Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Guitar Hero: On Tour grip works with DS Phathttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/guitar-hero-on-tour-grip-works-with-ds-phat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/guitar-hero-on-tour-grip-works-with-ds-phat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/guitar-hero-on-tour-grip-works-with-ds-phat/#commentsFiled under: ,


We have to admit that the first time we saw the elegant, though not particularly guitar-like peripheral Activision had created for the DS' Guitar Hero: On Tour, we were concerned. It wasn't the missing orange button (we're fans of anything getting easier, whether it's fake guitar playing or cutting things), no, we were more worried that owners of the original DS (the DS Phat, on the streets) would be excluded from the fun by their system's girth.

But now, Activision has dispelled our fears with the announcement that the Guitar Grip will work with both of the models. Now, Phatties, as for actually being able to see the notes in anything but perfect lighting, we're afraid you're on your own on that one.

[Thanks, Kaelora]

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]]>ds-litedsphatguitar-heroguitar-hero-on-tourJustin McElroy2008-03-31T10:30:00+00:00DS Phat browser not available in storeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/ds-phat-browser-not-available-in-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/ds-phat-browser-not-available-in-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/ds-phat-browser-not-available-in-stores/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you have a DS Phat but not a DS Lite, you probably won't mind the news that the $35 Opera-based DS Web browser hitting June 4 for your system won't be available in stores. You're probably just the sort of rebellious, go-it-alone type that will get what you want by any means necessary, even if that means purchasing online. But you're probably also the sort of mind-bogglingly cheap skinflint that would sooner flush their sister's asthma inhaler down the toilet before spending money on shipping. So we find ourselves at an impasse.

Nintendo isn't releasing names of all the online shops that will carry the Phat browser, but did point out that it will be available on its own Web site. We don't know if many Phat owners will be willing to part with the cash, but those who will probably appreciate being able to do so in the privacy of their own home, far from the whispers and quiet giggles of the Lite enthusiasts. Do they not realize that their stares are daggers?

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]]>dslitedsphatgamespotnintendowebJustin McElroy2007-05-04T22:32:00+00:00FFXII themed DS Lite revealed for Japanhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ffxii-theme-ds-lite-revealed-for-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ffxii-theme-ds-lite-revealed-for-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ffxii-theme-ds-lite-revealed-for-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,


In conjunction with the April 26 release of Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings for DS, Square Enix and Nintendo are set to release a special edition of the DS Lite with the FFXII:RW logo and a few main characters emblazoned on the front. Square Enix did a similar promotion for the DS release of Final Fantasy III.

Though the extra cost to paint an industrial-strength sticker is probably minimal, it's not like Nintendo needs any help selling the consoles in Japan. A release outside of Japan is very unlikely for the limited edition console, so those desperate for a unit will have to import. However, we have a better suggestion: wait for someone to post a high-resolution image and then make your own sticker to put on that DS Lite (or DS Phat) you're already using.

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]]>ds liteds phatDsLiteDsPhatffxiifinal fantasyFinalFantasyrevenant wingsRevenantWingssquare enixSquareEnixRoss Miller2007-02-09T22:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 11 September - 17 September: Tokyo stalker editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/22/japanese-hardware-sales-11-september-17-september-tokyo-stal/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/22/japanese-hardware-sales-11-september-17-september-tokyo-stal/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/22/japanese-hardware-sales-11-september-17-september-tokyo-stal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Select and now less popular members of the Joystiq staff traveled to Japan this week in order to cover the annual and frequently spectacular Tokyo Game Show -- at least, that's what you've been led to believe. Though the opportunity to play the latest games and to attend dull press conferences could certainly be considered a pleasant side-effect, the true reason for the team's journey to the East is far more striking. Indeed, the time has finally come to capture and imprison the elusive answer to the question that arises with every single edition of the sales chart. Observe this week ranking according to the number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 134,885 21,045 (18.49%)
- PS2: 34,189 14,307 (71.96%)
- PSP: 26,995 2,146 (7.36%)
- GBA SP: 2,330 226 (10.74%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,244 557 (30.93%)
- Xbox 360: 928 166 (15.17%)
- Gamecube: 630 66 (9.48%)
- DS Phat: 478 580 (54.82%)
- GBA: 27 14 (107.70%)
- Xbox: 7 2 (40.00%)

Who bought those Xbox consoles? The truth and subsequent interview, after the break.

