DS Succeeds in PSP's Absence

Nintendo sees excellent uptake of its new handheld during its launch window, but the company is about to face its biggest challenge yet.

It was just under three weeks ago that hundreds of gamers around the UK queued up at midnight on a blustery night to be the first to taste Nintendo's new dual-screen handheld, the DS. Since then, more than 500,000 of the initial shipment of 650,000 DSs have been sold in Europe, Nintendo has revealed, showing a strong demand for the handheld.

Hundreds of gamers lined up for the chance to be among
the first in Europe to try out the DS

Software has been doing well, too, with front-runner Super Mario 64 DS, a remade version of the classic Nintendo 64 launch title, coming out tops with 250,000 sales since launch day. The next-best-selling game thus far is Wario Ware Touched!

"The launch of Nintendo DS in Europe has been a huge success," said Nintendo's Jim Merrick. "European gamers have embraced the Nintendo DS and have left no doubt that it is the new must-have console!

"Nintendo set out to create a new way of handheld gaming, offering an innovative and enjoyable experience and with the new Nintendo DS, we have certainly accomplished this."

But despite the well-deserved enthusiasm and optimism for better things to come, Nintendo is about to face its biggest challenge.

Of primary concern to Nintendo is the post-launch release lull. This is nothing new - similar new game shortages have plagued every major console and handheld launch to date. But despite launching with a healthy range of games, there are only a few top-tier titles slated for release over the coming months. The next batch of new releases includes Yoshi Touch & Go, Need For Speed Underground and a portable tie-in to this summer's Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith - all coming out in May.

The importance of this is much clearer when Sony is brought into the picture. The current console market leader is on the brink of announcing the launch details for its PSP handheld, which is already on sale in the US and Japan. Nintendo has never faced as aggressive an opponent in the portable gaming arena, and there is significant overlap between the target audiences - a fact both companies seem eager to dismiss.

At the moment, Sony is being coy with pricing and release date details for the PSP, but high street and online retailers have already begun widespread pre-order campaigns. The absence of official word from Sony, however, leaves Nintendo a gap to build up a sizeable lead in the next-generation portable game market.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games