According to figures released by Nintendo earlier this week, the Nintendo DS has sold more than five million units in Japan in less than 13 months after its launch back in early December 2004.
This makes the DS the fastest-ever selling console to hit the magic and mightily impressive five million sales, beating the GBA which took over 14 months to reach the same number. Sony’s PlayStation 2, by comparison, took 17 months to hit this many.
Nintendo’s President Satoru Iwata attributed the phenomenal growth to the company’s sustained marketing campaigns targeting both the hardcore faithful and casual/non-traditional gamers.
Mr Iwata told a news conference this week: “To achieve this rapid growth, we were required not only to go after frequent game players, but to reel back people who had left games and to make video games enjoyable for those who had not played games at all."
The hardcore have had lashings of Nintendo action on the DS which has kept them more than happy – with traditionally popular Nintendo franchises such as Metroid and Mario Kart not failing to deliver.
Beyond this though, Nintendo have also focused heavily on games for ‘non-traditional gamers’ such as women and older adults, successfully opening up new markets with innovative products such as Nintendogs and Animal Crossing.
According to their Club Nintendo stats in Japan, the Touch Generation series has been a massive hit with female gamers, with about half of the consumers that have already bought Nintendogs being female.
Four DS games have already crossed the one million sales mark in Japan. Train Your Brain has shipped nearly 1.4 million units. Animal Crossing weighs in at 1.27 million. And tied for third place, Nintendogs and Brain Flex have each sold around 1.08 million units.
However, Nintendo's dominance in the handheld sector worldwide is clearly threatened by Sony’s PlayStation Portable. The company had cut its global sales forecast for the DS to 12 million units worldwide by March 2006 compared with 12.4 million units initially estimated. Plus Nintendo has recently cut the price of the DS by $20 in the United States to increase sales.
This makes the DS the fastest-ever selling console to hit the magic and mightily impressive five million sales, beating the GBA which took over 14 months to reach the same number. Sony’s PlayStation 2, by comparison, took 17 months to hit this many.
Nintendo’s President Satoru Iwata attributed the phenomenal growth to the company’s sustained marketing campaigns targeting both the hardcore faithful and casual/non-traditional gamers.
Mr Iwata told a news conference this week: “To achieve this rapid growth, we were required not only to go after frequent game players, but to reel back people who had left games and to make video games enjoyable for those who had not played games at all."
The hardcore have had lashings of Nintendo action on the DS which has kept them more than happy – with traditionally popular Nintendo franchises such as Metroid and Mario Kart not failing to deliver.
Beyond this though, Nintendo have also focused heavily on games for ‘non-traditional gamers’ such as women and older adults, successfully opening up new markets with innovative products such as Nintendogs and Animal Crossing.
According to their Club Nintendo stats in Japan, the Touch Generation series has been a massive hit with female gamers, with about half of the consumers that have already bought Nintendogs being female.
Four DS games have already crossed the one million sales mark in Japan. Train Your Brain has shipped nearly 1.4 million units. Animal Crossing weighs in at 1.27 million. And tied for third place, Nintendogs and Brain Flex have each sold around 1.08 million units.
However, Nintendo's dominance in the handheld sector worldwide is clearly threatened by Sony’s PlayStation Portable. The company had cut its global sales forecast for the DS to 12 million units worldwide by March 2006 compared with 12.4 million units initially estimated. Plus Nintendo has recently cut the price of the DS by $20 in the United States to increase sales.
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Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 25.
Coxy 28 Dec 2005 20:03
6/25
brandon_r87 wrote:
People buy PSP to watch UMD movies? Instead of playing games? And it's over $100 more expensive!!!
I've always found the concept of UMDs slightly flawed, I mean what's the point in paying for glorified scaled-down DVDs when you may already own the titles on standard DVD, and what's worse is that they are the same price of regular DVDs - This is definately a key factor in why the PSP is failing, plus the fact everything for it is so damn expensive.
brandon_r87 wrote:
Edit: I'm not a Nintendo fanboy either, I play my 360 and original Xbox far far more than I play GC. I just feel Sony is a big f!@#ing joke and disgrace to video games.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Sony a disgrace, I mean just yesterday I was having touble registering my PSP (I know - the shame!), after the umpteenth attempt failed, I was exteremely p*ssed off (excuse my french), so I sent them an email and they replied just this very morning offering loads of helpful advice.