[Source: Media Create]

After mulling about a Tokyo electronics store for several hours and repeatedly being asked to render services of an unsavory nature (perhaps the trenchcoat was a bit much), the truth finally marched through the front entrance. Roughly six feet tall and bearing an expression of complete bewilderment, the truth was a middle-aged man equipped with a credit card (quite unusual as far as truths go). We watched in awe as he purchased seven Xbox consoles. We immediately decided to do what all good investigators do -- follow the truth to its origin. That would be a small house on a relatively quiet Tokyo street corner. The following transcription details what happened after the doorbell was dramatically rung:

This doorbell doesn't seem to be working. Let's try knocking.

The following transcription details what happened after the door was gently pounded upon:

Good afternoon, sir. We wanted to ask you some questions.

Who are you?

We're with Joystiq. Surely you've heard of us? We're a video game blog.

Is that right? You know, I have a blog. My latest entry was "What the hell did those freaks at my front door want?"

We'd like to interview you about those Xbox purchases you just made.

How do you know about that?

We saw you buying them at the Hello TV store.

And then you followed me to my house.

We just happened to walk in exactly the same direction as you. Follow is a very strong word.

You climbed over my fence and ... why is my dog not moving?

Sir, if you'd just answer our questions. That's what's really important here. Why buy seven Xbox consoles?

You only saw me buy seven, right?

You mean you've bought more?

I may have. I may have bought eight more than seven.

You've purchased eighteen?!

No, eight plus seven is fifteen.

You've purchased fifteen?!

Fifteen is also less than eighteen.

Oh. You've purchased fifteen?!

Could you stop acting surprised like that? It's very unnerving. I've bought fifteen this week.

Wait, are you saying that you buy every week?

I buy as many as I can with my current salary, but it's usually not enough.

It's a great system, but you seem to be going against the entire nation's apathy. Isn't that a little strange?

It really isn't all that hard defeating apathy. It just kind of lies there.

That doesn't answer the question -- why buy it?

Confound you! [translator's note: language toned down] It's because of those accursed sales charts! I am sick of seeing the DS Lite at the top. Sick of it.

And you're trying to upset it by purchasing the Xbox? You'd have to buy hundreds of thousands per week in order to make a dent.

I'm not made of money. I'm made of a desire to overthrow boring predictable charts and complacency!

Why not buy something that's a little closer to the DS Lite in terms of the chart. Like the PSP?

That doesn't make any sense.

And buying a ton of Xbox consoles does?

That's about two of them, actually.

You know what we mean! And those jokes stopped being funny years ago.

So did harassment by strangers! This interview is over.

Umm, no, it's not.



Turns out the interview was over. The police said so.

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]]>DS PhatDsPhatJapanese hardware salesJapaneseHardwareSalesLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-22T23:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 4 September - 10 September: completely wiidiculous editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/japanese-hardware-sales-4-september-10-september-completely/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/japanese-hardware-sales-4-september-10-september-completely/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/japanese-hardware-sales-4-september-10-september-completely/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Shocking reports from Japan indicate that Nintendo's entry into the next-gen console wars (with Xbox 360 and Japan itself being the only combatants thus far) has shown absolutely no progress in the closely monitored sales ranking.

- DS Lite: 113,831 115,108 (50.28%)
- PSP: 29,141 1,642 (5.97%)
- PS2: 19,882 2,821 (12.43%)
- GBA SP: 2,104 647 (23.52%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,801 10 (0.56%)
- Xbox 360: 1,094 156 (12.48%)
- DS Phat: 1,058 738 (230.63%)
- Gamecube: 696 159 (18.60%)
- GBA: 13 9 (40.91%)
- Xbox: 5 5 (infinite%)
- Wii: 0 0 (0%)

Esteemed analyst, Excelsior Bluffington, pointed out that "the Wii has shown little to no sales growth in the past few weeks. It's even been bested by the Xbox, and people only buy that thing to mess with the charts. Judging by my elaborate series of pie charts and lucid, LSD-induced dreams, it becomes painfully clear that the Wii will only see a marked improvement sometime in December."

