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Hundreds Line Up For DS Lite

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the that's-a-lot-of-shiny-plastic dept.

The launch of the newest version of Nintendo's DS handheld has seen hundreds of Japanese gamers line up for the privilege of owning one. From the IGN article: "With such an early sellout, it should come as no surprise that retailers had to turn people away. IGN noticed a steady stream of people arriving at shops, seeing the line, confirming that the DS was indeed impossible to get, then leaving. Some got in line anyway, perhaps in the hope that a few extra units would be available at the end." Update: 03/02 15:46 GMT by Z : Gamasutra spells out that the DS Lite has sold out after only a short time on the Japanese market.

51 comments

  1. How can I abuse the tagging system? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want to abuse it like a red-headed stepchild.

  2. Take that by steveo777 · · Score: 1
    all you DS Negative Nelly's.

    Seriously, though. This is what a launch should look like in true form. And it's about time people lined up for one of Nintendo's products. They haven't seen a hardware launch like this... ever. I mean, the DS sold out in a lot of stores, but it took a couple of weeks in most cases. Now it's got the games. I can't wait for the new one to come out so I can replace my old DS which was stolen last summer...

    --
    This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    1. Re:Take that by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 3, Funny

      Luckily, I don't need to get a DS Lite, as I was able to steal a regular DS from some guy last Summer.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    2. Re:Take that by steveo777 · · Score: 2, Funny

      you bastard... I want my both copies of Fire Embelem back. I have unfinished business. And I never got to finish Castlevania to 100%! Poor Soma didn't get all the souls...
      be good to him...

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    3. Re:Take that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Japanese people line up in droves to buy something Nintendo made.

      It's only news when a bunch of Americans who think they are Japanese camp out.

    4. Re:Take that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seriously, this is how a launch should NOT look like. I live in Tokyo and went to the Yodobashi games store in Nishi-Shinjuku yesterday morning to get myself a DS Lite, which I've been looking forward to tremendously.

      Ok, there was a big queue. Cool, huh? But you know, at that time of the day there are literally hundreds Yodobashi employees doing exactly NOTHING but standing around in the shops waiting for the customers to come in the afternoon, so why do they only but up ONE stall to sell the DS Lite?

      And I'm pretty sure Nintendo knows quite well what the demand for that product is, so why do they not ship enough units to the stores? (Ok, this could be explained by not having enough manufacturing capacity, but I'm cynical.) I'd understand if they ship the exact amout of units they expect to sell (i.e. no surplus ones) so that the store runs out by the end of the day or something, but BEFORE LUNCH?? In a store that's open until 9pm...? Why's that?

      It's a really silly kind of hyping. And the bad thing is that people fall for it. I, however, am pissed off by it, partly because I didn't get my DS Lite, but mostly because Nintendo & the retailers wasted my time. And it's just plain stupid. I'll get one later tho, but I'll warez all the games for revenge! Mouhahaha!

    5. Re:Take that by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1
      Seriously, though. This is what a launch should look like in true form.

      Unless it's Microsoft.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
  3. What's the appeal? by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 1

    From what I've seen, the DS lite is only slightly smaller and slightly less in weight. How much is the price difference? From what I've seen, when Nintendo makes a smaller version of the same item (Like the GBA), they actually jack up the price. I'm not knocking Nintendo here, but it's not like the size difference between an iPod & and iPod Nano. So is there some kind of killer feature for the DS Lite that the regular DS doesn't have?

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    1. Re:What's the appeal? by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's got one hell of a better backlight, a smaller form factor, more powerful battery, and other tweaks.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    2. Re:What's the appeal? by Echnin · · Score: 1

      No: it's just way cooler. And the DS has gained enormous popularity in Japan, even though people were skeptical at first. I got one on the Japanese launch day, standing in my gakuran (standard black school uniform) with the pre-order receipt (which turned out to be pretty useless in the end) in hand at GEO. Ah, the memories... Of course, I mostly played GBA games on it for the first couple of months; low demand for the system originally came from the low amount of games available at first.

      --
      Lalala
    3. Re:What's the appeal? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      like.. $20 bucks more than the DS? $150? Not bad for 4 levels of back light that are MUCH brighter, a better battery, smaller size, weighs less, and has a nicer/longer stylus.

    4. Re:What's the appeal? by XdevXnull · · Score: 1

      The weight issue alone might make it worth it for some people, especially those who don't already have a DS. The original DS is kinda weighty for its size, and with the lid up, it additionally tends to be a little top heavy. After a bit of playtime with the unit's weight unsupported, my wrists and hands *hurt*. Good thing its so awesome in general or I'd kick it to the curb.