Whereas, I sent Microsoft an email about two months ago and have still received no reply.
You can knock Sony for many things, but shoddy Customer Services is not one of them. ^_^
kid_77 28 Dec 2005 22:31
7/25
I've had a PSP for nearly a year now, and I'm defintely happy with it. I've had me some great gaming, and catching up on films the missus ain't keen on is superb.
But...
I got a DS for xmas - with Mario Kart and Nintendogs, and I feel like a kid again.
Yes, Nintendogs is glorified tamagotchi, and I don't know how to defend it with words. You really need to look after your dog, otherwise it won't love you, and I can't handle that - plus it won't give me lovely pressies when out walkies.
Mario Kart DS is the best MK ever. Definetly. They've just tweaked the existing handling mechanics to the nth degree. It's got the SNES' tight, exact handling, but combined with the most crazy, beautiful drift design imaginable.
So, yeah, the DS has given me more exciting, pleasurable gaming in four days, than the PSP in nine months. But I won't be selling it any time soon (I've got Tales of Eternia on pre-order), but I imagine it'll be gathering dust until it's delivered.
The DS has reminded me of how important gaming felt in my life when I was a 12 year-old. Thanks Ninty.
But...
I got a DS for xmas - with Mario Kart and Nintendogs, and I feel like a kid again.
Yes, Nintendogs is glorified tamagotchi, and I don't know how to defend it with words. You really need to look after your dog, otherwise it won't love you, and I can't handle that - plus it won't give me lovely pressies when out walkies.
Mario Kart DS is the best MK ever. Definetly. They've just tweaked the existing handling mechanics to the nth degree. It's got the SNES' tight, exact handling, but combined with the most crazy, beautiful drift design imaginable.
So, yeah, the DS has given me more exciting, pleasurable gaming in four days, than the PSP in nine months. But I won't be selling it any time soon (I've got Tales of Eternia on pre-order), but I imagine it'll be gathering dust until it's delivered.
The DS has reminded me of how important gaming felt in my life when I was a 12 year-old. Thanks Ninty.
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brandon_r87 28 Dec 2005 23:24
8/25
OK Coxy, I'll take back my statement about them being a disgrace, simply because I have never owned a Sony video game product, other than a broken original PlayStation someone gave me. And yes, Microsoft's customer service sucks, I too have been burned by them. For example, you're better asking someone on the community forums about Windows than Microsoft's customer service. That's why they hand out MS-MVPs so they don't have to do their job.
The reason I hate Sony so much then... Everyone loves them for giving us complete crap when compared to other systems. Everyone praised (at least where I'm from) praised the PS for having superior graphics to N64, when in fact, they were grainy and craptastic. Same with PS2, everyone here who has one says they are by far the best when even Gamecube edges them out in graphics and especially (and more importantly) quality. Thank goodness most people around here go for the Xbox. Plus no PS2 games really grab my attention and make me want to buy an entire console just to play that game, except for maybe Katamari Damacy. That game seems tailored to be played on my DS though. But honestly? Jak and Daxter? Ratchet and Clank? I'll stick to Mario, Metroid, and Zelda thank you.
Second, Sony fanboys are dicks. Can't blame that on Sony, but it certainly doesn't help them. Sony fanboys always used to come to DS boards at Nintendo.com to trash the DS. "PSP haxxorz!! DS suxxorz!!1!!" Yeah, real mature dumbass. Graphics are all there is aren't there. I agree, they're nice and I love the PSP's screen and graphics, but gameplay comes first.
Eventually, I'll pick up a PSP when they're under $100 at a garage sale, but for now they're far too expensive for a system that I have to be so careful with. If they just slapped a stronger, less fashionable and more protective case on there, and put out a few interesting games, I might spring for it, who knows?