A local psychoanalyst was quick to refute these claims, however, calling Bluffington a "delusional psychopath." With experts in conflict, we felt it best to enquire directly with Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata. His entirely cryptic response suggested that "Nintendo hasn't launched the system yet, you freaking [sic] imbeciles." A likely story. A likely story indeed.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS PhatDsPhatHardware salesHardwareSalesJapanJapanese hardware salesJapanese salesJapaneseHardwareSalesJapaneseSalessales rankingSalesRankingLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-15T18:25:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 14 August - 20 August: supreme bias editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/japanese-hardware-sales-14-august-20-august-supreme-bias-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/japanese-hardware-sales-14-august-20-august-supreme-bias-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/japanese-hardware-sales-14-august-20-august-supreme-bias-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Much like a used car purchased from a licentious and overbearing salesman, people often come with their own set of inherent, sometimes unpredictable quirks and predilections. It's part of being human and, in most cases, can be kept under control. Unfortunately, that's not how things regularly work in the realms of video games, internet communication and poorly constructed vehicle metaphors.

Some people are driven mad by the desire to travel down the road of their favorite console manufacturer, logic chicanes and reality potholes blissfully ignored in pursuit of victory over those driving in the opposite direction (or in the case of the Wii, avoiding the road entirely and taking to the sky in a Da Vincian flying contraption). This week, we ponder what it would be like if such a person wrote Joystiq's weekly Japanese sales recap.

The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 74,495 122,224 (62.13%)
- PSP: 41,535 246 (0.60%)
- PS2: 26,833 286 (1.08%)
- GBA SP: 3,823 772 (25.30%)
- Game Boy Micro: 2,266 235 (11.57%)
- Xbox 360: 1,493 289 (24.00%)
- Gamecube: 922 18 (1.91%)
- DS Phat: 712 222 (23.77%)
- GBA: 20 3 (13.04%)
- Xbox: 7 1 (16.67%)

The PlayStation persuader: As you can see, dear readers, the PSP is well on its way to the top of the charts. The DS Lite takes the biggest plunge this week, no doubt caused by people realizing that they'd rather play a full game on the PSP's big screen than half a game on two, tiny screens. Sure, "41,535" is technically a smaller number than "74,495" but a huge number is a huge number. And nobody does huge numbers like Sony.

The Microsoft minion: At least the Xbox is consistent. It has always remained in the prestigious top 10, talking directly to a confident and highbrow society within Japan. The Xbox 360 doesn't need to pander to the masses with mundane and "appealing" games. Not everyone can understand the significance of shooting from a first-person, nay, first-mersive experience.

The Nintendo neophyte: Has this thing changed yet? No. The DS Lite is still outselling everything ever made and proving once again that innovation is the key to success. Indeed, redesigning the DS Phat and releasing New Super Mario Bros. was the one-two punch of freshness that gave the competition a bloody nose.

The N-Gage encapsulant: Uh ... we'll let our commenters discuss these numbers.

[Source: Media Create. Image: Daily Dinosaur Comics. Trying: too hard.]

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]]>DS PhatDsPhatHardware chartsHardwareChartsJapanJapanese hardware salesJapaneseHardwareSalesSales chartsSalesChartsLudwig Kietzmann2006-08-25T16:35:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 7 August - 13 August: fake comments editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/japanese-hardware-sales-7-august-13-august-fake-comments-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/japanese-hardware-sales-7-august-13-august-fake-comments-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/japanese-hardware-sales-7-august-13-august-fake-comments-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 196,719 33,147 (20.26%)
- PSP: 41,289 8,063 (16.34%)
- PS2: 26,547 560 (2.15%)
- GBA SP: 3,051 267 (9.59%)
- Game Boy Micro: 2,031 103 (5.34%)
- Xbox 360: 1,204 185 (13.32%)
- Gamecube: 940 36 (3.98%)
- DS Phat: 934 225 (19.41%)
- GBA: 23 11 (32.35%)
- Xbox: 6 8 (57.14%)

[Source: Media Create]

1. first post!!! lol

Posted at 10:01PM on Aug 18th 2006 by tention0 STARS

2. I see the DS Lite had a pretty notable increase this week, whereas the DS Phat continues its downward spiral. The PSP also took a bit of a dive. I wonder why?

Posted at 10:03PM on Aug 18th 2006 by fun_read3 STARS

3. Joystiq I don't live in JAPAN! Why do you keep posting these numbers?! Why don't you post American sales, please?

Posted at 10:06PM on Aug 18th 2006 by grogme0 STARS

4. Grogme, the Japanese sales numbers are tracked much more meticulously than the American ones. These charts become available each week, whereas the NPD only published data once a month. Joystiq usually posts NPD information whenever it becomes available.

