DS Lite production issues - Half of expected stock ships
Colour confusion in Japan as the US gets date. Europe waits
Hit the link in the text to see more Lite beauty
Nintendo Japan has confirmed that the DS Lite will go on sale on on March 2nd this year, though the three colours promised will not be available from day one. In an unusually informal announcement made on the official DS site, Nintendo explained that only the Crystal White version will ship at launch, with the two other unveiled colours, Navy and Ice Blue, to follow 'soon after'. The firm, reacting we understand to intense retail pressure, then dated the blue units for March 11th.
The news regarding the restricted shipment of colour variant DS models in Japan confirms news that Nintendo had been struggling with production of the new hardware. The Crystal White model was deemed the most desirable and hence saw manufacture priority. Japanese retailers refused to take pre-orders of any non CW Lite as of Tuesday, most stating that Nintendo was unable to offer adequate assurances of availability.
There were fears that Nintendo would push back the launch of the Lite until these issues had been resolved. However, retail sources speaking to SPOnG overnight confirmed that the machine will launch on time, though with about 50% the amount of units as was initially expected. Those with pre-orders are expected to have no problems come March 2nd, though anyone else looking to pick one up will be fighting for what was described to us as “...the slightest amount of unclaimed stock.”
Of the 500,000 units expected to hit retail next week, we are informed by senior and well-trusted sources that around 260,000 will ship day one. A further 200,000 units will then be made available, largely comprising the delayed blue units. A third shipment comprising around 300,000 units will land with Japanese retailers in the final week of March.
The US also enjoyed a DS Lite news boost, with NOA reconfirming its intention to ship the stunning little box of online glory at some point in May. A show-stealer at E3, with the console launching during the show and netting the firm double headlines is widely expected.
No news as to the European launch of DS Lite was available at time of press.
For a full run down of the Japanese press conference detailing the DS Lite, click here, or take a look at some explicit close-up shots of the sparkling new machine.
The news regarding the restricted shipment of colour variant DS models in Japan confirms news that Nintendo had been struggling with production of the new hardware. The Crystal White model was deemed the most desirable and hence saw manufacture priority. Japanese retailers refused to take pre-orders of any non CW Lite as of Tuesday, most stating that Nintendo was unable to offer adequate assurances of availability.
There were fears that Nintendo would push back the launch of the Lite until these issues had been resolved. However, retail sources speaking to SPOnG overnight confirmed that the machine will launch on time, though with about 50% the amount of units as was initially expected. Those with pre-orders are expected to have no problems come March 2nd, though anyone else looking to pick one up will be fighting for what was described to us as “...the slightest amount of unclaimed stock.”
Of the 500,000 units expected to hit retail next week, we are informed by senior and well-trusted sources that around 260,000 will ship day one. A further 200,000 units will then be made available, largely comprising the delayed blue units. A third shipment comprising around 300,000 units will land with Japanese retailers in the final week of March.
The US also enjoyed a DS Lite news boost, with NOA reconfirming its intention to ship the stunning little box of online glory at some point in May. A show-stealer at E3, with the console launching during the show and netting the firm double headlines is widely expected.
No news as to the European launch of DS Lite was available at time of press.
For a full run down of the Japanese press conference detailing the DS Lite, click here, or take a look at some explicit close-up shots of the sparkling new machine.
Companies:
Nintendo
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