The reason I hate Sony so much then... Everyone loves them for giving us complete crap when compared to other systems. Everyone praised (at least where I'm from) praised the PS for having superior graphics to N64, when in fact, they were grainy and craptastic. Same with PS2, everyone here who has one says they are by far the best when even Gamecube edges them out in graphics and especially (and more importantly) quality. Thank goodness most people around here go for the Xbox. Plus no PS2 games really grab my attention and make me want to buy an entire console just to play that game, except for maybe Katamari Damacy. That game seems tailored to be played on my DS though. But honestly? Jak and Daxter? Ratchet and Clank? I'll stick to Mario, Metroid, and Zelda thank you.
Second, Sony fanboys are dicks. Can't blame that on Sony, but it certainly doesn't help them. Sony fanboys always used to come to DS boards at Nintendo.com to trash the DS. "PSP haxxorz!! DS suxxorz!!1!!" Yeah, real mature dumbass. Graphics are all there is aren't there. I agree, they're nice and I love the PSP's screen and graphics, but gameplay comes first.
Eventually, I'll pick up a PSP when they're under $100 at a garage sale, but for now they're far too expensive for a system that I have to be so careful with. If they just slapped a stronger, less fashionable and more protective case on there, and put out a few interesting games, I might spring for it, who knows?
Joji 29 Dec 2005 02:23
9/25
I find the fanboy comment interesting Brandon. Each to their own and all since it would be weird if we all liked the same thing.
Best thing I always believe is to strive to own all systems to enjoy all the games equally, for only then can you really judge each systems pros and cons. When this is done only then do you truly understand and appreciate who's who in gaming.
If you can't own all systems for financial reasons or otherwise then atleast try to sample all the games you can. I own PSone, PS2, GC, Xbox, DC, N64, SNES, GB, GBA and DS. All have good games (and bad too but I choose carefully) regardless of who built them and I'm happy with them.
DS is beating PSP like I said it would shortly after they both launched but the PSP has potential and good games will come out for it soon. I find £180 is a lot of money to pay for one PSP but the likes of Ghost and Ghouls and a few other titles have me thinking about buying one.
E3 2006 should be interesting on the game front for both handhelds.
Best thing I always believe is to strive to own all systems to enjoy all the games equally, for only then can you really judge each systems pros and cons. When this is done only then do you truly understand and appreciate who's who in gaming.
If you can't own all systems for financial reasons or otherwise then atleast try to sample all the games you can. I own PSone, PS2, GC, Xbox, DC, N64, SNES, GB, GBA and DS. All have good games (and bad too but I choose carefully) regardless of who built them and I'm happy with them.
DS is beating PSP like I said it would shortly after they both launched but the PSP has potential and good games will come out for it soon. I find £180 is a lot of money to pay for one PSP but the likes of Ghost and Ghouls and a few other titles have me thinking about buying one.
E3 2006 should be interesting on the game front for both handhelds.
jodo4 29 Dec 2005 02:57
10/25
And with that other hundred dollars you can get a portable dvd player with a bigger screen and longer battery life and play the DVD's you already have. Plus the online service that is worth trying, sony barely promotes sony online (or improves it) as nintendo does to nintendo wifi.
yea, another thing I hate is all the damn accessories the PSP has, I swear to god I walked into a great video game store today (and the area it's in has a giant OCEAN of PSP ads, including a big giant PSP with a screen playing one of it's corny comercials, the one where the guy throws his PSP and someone else catches it like 20 miles away and it keeps getting passed around)
Anyway, I walk into the store to get a replacment nes power cable and I see something called "The Super PSP Accessory Pack" it costs 300 dollars and with NO PSP INCLUDED!! I dont know if it was just the store but it had like a case a one gig memory pro card which alone I have seen for 150-200 dollars on the internet, a case, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Then I hissed at the store owner.... yes I am like that.
P.S. Don't ask about the NES power cable, it hit me like a flashback after playing Dig dug from Namco's classic arcade pack for the gamecube at World Store (Glory I tell you, Glory).