      --
      "I'm a Laver, not a Phyto[plankton]"
  4. So... by AnonymousPrick · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    has seen hundreds of Japanese gamers line up for the privilege of owning one

    So, it's a privilege to own a video game? I see. Like, it's a privilege to drive? I would abosolutley love to give up that "privilege"! I hate to drive and cars are just one big money pit.

    All these wonderful people giving me all of these "privilege", but I think I'll pass.

    --
    Saturday is April 1. Slashdot will be shut down. Sorry for the inconvenience.
    1. Re:So... by J.+T.+MacLeod · · Score: 1

      You have no inherent right to do so, which does, indeed, make it a privilege.

  5. Yeah, but... by PFI_Optix · · Score: 2, Funny

    It only comes in white. If I can't express my individuality by purchasing one of five uniquely-colored handhelds, by god I'm not buying it.

    --
    120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    1. Re:Yeah, but... by meringuoid · · Score: 1
      It only comes in white. If I can't express my individuality by purchasing one of five uniquely-colored handhelds, by god I'm not buying it.

      Good God. Are you a geek or not? PAINT IT. I know a guy who repainted his N64 controller in camo colours, very stylish. Or plaster it with stickers. Or transfers. Or carve your tribe's traditional markings into the case with a knife.

      You don't have to keep the thing exactly as it was when it left the factory, you know.

      --
      Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
    2. Re:Yeah, but... by wed128 · · Score: 1

      chill, i think he was joking...

    3. Re:Yeah, but... by PFI_Optix · · Score: 1

      Or carve your tribe's traditional markings into the case with a knife.

      Do Cajuns have traditional markings?

      --
      120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    4. Re:Yeah, but... by mikael_j · · Score: 1
      Don't worry, I'm guessing that within a week some casemodders will start posting step-by-step instructions on how to mount huge neon lights, loud fans and other stupid shit on it to make it look "cool" (oops, almost forgot to mention the "tribal"-shaped plexiglass window with a biohazard sign on it, you need one of those to make your $ANYTHING look stylish).

      /Mikael

      --
      Greylisting is to SMTP as NAT is to IPv4
    5. Re:Yeah, but... by empaler · · Score: 1

      Two new very indivodual colours should be available within a week, they just had some scheduling problems. Soon, you will probably be able to buy your DS Lite with very individualized official Tribal markings or a SNES/Super Famicom colour scheme, tailoured to your needs and desires.

    6. Re:Yeah, but... by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 1

      Do Cajuns have traditional markings?

      From what I could tell from the past week, it's either this or this. : /

      All the best to you.

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    7. Re:Yeah, but... by PFI_Optix · · Score: 1

      N'Awlins isn't Cajun, it's Creole.

      The real/original Cajuns are further north.

      Actually I've never lived in LA, but I'm a Cajun by genetics and by upbringing. I can even muster up the accent when needed, and my "AIEE!" is quite impressive. If you've seen Waterboy, the unintelligble assistant coach could have been modeled after one of my uncles.

      --
      120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
  6. well.. by solidtransient · · Score: 1

    Its a sexy beast.... with a brighter screen, of course.

    --
    firestream.net
  7. Hundreds, huh? by Errandboy+of+Doom · · Score: 1

    Well, it's good to have modest goals.

    1. Re:Hundreds, huh? by LordVader717 · · Score: 1

      So, how many people line up when you're waiting for a console to launch.

      Granted, it isn't unknown in Japan, but to have hundreds line outside one store is quite something.

  8. Already got one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It may not be 'lite' but it's good to play.

  9. Nintendo did this right by jshackles · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Microsoft I think could learn a good bit from this Nintendo launch. Reading slashdot before the 360's launch, you could see a majority of people saying "the industry is not ready for this..." and "it's only marginally better than the original xbox..."

    Then along comes Nintendo to show us what a successful launch is supposed to be like. Sure, there are some shortage concerns, but knowing the big N these will last a couple weeks AT MOST, not a couple of months! But the biggest suprise at all is that there is such a turnout for something that is essentially the same thing you could buy yesterday - only smaller and with a brighter screen.

    It's nice to see a game company like Nintendo actually understand what it's fans are after. I've known tons of people who wanted to try the DS but was put off by the sheer size of the thing. Now instead of being the size of an early 90s cellular telephone, we actually have something closer to the size of a first gen iPod. I say bravo!

    1. Re:Nintendo did this right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll be in Osaka at the end of March, any chance the stores will be restocked by then?

    2. Re:Nintendo did this right by llevity · · Score: 1

      So wait a minute, Microsoft needs to learn from Nintendo? What exactly makes this a success?

