DS Lite Launches June 23rd In EU

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DS Lite Launches June 23rd In EU

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Monday May 22, 2006 @10:42AM from the see-you-guys-get-stuff-too dept.

Gamespot reports that the DS Lite will be launching on June 23rd in Europe. From the article: "Nintendo has announced that the DS Lite will be available in Europe from June 23 at an estimated retail price of £99.99 , inclusive of VAT, in the UK, and 149.99 in Europe. The console will be available in both white and black, with the latter colour exclusive to the territory."

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Re:Territory? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-22 10:59 · Score: 0

Umm, what territory? Is that some British slang for "only in Britain" or something?
And Bob's your uncle.
And again we get ripped off... by MoonBuggy · 2006-05-22 11:06 · Score: 4, Interesting

I said it about the PS3 and I'll say it again, why is it 150euro or US$130? Currency converter says that's US$190, almost exactly a 50% price increase. You can't even blame taxes, they vary from country to country but the price is fixed within the region. Why do they do this to us?
1. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Amouth · 2006-05-22 11:10 · Score: 1
  
  If it is inclusive of VAT then .. yea i see it.. that and Import tax on the product.
  
  it is expensive to live over there compared to the US.. (except wine & good beer)
  
  --
  '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
2. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Opportunist · 2006-05-22 11:27 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Point taken, I'll stay. Ok, I might pay more for my console, but at least the beer's better.
  
  A fair tradeoff, in my opinion.
  
  --
  We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
3. Re:And again we get ripped off... by cthellis · 2006-05-22 11:30 · Score: 1
  
  Just think! It takes me more than $60 to ship products overseas, most of the time... You're getting a bargain!
4. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Amouth · 2006-05-22 11:36 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  and personaly that is what matters.. because after the first 4 beers well... you really can't tell the diffrence between consoles
  
  --
  '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
5. Re:And again we get ripped off... by chicken_tonight · 2006-05-22 11:37 · Score: 1
  
  Don't be daft. They wont be shipped from the US.
6. Re:And again we get ripped off... by KDR_11k · 2006-05-22 22:45 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  A 130$ DS would get a 16% tax and 3.5% duty slapped on it, that ends up being 122 Euros according to Google. The remaining 28 Euros are Nintendo's "We don't like your country" tax.
  
  --
  Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
7. Re:And again we get ripped off... by KDR_11k · 2006-05-22 22:48 · Score: 1
  
  I can get a DS shipped for less than that from freaking Hong Kong using UPS. In fact I paid 33$ for that.
  
  --
  Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
8. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Yer+Mom · 2006-05-22 23:14 · Score: 1
  
  More likely a "this is what you get for speaking so many different languages" tax.
  Translators cost money, and take time to do their stuff (which still doesn't excuse taking about two years to come up with a European release of Animal Crossing on the Gamecube, mind...)
  
  --
  Never mind Spamassassin. When's Spammerassassin coming out?
9. Re:And again we get ripped off... by KDR_11k · 2006-05-22 23:54 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe if Nintendo actually bothered with translating the voicework as well. The average PC game has EVERYTHING translated and they don't charge anything extra. I don't see how they can say it costs more to translate Mario than freaking Civilization. Also the DS ships with all languages included even in Japan.
  
  --
  Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
10. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-23 00:41 · Score: 0
  
  In Spain we are sending protest mails to nintendo, i recommend you to do the same.
  How can be more costly here, this is an abuse. The change is not only dolar= euro. A college student with several years of experience does not arrive at 1000 euros, and the prices here are more expensive than in the EU.
11. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-23 01:16 · Score: 0
  
  Surface mail China -> UK for something small and fairly light like a boxed DS is much, much less than $60. And Nintendo can ship them for even less, they can fill a cargo container with them, the shipping is probably only a few dollars per unit. Plus shipping China -> US adds a similar amount to the price.
  