And just for fun, in world store's lobby, they had a screen with speakers, a camera (hidden), and a mic (also hidden) and on the screen was mario or wario and you can talk to them, it was hilarious because some kid called mario and his hat ugly and later on I snapped back at wario and argued with him because he said luigi was a "whining baby".
yea, another thing I hate is all the damn accessories the PSP has, I swear to god I walked into a great video game store today (and the area it's in has a giant OCEAN of PSP ads, including a big giant PSP with a screen playing one of it's corny comercials, the one where the guy throws his PSP and someone else catches it like 20 miles away and it keeps getting passed around)
Anyway, I walk into the store to get a replacment nes power cable and I see something called "The Super PSP Accessory Pack" it costs 300 dollars and with NO PSP INCLUDED!! I dont know if it was just the store but it had like a case a one gig memory pro card which alone I have seen for 150-200 dollars on the internet, a case, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Then I hissed at the store owner.... yes I am like that.
P.S. Don't ask about the NES power cable, it hit me like a flashback after playing Dig dug from Namco's classic arcade pack for the gamecube at World Store (Glory I tell you, Glory).
And just for fun, in world store's lobby, they had a screen with speakers, a camera (hidden), and a mic (also hidden) and on the screen was mario or wario and you can talk to them, it was hilarious because some kid called mario and his hat ugly and later on I snapped back at wario and argued with him because he said luigi was a "whining baby".
brandon_r87 29 Dec 2005 06:31
11/25
Yes, I agree with you about everyone liking the same thing. But our dislike of something else is what makes our interest in what we like more powerful.
Props to you Joji for trying everything. I'll eventually get a PS2 so I can finally play my Katamari Damacy (YES!) to find out just how quirky and enjoyable it is. That is, unless it cuts into my Revolution fund which is currently nonexistent.
Props to you Joji for trying everything. I'll eventually get a PS2 so I can finally play my Katamari Damacy (YES!) to find out just how quirky and enjoyable it is. That is, unless it cuts into my Revolution fund which is currently nonexistent.
DoctorDee 29 Dec 2005 09:00
12/25
fluffstardx wrote:
Sony got SPANKED.
But they DIDN'T did they. They went from NOWHERE in handheld gaming to having a serious competitor. Gizmondo got SPANKED.
Sony and Nintendo are currently selling to very different audiences. Sony's market is (I'd guess) older, more style conscious and more casual gameplayers. People like me, in fact.
I acknowledge that the DS is a better games playing machine, in fact right after seeing it at E3 2004, we said exactly that here on SPOnG. But for me it looks too clumsy and ugly for me to want to be seen with it while I'm on a plane or train. And the PSP's multimedia capabilities - well the ability to play movies, at least - really do make the difference.
Thing is, if the PSP can do this well with so few good games and no meaningful on-line service, how well could it have done if it had better games and on-line?
wanderingsoul 29 Dec 2005 09:09
13/25
Personally I don't care much for aesthetics. It's the fun factor. How many people will judge me based on the aesthetics of what handheld I'm playing? Not many. And out of those who do judge me, when will I ever see them again? And when will their opinion ever matter in the first place?
I still think the ipod is overpriced, but it's still dominating the market. It can't be about price alone. It's hard to break pre-conceived boundaries, that's all. I mean PSP was set up and marketed in sort of an elitist way. Once you're pegged a certain way it's hard to break free. Just ask "kiddy" Nintendo.
Theres a lot more to this argument but I don't have time to go in depth.
I still think the ipod is overpriced, but it's still dominating the market. It can't be about price alone. It's hard to break pre-conceived boundaries, that's all. I mean PSP was set up and marketed in sort of an elitist way. Once you're pegged a certain way it's hard to break free. Just ask "kiddy" Nintendo.
Theres a lot more to this argument but I don't have time to go in depth.
kid_77 29 Dec 2005 10:10
14/25
DoctorDee wrote:
But for me it looks too clumsy and ugly for me to want to be seen with it while I'm on a plane or train.
I discovered this just yesterday. I was playing MK and could feel the scornful looks.
Jesus, isn't he too old for that toy?
You can probably get away with it in your teens, but I'm, well, not.
