Reply
That's ... bad.
Why it takes Nintendo that long to catch up with the service pirates provide DS owners for 3+ years now??
All I need are demos and downloadable full retail games - and obviously a way to "import" games from other regions. Then there would be no single reason for me to stick with R4/etc.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:43PM CaramelZappa said
I kind of agree, I was a pirate of PC games for the longest time until I discovered how Steam is actually easier and more convenient than pirating games. If Nintendo had the same type of system for the DSi I wouldn't buy my games anywhere else. What's better than buying games straight to the DSi.
Maybe they will now that Sony has the PSP-go.
Reply
Maybe they will now that Sony has the PSP-go.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 5:04PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Because the Wii is built around silly attacements! Nintendo knows this which is why every year, we aren't seeing a stellar stand-alone software release. We're seeing a hardware + software release. We saw it with the release of the Wii Wheel + Mario Kart, Wii Zapper + Link's Crossbow Training, Wii Motion Plus + Wii Sports Resort, Wii Balance Board + Wii Fit and soon we'll see the Wii Vitality Sensory + ???.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:15PM (Unverified) said
all the scribblenauts hype and the $100 JnR gift card collectin dust in my room are pushing me to finally gettin one.. fb compatability as well? I'm pretty much sold.
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Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:16PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
I guess Joystiq had to give the Nintendo fanboys SOMETHING good today. After the Wii sybian article and the Nielsen article, Nintendoits were getting pretty worried. Thanks for making the morning so entertaining!
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:19PM ArchiGamer said
Now, how exactly do I participate in the 'Cody is a Douche Contest" and why you be hatin'?
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:25PM StormEagle said
I am also curious about this Cody is a douche contest. Doesn't he automatically win?
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:26PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Allow me to explain!
It's simple to enter! Download the following image:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2632/l937ac51b106d4734a72e0e.jpg
And Photoshop to your hearts content! Winners will be chosen by me and the newly recruited Planeteers.
Remember the power is YOURS!
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2632/l937ac51b106d4734a72e0e.jpg
Reply
It's simple to enter! Download the following image:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2632/l937ac51b106d4734a72e0e.jpg
And Photoshop to your hearts content! Winners will be chosen by me and the newly recruited Planeteers.
Remember the power is YOURS!
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2632/l937ac51b106d4734a72e0e.jpg
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:26PM ArchiGamer said
No, Storm, he has to deal with other douches like Activision, Kotick, and Sprinkles.
Oh, I can't wait for the award ceremony.
Reply
Oh, I can't wait for the award ceremony.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:27PM Dummy00001 said
Nobody's guilty that you do no have DS yet and can't enjoy it.
I wouldn't compare it to Wii, as my DS it the main reason why I never felt compelled to spend time with Wii.
DS is the best gaming console you can get now. And it is also portable. Enjoy while you still can.
Reply
I wouldn't compare it to Wii, as my DS it the main reason why I never felt compelled to spend time with Wii.
DS is the best gaming console you can get now. And it is also portable. Enjoy while you still can.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:43PM (Unverified) said
CP, you owe me a new monitor. After seeing those pictures you linked to I punched a whole in my current one
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:47PM (Unverified) said
god damn English language. I think its time we all just moved back to morse code
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:57PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
@ Dummy - WTF?
@ Twee - Nintendoits or Wiidiots, take your pick.
@ Khan - We all know heart is the most useless power. This is why I'm recruiting new members.
@ Moptimus - Checks in the mail ;)
I'm submitting another entry into the contest...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8436/0000029699350.jpg
Reply
@ Twee - Nintendoits or Wiidiots, take your pick.
@ Khan - We all know heart is the most useless power. This is why I'm recruiting new members.
@ Moptimus - Checks in the mail ;)
I'm submitting another entry into the contest...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8436/0000029699350.jpg
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 4:14PM (Unverified) said
-- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . / .. ... / .- .-- . ... --- -- .
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 4:18PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Twee, I'm not anti-Nintendo regardless of what anyone here says. I have a Wii, a DS and a DSi. I do however have harsh criticisms of Nintendo's business model this generation. This over-prioritization of hardware/accessories/peripherals over software should piss off even the most hardcore Nintendo fanboy.
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Posted: Aug 11th 2009 4:34PM TwEE said
"This over-prioritization of hardware/accessories/peripherals over software should piss off even the most hardcore Nintendo fanboy."
Other then selling the controller in two expensive pieces (bullshit move), none of their peripherals bother me at all. I don't have to buy them to play the games I want.
If Nintendo has to come out with some silly attachment to make a group of non gamers think gaming fun, instead of boring, nerdy or childish. Why should that affect me at all?
Reply
Other then selling the controller in two expensive pieces (bullshit move), none of their peripherals bother me at all. I don't have to buy them to play the games I want.
If Nintendo has to come out with some silly attachment to make a group of non gamers think gaming fun, instead of boring, nerdy or childish. Why should that affect me at all?
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 5:06PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Because the Wii is built around silly attacements! Nintendo knows this which is why every year, we aren't seeing a stellar stand-alone software release. We're seeing a hardware + software release. We saw it with the release of the Wii Wheel + Mario Kart, Wii Zapper + Link's Crossbow Training, Wii Motion Plus + Wii Sports Resort, Wii Balance Board + Wii Fit and soon we'll see the Wii Vitality Sensory + ???.
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 7:42PM TwEE said
I see what you guys are saying, but as long as I dont need them for my games they dont bother me, and there is a whole group of people who really do want them, Nintendo is selling these people what they want. I dont see anything wrong with that. They want a weird arcade like experince in thier home. Somebody should sell it to them, I cant see anybody pulling it off better the Nintendo.
And I've never bought that whole Nintendo abandoning anybody bit.
Reply
And I've never bought that whole Nintendo abandoning anybody bit.
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:20PM (Unverified) said
Either I'm not understanding this article because I'm retarded, or I'm reading something wrong because I'm retarded. But it states that DSi moved 1.7 mil in the first three months, while DS Phat moved 1.38 mil, and Wii moved 1.52 mil. in the same time period. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 1.7 less than 1.38 and 1.52? How has it had a more successful launch then?
Reply
Posted: Aug 11th 2009 3:23PM FernandoRocker said
1.7 is the same as 1.70...
So:
DSi: 1.70
Phat: 1.38
Wii: 1.52
Reply
So:
DSi: 1.70
Phat: 1.38
Wii: 1.52
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