Posted at 10:11PM on Aug 18th 2006 by heap o' beers8741 STARS

5. Wow. <_< People still buy the Xbox?

Posted at 10:12PM on Aug 18th 2006 by sixpoundsplusgravity1 STAR

6. Gawd, Joystiq is so biased. They put the DS Lite at the top of the list EVERY TIME.

Posted at 10:14PM on Aug 18th 2006 by wiicked0 STARS

7. Ludwig, I know you like to make your posts "wacky" and "sarcastic" or whatever, but this is *ridiculous*. I'm afraid we're gonna have to let you go.

Posted at 10:15PM on Aug 18th 2006 by C. Grant0 STARS

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]]>DS PhatDsPhatJapanJapanese hardware salesJapaneseHardwareSalesSales chartsSalesChartsLudwig Kietzmann2006-08-18T22:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 31 July - 6 August: heavy metahttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/japanese-hardware-sales-31-july-6-august-heavy-meta/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/japanese-hardware-sales-31-july-6-august-heavy-meta/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/japanese-hardware-sales-31-july-6-august-heavy-meta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Though we may frequently appear to be aloof, apathetic or altogether addicted to awe-inspiring alliteration, the Joystiq crew is actually attentively attuned to the needs of its readers and commenters. We know what you want, and what you want is what we know -- that is to say, we'll teach you how to make an official Joystiq Japanese sales chart post in the comfort of your very own home!

Step 1: Create a terrible introductory paragraph

The introductory paragraph helps ease the reader into the wealth of information provided by one of these posts. It functions like a soft mattress placed in-between the reader and the pit of rusty nails that is the weekly onslaught of numbers. Make sure that the introductory paragraph is self-referential, wildly incoherent and not even remotely related to the actual sales numbers. You may introduce a second paragraph if you feel the mattress needs to be thicker, though it's recommended that you implement a silly allegory to maintain interest and "humor."

A third paragraph, however, is most certainly not recommended. It will only serve to anger those that are eager to reach the actual information.

Step 2: Insert the sales information obtained from Media Create:

The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 163,572 13,281 (7.51%)
- PSP: 49,352 6,748 (15.84%)
- PS2: 25,987 464 (1.75%)
- GBA SP: 2,784 555 (24.90%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,928 162 (9.17%)
- Xbox 360: 1,389 857 (38.16%)
- DS Phat: 1,159 371 (24.25%)
- Gamecube: 904 135 (12.99%)
- GBA: 34 25 (277.77%)
- Xbox: 14 3 (27.27%)

Step 3: Create a final paragraph (must be worse than introductory paragraph)

In your final paragraph, you may opt to analyze the week's sales trends (the Xbox is always a hilarious topic), possibly referring to coinciding NPD reports or pointing out how the DS Lite outsells everything, in the universe, ever. Alternatively, you may use it as a denouement to any running jokes you regrettably started in Step 1.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatHardware sales chartsHardwareSalesChartsJapanese hardware salesJapanese salesJapaneseHardwareSalesJapaneseSalesLudwig Kietzmann2006-08-11T19:55:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 24 July - 30 July: incredibly incalculable increasehttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/japanese-hardware-sales-24-july-30-july-incredibly-incalcula/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/japanese-hardware-sales-24-july-30-july-incredibly-incalcula/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/japanese-hardware-sales-24-july-30-july-incredibly-incalcula/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Just as several wily commenters predicted last week, the original Xbox suddenly (and quite mysteriously) experiences a sales increase over its impressive tally of zero this week. The resulting percentage rise is so incredibly gargantuan and intimidating that it simply cannot be comprehended by the human mind, at least not without the aid of divine omnipotence or persistant alcohol poisoning. The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 176,853 85,600 (32.62%)
- PSP: 42,604 6,666 (18.55%)
- PS2: 26,451 4,163 (18.68%)
- Xbox 360: 2,246 774 (52.58%)
- GBA SP: 2,229 724 (24.52%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,766 356 (25.25%)
- DS Phat: 1,530 4,814 (75.88%)
- Gamecube: 1,039 37 (3.44%)
- Xbox: 11 11 (infinite)
- GBA: 9 11 (55.00%)