Whereas, with the PSP I get one over on those oh-so run-of-the-mill iPod and Blackberry users.
Wow, a PSP! That dude must be into something cool, like graphic design or web development!!11
It's worth the humiliation, though.
DoctorDee 29 Dec 2005 19:19
15/25
wanderingsoul wrote:
How many people will judge me based on the aesthetics of what handheld I'm playing?
I REALLY don't give a f**k what anyone else thinks. Ask anyone.
But I care what I think. The DS is just too god-damned ugly. There's no excuse for it. It's as if Nintendo purposefully made it fugly. A first year industrial design student would be able to make it more appealing in a couple days.
That said, it's still a damned addictiive in terms of gameplay.
But if they'd made it more attractive, they'd have sold more... it's simple. No-one oone single person has ever said of the DS, "Damn, that's toooo fine looking, I'm not gonna get one!", nor wopuld they have, even if it were very fine looking. But it's not, it's fugly, and some people have definitely gone "F8ck that ugly turd, I'm gonna get me a PSP".
warbaby 29 Dec 2005 23:29
16/25
DoctorDee wrote:
No-one oone single person has ever said of the DS, "Damn, that's toooo fine looking, I'm not gonna get one!", nor wopuld they have, even if it were very fine looking. But it's not, it's fugly, and some people have definitely gone "F8ck that ugly turd, I'm gonna get me a PSP".
And it is those people that are the raving idiotic lunatics that tell me I can play PS2 games on my PSP. The same fruit cakes who care about nothing more than "gwaaphics". The people who think they are having fun playing watered down Tiger Woods, while I lose track of days with Mario and his blessed Kart.
majin dboy 29 Dec 2005 23:59
17/25
i for one am looking forward to the DS re-design.i can see myself getting one.although i have a custum blue fire "skin" over my DS so GAME mite not take it.
Ditto 30 Dec 2005 11:34
18/25
DoctorDee wrote:
I acknowledge that the DS is a better games playing machine, in fact right after seeing it at E3 2004, we said exactly that here on SPOnG. But for me it looks too clumsy and ugly for me to want to be seen with it while I'm on a plane or train. And the PSP's multimedia capabilities - well the ability to play movies, at least - really do make the difference.
I wouldn't be seen dead in a public place with a DS. I'm quite happy to play the GBA but not the DS.
IMO the PSP is just better. It's much more expensive, but you can play MP3s, anime etc. And Sony appears to have excellent third party support: the good games will come in time (there's still nothing killer for me on the DS either).
A redesign would help me consider the purchase of a DS, but then if Sony cut the cost of the PSP to £150, I'd definatly got for the PSP. At the moment, it's just a tad too expensive.
Again I still stick with my original prediction before the DS's release which was that it will sell well at first before being overtaken by the PSP and will end the generation far behind the Sony system.
(I find it interesing that people are going on about how innovative the Revolution is - after having a careful look, I think it could turn into a gimmik with no third party support. If Namco release a Tales game on PS3 and Capcom release Resident Evil 5, then I think I would save and buy a PS3 rather than buy a Revolution with tens of Nintendo games similar to WarioWare and Mario Party - fun for a while with no substance.)
Joji 30 Dec 2005 14:53
19/25
I do think that this thing about playing consoles in public is interesting. Social acceptance is wanted but at the same time, we don't really care either way what people think. It's again a stark reminder that games are viewed as just for kids when you don't play your PSP or DS in public, and that attitude will remain unless try to buck the trend. Therefore play you damn things when and where you want and need.
Nintendo and Sony made these portables to be played anywhere. Personally I don't really give a flying f**k who sees me playing my DS, be it in the cinema waiting for the damn film to start, at the post office waiting in a fat line of people or on a bus or train. I am a gamer and I'm proud to say so. People can give all the weird looks they like, but if they don't like you for being who you are they can f**k off. People will always talk and pass judgement on others whatever you do.
I'll have the same kind of attitude if I'm using my mp3 player, reading a book or that PMP I'm due to buy soon to watch my anime on the move.
Each to their own, but I'm not gonna not have fun because gaming is considered not normal or widely accepted.
