DS Lite Off to Explosive Start

Tinier version of the twin-screen wonder picks up where its predecessor left off.

It was inevitable. Within hours of hitting shelves, the DS Lite was a sell-out in Japan, numerous sources are reporting, further supporting the idea that the country simply cannot get enough of that twin-screen portable.

The rejuvenated DS was officially released in Japan on March 3rd. Demand seemed even greater than at the DS launch in late 2004, GameSpot surmised in its launch report, and there was a more diverse audience too.

The launch was preceded by agonising weeks during which major retailers refused to take pre-orders. When they did, some sold out of their launch allocations within hours. So with no assurances to be had, the hardcore did what the hardcore always do - they hit the streets.

You may ask yourself what would persuade hundreds (in some cases) of people to queue overnight in the freezing cold, but the decision was all too logical for the gamers who had been scouring stores since Christmas to get a DS, after it sold out, much to Nintendo's joy. The company may have issued a heartfelt apology on its Web site, but you can bet there was rejoicing behind the scenes.

Nintendo made many would-be DS Lite owners even more anxious just days before launch by announcing that the Enamel Navy and Ice Blue variants would be in short supply due to manufacturing snafus. No matter - the sleek Crystal White version was always going to be the standard bearer for the new DS. The other colours are expected to launch on 11 March.

Nintendo is being cagey about when the rest of the world will take delivery. Sources close to Nintendo told Kikizo that Europe should get the DS Lite in May, but the official line out of the company is still wait-and-see.

Will Federman
Staff Writer, Kikizo Games