Other points of interest this week include the Xbox 360's flirtation with the fourth position in the charts (and the huge gap between it and the PS2), the DS Phat's return to unpopular status and the vaguely demonic number of new PSP owners.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhathardware chartsHardwareChartsJapanJapanese hardware salesJapaneseHardwareSalesLudwig Kietzmann2006-08-04T21:15:00+00:00Nintendo plays numbers game, wins!http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/nintendo-plays-numbers-game-wins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/nintendo-plays-numbers-game-wins/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/nintendo-plays-numbers-game-wins/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nintendo certainly struck the jackpot with their little dual-screened device, didn't they? With 21 million DS units having been sold worldwide, you can bet that the Japanese giant is enjoying every last penny spilling forth from the one-armed consumer. In the celebratory press release, Nintendo points out that what they've accomplished in under two years easily trumps the 1 million iPods Apple shifted in 19 months. Apparently, that equates to 23 DS systems sold per minute ever since the November 2004 launch.

As you may vengefully recall, we accused Nintendo of having suspiciously puffy sleeves in our last game of marketing poker. You'll be happy to learn then that there are no such shenanigans here and that the numbers check out based on a 24-hour business day. We suspect that if the day were any longer, Nintendo would make such a huge amount of money that they'd be taken into a back room, sternly questioned by Joe Pesci and ... this casino allegory is going nowhere.

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]]>CasinoDS LiteDS PhatDS SalesDsLiteDsPhatDsSalesGeorge HarrisonGeorgeHarrisonLudwig Kietzmann2006-07-25T11:25:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 10 July - 16 July: rapid weight gainhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/21/japanese-hardware-sales-10-july-16-july-rapid-weight-gain/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/21/japanese-hardware-sales-10-july-16-july-rapid-weight-gain/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/21/japanese-hardware-sales-10-july-16-july-rapid-weight-gain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It seems Japanese gamers are still maliciously toying with the original DS, kicking it to the bottom of the charts one week and hoisting it back up again the next. Shortages and a shifting focus to the Lite are likely to blame, but we can't help but picture a somewhat nervous and haggard DS Phat staring into a cracked mirror, contemplating whether people want him ... or just want him dead. The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 140,858 8,596 (5.75%)
- PSP: 35,283 3,324 (10.40%)
- PS2: 23,927 595 (2.55%)
- DS Phat: 11,821 10,812 (1071.56%)
- GBA SP: 2,619 199 (7.06%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,581 202 (14.65%)
- Xbox 360: 1,105 505 (31.37%)
- Gamecube: 928 6 (0.64%)
- GBA: 28 8 (40.00%)
- Xbox: 10 3 (23.08%)

The PSP continues to do well this week (despite boasting only half as many screens as its main competitor) while the Xbox 360 takes a bit of a tumble. The latter system's fortunes continue to look glum in Japan, a situation that could easily be reversed by one ingenious move -- releasing the console in pink. What else have they got to lose?

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS phatDsLiteDsPhatjapanese chartsJapanese hardware salesJapaneseChartsJapaneseHardwareSalessalesLudwig Kietzmann2006-07-21T22:25:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 3 July - 9 July: paging Rod Serlinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/japanese-hardware-sales-3-july-9-july-paging-rod-serling/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/japanese-hardware-sales-3-july-9-july-paging-rod-serling/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/japanese-hardware-sales-3-july-9-july-paging-rod-serling/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There are times when reading the Japanese sales charts can be a decidedly odd and disturbing experience, as if your mind suddenly becomes aware that all is not right in the universe. Like a homicidal clown lurking in a dark corner, this week's situation is certainly amusing, but it's not something you want to come into contact with on a regular basis. It's just wrong. The ranking, according to number of units sold:


- DS Lite: 149,454 4,112 (2.68%)
- PSP: 31,959 6,024 (23.23%)
- PS2: 23,332 199 (0.86%)
- GBA SP: 2,818 101 (3.46%)
- Xbox 360: 1,610 287 (15.13%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,379 64 (4.44%)
- DS Phat: 1,009 2,495 (71.20%)
- Gamecube: 934 68 (6.79%)
- GBA: 20 3 (17.65%)
- Xbox: 13 5 (62.50%)

Looking at the opposite ends of the list is like glancing into the cackling face of madness (it bears a vague resemblance to Groucho Marx). The DS Lite endures a minor slip, its older sibling takes a complete fall down a set of stairs and the original Xbox experiences the biggest improvement percentage-wise out of the whole lot. Did we enter into some sort of zone where normal things don't happen very often?