Pardon my f words but it had to be said. The moment you crumble under scary looks and grumbles is the moment you might as well give up everything you are to please others, and where will that end?
Sexy console or ugly console, I didn't spend money on these machines for how they look but to have fun when I feel the need. Don't let the public haters take you down, people.
Nintendo and Sony made these portables to be played anywhere. Personally I don't really give a flying f**k who sees me playing my DS, be it in the cinema waiting for the damn film to start, at the post office waiting in a fat line of people or on a bus or train. I am a gamer and I'm proud to say so. People can give all the weird looks they like, but if they don't like you for being who you are they can f**k off. People will always talk and pass judgement on others whatever you do.
I'll have the same kind of attitude if I'm using my mp3 player, reading a book or that PMP I'm due to buy soon to watch my anime on the move.
Each to their own, but I'm not gonna not have fun because gaming is considered not normal or widely accepted.
Pardon my f words but it had to be said. The moment you crumble under scary looks and grumbles is the moment you might as well give up everything you are to please others, and where will that end?
Sexy console or ugly console, I didn't spend money on these machines for how they look but to have fun when I feel the need. Don't let the public haters take you down, people.
warbaby 31 Dec 2005 00:14
20/25
I agree with Joji on his whole thing... but the whole aesthetic arguement is a hypocritical one. Gaming in public is seen as a negative thing unless your a 9 year old with a Game Boy. And as far as females go, I am willing to bet that you won't get very far into a conversation with one while holding a portable gaming device of any kind. Sure the PSP may look quite a bit better than the DS, but you are still playing video games in front of that hot chick with the mini skirt on the bus. At this point its like giving Michael Jackson botox.
DoctorDee 31 Dec 2005 08:21
21/25
warbaby wrote:
And as far as females go, I am willing to bet that you won't get very far into a conversation with one while holding a portable gaming device of any kind.
My evidence doesn't support this. Twice while travelling on trains and playing on the PSP I've had quite attractive girls ask me about it, and several times while using it to watch movies at the gym.
I think most girls now know and accept that their boyfriends are going to ignore them in favour of video games most of the time. Some of those girls would prefer that their boyfriends did this in a stylish and aspirational manner, rather then in a way that made them look like six year olds.
Joji 1 Jan 2006 23:49
22/25
That's right, you will get girls asking you stuff because Sony marketed the PSP to also play movies. Movies are a more accepted medium of entertainment. If you are seen watching movies on the bus or train and you'll get looks and questions. If it were music you had on the other hand it might be harder to get there attention.
As much as I like girls I'd rather talk to them elsewhere than on public transport ride (I'd make the acception for a very long journey though). Plenty of other oppurtunities will arise to chat to girls too.
There's also the angle of people travelling. Everyone is more or less in their own world till they get to where they are going unless there's someone there you know to chinwag to. And if everyone seems in their own world and place, is it so wrong to loose yourself a little in a book, mp3 player or PSP/DS.
As much as I like girls I'd rather talk to them elsewhere than on public transport ride (I'd make the acception for a very long journey though). Plenty of other oppurtunities will arise to chat to girls too.
There's also the angle of people travelling. Everyone is more or less in their own world till they get to where they are going unless there's someone there you know to chinwag to. And if everyone seems in their own world and place, is it so wrong to loose yourself a little in a book, mp3 player or PSP/DS.
fluffstardx 1 Jan 2006 23:53
23/25
I'd like to add that, for the period I had my DS, I played it on the way to work a lot. The people most interested were kids, but parents also showed some interest as did general people. The problem mainly was that it's Newcastle and therefore it's full of Chavs. The students loved it.
majin dboy 2 Jan 2006 13:49
24/25
well i play my DS on the way to uni,and nearly always u can people whisperin, "oh,thats a DS" "touchscreen" "mario kart".etc.
kid_77 2 Jan 2006 18:32
25/25
majin dboy wrote:
well i play my DS on the way to uni,and nearly always u can people whisperin, "oh,thats a DS" "touchscreen" "mario kart".etc.
I can't hear anything through my headphones ;)