      Yeah, it sold out, but they only delivered a third of what was initially expected. So shortages and hard to get consoles for most people are what Microsoft needs to do? Didn't they just do that?

      Or maybe you're lauding them for their ability to polish an old product and resell it? DS Lite, all the random ports for the GBA.

      I might be an anomoly, but I'd rather Nintendo start making some new games.

    3. Re:Nintendo did this right by Frenchy_2001 · · Score: 1

      None.
      I was in Japan 3 weeks ago and it was already very hard to find a regular DS.
      The PSP was available everywhere, but the DS was sold out thoughout the Akihabara quarter. So I would guess the DS would sell even better...

    4. Re:Nintendo did this right by PyroMosh · · Score: 1

      In 2005, Ninteodo published 38 games in North America.

      Of those, from what I can tell, six were brand new games not based on prior franchises at all (Nintendogs, Trace Memory, Battalion Wars, Geist, Meteos, and Polarium).

      Of the rest, from what I can tell only three or four are ports of existing titles (Final Fantasy IV, Dr. Mario / Puzzle League, Donkey Kong Country 3, and possibly Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, which I'm not sure of).

      So last year, they had 34 never before seen games, and 4 ports. What's the problem? It's true many of the games were based on existing franchises, such ad DDR Mario Mix or Metroid pinball. But there never has been a Metroid Pinball before. It's not a port, it's a new game.

      I'm affraid I don't see why you're complaining.

      --
      Touch everywhere, even when inappropriate.
  10. On the contrary by empaler · · Score: 1

    He has every right, although he may not have the option or inclination.

    1. Re:On the contrary by masterzora · · Score: 1

      If it were an inherent right, Nintendo would have to send it to him directly. Ergo, privilege.

      --
      Remember, open source is free as in speech, not free as in bear.
    2. Re:On the contrary by voidphoenix · · Score: 1

      Since you have to pay to get one, one doesn't have "inherent right" to own one. Having one is a luxury and a privilege.

      --
      Excuse me, wtf r u doin?
  11. A line of hundreds of people in Japan? by empaler · · Score: 1

    That's what I call big news.
    I mean, it's only one of the most densely populated countries in the world, so an event liek this must be completely spark-tacular, right?

    Not that I don't want one, but seriously, this story is from a country so over-populated that they live in apartments so small I wouldn't have a dog live in one.

    1. Re:A line of hundreds of people in Japan? by Robaato · · Score: 1

      Sorry, I'm not following you here. Are you saying that because Japan is more densely populated, lines like this happen all the time? Or are you saying that it's only because the population density is so high that there were lines for the DS Lite? By that logic, shouldn't there have been similar lines for the XBox 360?

      If there's a correlation between high population density and the popularity of the DS, you certainly haven't demonstrated it. Please clarify.

      Oh, and by the way, are you saying that everybody in Japan lives in these "apartments so small [you] wouldn't have a dog live in one"? Have you ever actually been to Japan? I've been living here for the past six years, and I can tell you that that's a crock as well.

  12. Lik-Sang by dmauro · · Score: 2, Informative

    Lik-Sang has sent all their overseas pre-order customers and email telling them if they want to receive a DS Lite, they will have to wait a few weeks, and pay an additional $30. Please note that Play-Asia is only making their customers wait, but is honoring the original price. Too bad I ordered from the wrong place...

    1. Re:Lik-Sang by PhotoBoy · · Score: 1

      Bad luck man. Purely by luck I did order from Play-Asia this time instead of Lik-Sang, as I usually order all of my imports from them. But LS is getting very greedy at system launches, I remember they really jacked their PSP prices right up when it launched in Japan too. I suppose it's a free market and people are willing to pay, but still it does sting a bit.

    2. Re:Lik-Sang by dmauro · · Score: 1

      I didn't view it so lightly. It was extortion. They waited until I could not pre-order anywhere else before issuing their ultimatum: buy for more than the agreed price or don't get your DS. They will never again get my business.

  13. American Release by LinuxIdiot · · Score: 1

    Wish the US release date would be released :(

    1. Re:American Release by RyoShin · · Score: 2, Informative

      Considering that Nintendo has already gone through the FCC compliance tests for the DS Lite (an article with pictures was posted on Slashdot last month), I bet we're going to see a summer release.

      Chances are that they want to get it out before the Revolution (which seems to have a fall release), especially if the Revolution does feature some sort of connection with the DS (as the rumors fly.)

    2. Re:American Release by LinuxIdiot · · Score: 1

      awesome, I must have missed that article, thanks for the info

  14. Lite flash card lock out? by Is0m0rph · · Score: 1

    The question for me is whether Nintendo has locked out flash card units like the Supercard in the new DS. Will Flashme/wifime, etc. still work and can you overwrite the firmware still?