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatHardware salesHardwareSalesJapanJapanese chartsJapaneseChartsMedia CreateMediaCreateLudwig Kietzmann2006-07-14T22:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 26 June - 2 July: You've got red on youhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/09/japanese-hardware-sales-26-june-2-july-youve-got-red-on-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/09/japanese-hardware-sales-26-june-2-july-youve-got-red-on-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/09/japanese-hardware-sales-26-june-2-july-youve-got-red-on-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Oh, the horror. Be sure to keep angry fanboys and dubiously trained pet bulls away from the monitor this week, as it displays an awful lot of red. Even the mighty DS Lite experiences the strange sensation of slipping, possibly caused by the tight grip of an overweight sibling. The ranking, according to number of units sold:


- DS Lite: 153,566 3,456 (2.20%)
- PSP: 25,935 1,198 (4.84%)
- PS2: 23,133 2,334 (9.16%)
- DS Phat: 3,504 6,628 (65.42%)
- GBA SP: 2,919 829 (21.91%)
- Xbox 360: 1,897 728 (62.28%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,443 59 (3.93%)
- Gamecube: 1,002 195 (16.29%)
- GBA: 17 8 (32.00%)
- Xbox: 8 2 (20.00%)

As a commenter jokingly suggested last week, it's awfully difficult to resist the temptation of traveling to Japan and purchasing 10,000 Xbox consoles, just to ... exacerbate things.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatHardware salesHardwareSalesJapanJapanese salesJapaneseSalesSales chartsSalesChartsLudwig Kietzmann2006-07-09T15:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 19 June - 25 June: the bigger they arehttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/japanese-hardware-sales-19-june-25-june-the-bigger-they-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/japanese-hardware-sales-19-june-25-june-the-bigger-they-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/30/japanese-hardware-sales-19-june-25-june-the-bigger-they-are/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

... the harder they fall. The Japanese population's brief rekindling of their romance with the DS Phat, showing a massive 1559% increase in sales last week, seems to have died out for now. Our obese friend takes the sharpest fall this week, with slimmer, trimmer machines like the Game Boy Micro and DS Lite faring better. The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 157,022 15,535 (10.98%)
- PS2: 25,467 4,730 (22.81%)
- PSP: 24,737 84 (0.34%)
- DS Phat: 10,132 12,616 (55.46%)
- GBA SP: 3,784 858 (18.48%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,502 208 (16.07%)
- Gamecube: 1,197 195 (19.46%)
- Xbox 360: 1,169 238 (16.92%)
- GBA: 25 5 (25.00%)
- Xbox: 10 5 (33.33%)

The rest of the chart seems intentionally unremarkable, with the Lite reigning on top and the spinless Xbox sweeping the ground floor. Very soon, it will be expected to clean up the explosion of confetti and glitter accompanying the launch of the Noble Pink DS Lite.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhathardware salesHardwareSalesJapanese chartsJapaneseChartsMedia CreateMediaCreateSales chartsSalesChartsLudwig Kietzmann2006-06-30T15:25:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 12 June - 18 June: Phat's backhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/23/japanese-hardware-sales-12-june-18-june-phats-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/23/japanese-hardware-sales-12-june-18-june-phats-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/23/japanese-hardware-sales-12-june-18-june-phats-back/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Quite possibly the only sane thing we've received from Japan this week, the Japanese hardware sales charts show it like it is -- no silly comparisons, half-truths or fuzzy mathematics in sight. The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 141,487 9,460 (7.17%)
- PSP: 24,653 2,997 (13.84%)
- DS Phat: 22,748 21,377 (1559.23%)
- PS2: 20,737 1,756 (9.25%)
- GBA SP: 4,642 526 (12.78%)
- Xbox 360: 1,407 307 (27.91%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,294 360 (21.77%)
- Gamecube: 1,002 41 (4.27%)
- GBA: 20 10 (33.33%)
- Xbox: 15 5 (25.00%)

Aside from the soothing abundance of green, the most noticeable aspect of this week's chart is undoubtedly the DS Phat's performance, indicating either a surge in its popularity or a surge in desperation amongst those who couldn't track down a DS Lite. Perhaps it's time to import a black one from Europe?

