Well, loads and loads of gamers, all of whom had queued up in freezing conditions, skipping a morning of work to nab an early DS as these images courtesy of Impress GW illustrate.
Which somewhat contradicts the latest report from one of our favourite journalists Liz Morris. In her article entitled “DS Japanese Launch Disappointment” on Paragon Publishing’s [removed for legal reasons] website, Liz explains that there were “…only 30 people queuing outside the Bic Camera store in Tokyo's Shibuya district waiting for the doors to open at 7am,” and that “Things were even less impressive at the Tsutaya outlet, with only five hardcore gamers waiting to get their hands on the DS. In fact, the turn-out was so disappointing Bic employees in the Shibuya district resorted to walking around the local train station with signs advertising the DS was for sale, even to those who hadn't pre-ordered.”
So there you have it. Conclusive proof that the launch of the DS in Japan was a disappointment. Because, as everyone knows, two stores, not dedicated to gaming, in districts that aren’t Akihabara are always used as the barometer for Japanese videogame launch success...
Enjoy the images.
Which somewhat contradicts the latest report from one of our favourite journalists Liz Morris. In her article entitled “DS Japanese Launch Disappointment” on Paragon Publishing’s [removed for legal reasons] website, Liz explains that there were “…only 30 people queuing outside the Bic Camera store in Tokyo's Shibuya district waiting for the doors to open at 7am,” and that “Things were even less impressive at the Tsutaya outlet, with only five hardcore gamers waiting to get their hands on the DS. In fact, the turn-out was so disappointing Bic employees in the Shibuya district resorted to walking around the local train station with signs advertising the DS was for sale, even to those who hadn't pre-ordered.”
So there you have it. Conclusive proof that the launch of the DS in Japan was a disappointment. Because, as everyone knows, two stores, not dedicated to gaming, in districts that aren’t Akihabara are always used as the barometer for Japanese videogame launch success...
Enjoy the images.
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Comments
Shoryuken! 2 Dec 2004 14:13
1/8
Why hasn't anyone reported from Akihabara? I'm sure it was a different scene there.
FighterOfFoo 2 Dec 2004 14:48
2/8
Because Spong are the epitome of journalistic excellence, aren't they?
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Joji 2 Dec 2004 15:14
3/8
OUT OF TWO STORES, that's not a very good judge of sales is it, and after only a day or two. Think we'd have to look at some other reports first.
If Nintendo decided to sell DS at the eastern equivalent of PC World or Maplin, then you'd expect not very many people to buy if they don't frequent such stores.
Time will tell a different story a month down the line I hope.
If Nintendo decided to sell DS at the eastern equivalent of PC World or Maplin, then you'd expect not very many people to buy if they don't frequent such stores.
Time will tell a different story a month down the line I hope.
ryohazuki-san 2 Dec 2004 15:32
4/8
Joji wrote:
OUT OF TWO STORES, that's not a very good judge of sales is it, and after only a day or two. Think we'd have to look at some other reports first.
I'd have to agree with you on this Joji. I never think about getting games or consoles to that fact at a PC/electronics store. You get bet offers as for reward points and game vouchers at stores suchas GAME and gamestation if this doesnt also apply in Japan. The report is a distraction to the DS launch which i know for a fact is goin to be huge!!
SilverDogg 2 Dec 2004 18:00
5/8
one of tha pages saying that it went bad was ign. well, either ign is sonyloving nintendohating bastards, or they are just plain stupid. maybe both?
VideoGamerJ 3 Dec 2004 03:49
6/8
IGN is getting some bad feedback from Nintendo fans and now they have addressed it. What a mess. As for these figures, I think these are under exaggerated.
SPInGSPOnG 3 Dec 2004 16:42
7/8
VideoGamerJ wrote:
As for these figures, I think these are under exaggerated.
The figures are garbage.
No one in Tokyo buys electronics (on launch day) in Shibuya. It's part of the Japanese ethic to queue for hours in Akihabara to get the hottest new equipment, even if you could saunter into a store downtown and buy it without so much as seeing another shopper.
Koffdrop 4 Dec 2004 14:39
8/8
FighterOfFoo wrote:
Because Spong are the epitome of journalistic excellence, aren't they?
Hello, Foo. I love the cock.