    1. Re:Lite flash card lock out? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I do believe we are in luck. "Supercard on Lite?"

      Very nice indeed.

  15. Why... by greyrose111 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why is it that when the Xbox sold out, everyone bashed Microsoft for their stupid and un-strategic launch, but when the DS-Lite sells out, people say "This is what a launch should look like"?

    1. Re:Why... by SpeckledJim · · Score: 1

      You must be new around here, etc.

    2. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There were all of ten xbox360s.

      Yeah it's an exaggeration, but you asked a stupid question. THINK YOU FUCKING MORON. THERE IS A REASON!!!

    3. Re:Why... by Jerf · · Score: 1

      'Cause they're most likely different people.

      Did you notice your UID is just shy of the million mark? Lots o' folk round here. (Not "a million", perhaps, but lots.)

    4. Re:Why... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was planned by Microsoft to have a shortage and subsequently be able to say they sold out because of demand.

  16. Score... by ASUSanator · · Score: 1

    I think the DS lite is a really good design, the original ds was a little tacky but this new one looks better. The only handhelds i have seen around of late have been the DS. Ohh and _one_ PSP held by some rich kid on release day.
    I will be buying a ds lite. Good to see it is going off :D

  17. Space, The Final Frontier... by larry+bagina · · Score: 1
    one day in the "geek compound"...

    mr. hemos: captain malda, i have determined that sco stories are bringing in three to five hundred comments a piece! think of the banner revenues!

    captain malda: captain to engineering!

    engineer zonk: engineer zonk here, sir.

    captain malda: mr. zonk... crank out some more sco stories!

    engineer zonk: but captain... Roland Piquepaille and * * Beatles-Beatles can't take much more! they're spamming them as fast as they can!

    captain malda: not fast enough, mr. zonk!

    engineer zonk: we need more submissions!

    captain malda: damnit, zonk, just make something up!

    lieutenant jamie: captain, we're receiving a transmission from an unidentified source.

    captain malda: patch it through!

    osm(over speaker): i want to open-source natalie portman's firm teen buttocks and pouting teen breasts!

    helmsman emmett: captain... look!

    an aibo approaches the compound.

    lieutenant jamie: captain, the transmission is coming from the aibo!

    captain malda: helmsman emmett... moderate it down: -2, flamebait!

    helmsman emmett applies the moderation. the aibo pauses but keeps approaching.

    osm (over speaker): your feeble moderation points are no match for the power of my modified aibo!

    captain malda: engineering, we need more power in the moderation system!

    engineer zonk: but captain... the moderation system is at maximum power!

    captain malda: i don't want excuses, zonk... give me that power!

    the aibo begins to move forward, a large antenna rises from the nose.

    captain malda: mr. zonk!

    the antenna starts to glow.

    captain malda: mr. zonk!!

    the antenna glows brighter.

    engineer zonk: captain! i have jerry-rigged the moderation system! i converted it to a bitchslap system!

    captain malda: helmsman, fire!

    helmsman emmett presses the fire button. just as an enormous comment begins transmitting through the speaker...

    osm (over speaker): star (as in hot young actress) wars. a story of tender love. it is a period....

    the transmission is terminated by the bitchslapping. captain malda relaxes.

    captain malda: good work mr. zonk!

    mr. hemos: captain, sensors have detected that yeoman portman was beamed off the ship... into the aibo!

    captain malda: lieutenant jamie, open a channel.

    captain malda: osm! return yeoman portman at once!

    yeoman portman (over speaker): blow it out your ass, dork! i want a real man! an open-source man! a man that knows how to caress my firm teen buttocks and suckle my pouting teen breasts! not a boy who has bad dreams and shits a lot!

    osm (over speaker, clearly ecstatic): hahahahahahahahahahahaha! i took a bitchslapping for natalie portman! hahahahahahaahahahahahahaha! come natalie, i will take you to quicktrip and woo you with a vegetarian burrito. i will then take you to see the buffalo and touch you.

    yeoman portman (over speaker): oh, open-source man! how my innocent teen heart has yearned for the tender touch of your open-source hand!

    osm and yeoman portman (over speaker): hooray!

    captain malda: cut that off!

    the aibo turns and disappears. transmissions continue beaming from the aibo and are broadcast over the speaker.

    captain malda: what the hell is the matter with that guy?!

    dr. katz: damnit, rob, i'm a teen-angst zealot, not a psychiatrist!

    captain malda (clearly infuriated): engineering!! where the hell are those sco stories?!!

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.