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatHardware SalesHardwareSalesJapanJapanese SalesJapaneseSalesLudwig Kietzmann2006-06-23T15:25:00+00:00Black DS Lite's flesh compared to PSP, DS Phathttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/20/black-ds-lites-flesh-compared-to-psp-ds-phat/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/20/black-ds-lites-flesh-compared-to-psp-ds-phat/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/20/black-ds-lites-flesh-compared-to-psp-ds-phat/#commentsFiled under: ,

Spudstercool, the tipster that sent us shots of the black DS Lite yesterday, was busy last night taking a few more photos of his black DS Lite alongside his PSP and now discarded DS Phat. This thing is hawt.

Some answers to questions in the earlier comments thread:
  • The DS Phat goes for around £70 on eBay.co.uk although GAME stores will give you £40 towards a DS Lite if you give them your DS Phat.
  • The North American release date for the black DS Lite is, as yet, unannounced.
  • You can import a U.K. DS Lite to your country without worrying about region encoding for games, but you'll still need to figure out a way of converting the UK DS Lite's 3-pin 230V/50Hz power adapter to your local mains power.

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]]>Black DS LiteBlackDsLiteDS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhateBayGAMELiteNintendo DS LiteNintendo DS PhatNintendoDsLiteNintendoDsPhatPhatPowerSony DSSonyDsSpudstercoolConrad Quilty-Harper2006-06-20T06:00:00+00:00Japanese hardware sales, 5 June - 11 June: outnumberedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/japanese-hardware-sales-5-june-11-june-outnumbered/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/japanese-hardware-sales-5-june-11-june-outnumbered/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/japanese-hardware-sales-5-june-11-june-outnumbered/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The sheer volume of words being displayed on the front page of this blog is, quite frankly, entirely ridiculous. It's time for a change. It's time we inundate you with the accountant's best friend and the alphabet's greatest foe. It's time we unleash the Japanese hardware sales charts for the week ranging from 5 June to 11 June and thoughtfully observe their effects on the human body. The ranking, according to number of units sold:

- DS Lite: 132,027 3,587 (2,65%)
- PSP: 21,656 2,939 (11,95%)
- PS2: 18,981 468 (2,53%)
- GBA SP: 4,116 248 (5,68%)
- Game Boy Micro: 1,654 384 (30,24%)
- DS Phat: 1,371 212 (18,29%)
- Xbox 360: 1,100 145 (11,65%)
- Gamecube: 961 163 (20,43%)
- GBA: 30 6 (20,00%)
- Xbox: 20 23 (53,49%)

For those perplexed by the friendly arrows, rest assured that their intention is only to indicate whether a platform's sales have increased or decreased since the last week (followed by the exact difference and a percentage). For those perplexed by the previous sentence, we politely suggest that you try attending school for once.

[Source: Media Create]

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]]>DS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhathardware salesHardwareSalesJapanese salesJapaneseSalesMedia CreateMediaCreateNPDLudwig Kietzmann2006-06-16T18:55:00+00:00The DS Lite is "smaller than a brick"http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Arstechnica has posted a comprehensive five page review of the DS Lite, with a large portion dedicated to comparisons with the DS Phat. This isn't the first review of the DS Lite, but it could possibly be the most well thought out. Here are the key points of the review:

The screens
  • Greater viewing angle - "it's now possible to watch someone else playing the system and actually see the screen"
  • Brighter - "the upgraded screen may be worth the price of an upgrade alone"
  • Dead pixels - "my unit has a stuck pixel on the top screen"
  • Flimsy? - "the bottom screen seems to be floating in the system case, not held down tight like the DS [Phat]"
The feel
  • Lighter - "the system is lighter, making it easier for me to cradle it using the tips of my fingers"
  • Buttons - "The D-pad is a touch smaller... and a bit less satisfying in the click department" although "the buttons on both DS products are a little bit on the small side"
  • Central microphone "makes games that use voice recognition easier to play."
The battery
  • Six hours usually, although "it's not hard to get eight hours of battery life as long as you don't continually keep the system on its brightest setting."
The overall feeling from the review is that if you're a DS virgin and have been mulling a purchase, now is the time to jump in. If, however, you're a DS Phat owner and haven't decided whether it's worth trading in for the updated hardware, the suggestion from this review is go for it. "If you're a casual gamer or a hardcore fan who takes your portable everywhere, you'll like the way your games play and look on the DS Lite".

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]]>ArsArs TechnicaArsTechnicaBatteryDSDS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatLightNintendo DSNintendoDsReviewConrad Quilty-Harper2006-06-12T17:25:00+00:00