  The difference is partly taxes, partly the cost of retail in the UK (running a shop is more expensive, land, taxes and salaries all cost more), and partly the fact that we accept higher priced goods. Few people in the US would pay $200 for a DS, whereas the £100 I paid seemed like a good deal to me.
12. Re:And again we get ripped off... by grumbel · 2006-05-23 02:33 · Score: 1
  
  Prices in the US are given without taxes, prices in the EU with taxes. Also the EU laws force two year warranty on all kinds of electronic products, which US law does not, which also increases the price a bit. There are also other laws that require manufactors to take their electronic products back to recycle them and such. Not sure how each of them exactly affects the price, but they certainly do to some degree leading to the $ == EUR price tags in the end.
13. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Blinocac200sx · 2006-05-23 02:43 · Score: 0
  
  Hey, at least yall get some cool cars. None of the good models make it to the US.
14. Re:And again we get ripped off... by codemachine · 2006-05-23 04:46 · Score: 1
  
  Then again, you can't really tell the difference between the beers after the first few either.
15. Re:And again we get ripped off... by Amouth · 2006-05-23 04:48 · Score: 1
  
  then you my freind need some good beer.. you can most certly tell the diffrence between good beer and bad beer .. even when drunk.. the real question is ... do you care?
  
  --
  '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
16. Re:And again we get ripped off... by codemachine · 2006-05-23 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  The fact that US currency is tanking doesn't help the pricing in other markets either. It seems that companies haven't been quite following the exchange rate when pricing items in Europe.
  
  Canadians have know the benefit of having a lower currency for a number of years (99c price point for iTunes in both CanD and USD benefits Canada). However, that may change, as the Canadian dollar starts approaching parity with the USD.
17. Re:And again we get ripped off... by blackdragon7777 · 2006-05-23 05:11 · Score: 1
  
  There is such thing as high quality beer in America. There are tons of microbreweries around the country that make beer that is the same quality that you find in Europe. Just don't go with a beer that's sold nationally (except maybe Sam Adams) and you're likely to find better beer.
18. Re:And again we get ripped off... by hords · 2006-05-23 08:30 · Score: 1
  
  and personaly that is what matters.. because after the first 4 beers well... you really can't tell the diffrence between consoles
  
  Can't much tell the difference between friend and enemys either!
  
  Warning: This link contains pictures of women is circumstances that slashdot users may not be used to seeing ;)
Re:Territory? by Fred+Or+Alive · 2006-05-22 11:25 · Score: 1

I think it's more talking about Europe as a whole, rather than Britain, but yes. I'm not sure if it's that unusual to use "territory" to indicate a region or area, but I'm English.

Anyway, suspiciously similar colour schemes to both the current generation of iPods and the PSP (the white model was released over here a couple of weeks ago).

--
10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU "; 20 GOTO 10
Re:Territory? by ZombieWomble · 2006-05-22 11:36 · Score: 3, Informative

"Territory" is commonly used to denote the regions of release which games are typically separated into - the big ones being Japan, the US, and the UK/Europe (sometimes the last two go together, sometimes not). I've seen it used in both English and American publications quite a bit, it's pretty much standard usage.
Re:Territory? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-22 11:36 · Score: 0

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=territory

Definition 1: "An area of land; a region."

Did you frequently fail vocabulary tests when you were young? Do still have trouble reading words with more than two syllables?
Exclusive colours by miyako · 2006-05-22 11:37 · Score: 1

The exclusive colours thing has always mystified me. Nintendo has always been particularly bad about it, releasing a console in some colours in one location, in other colours in a different location, and then once you buy one, they finally release it in the colour you actually want.
I have an original Nintendo DS, but I am considering getting a DS Lite because the original is a little bulky, but I will be rather irritated if I break down and buy one in a colour that I don't really care much for, only to have it released in that colour soon afterwards.

--
Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
1. Re:Exclusive colours by frosty_tsm · 2006-05-22 12:05 · Score: 1
  
  I had the same thought on the GBA-SP. I got mine in black, which is a fine color. Then they released one with an NES controller theme. Curse them!
  
  Unfortunately, I feel like I have to write it off as a gimmic.
2. Re:Exclusive colours by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-22 12:07 · Score: 0
  
  but I will be rather irritated if I break down and buy one in a colour that I don't really care much for, only to have it released in that colour soon afterwards.
  
  Here I am with a DS and a small income, I'm rather irritated that the new model bugs me as much as it does. Logic tells me that paying 150 more dollars for essentially a "cool" upgrade is retarded, but the little kid in me screams "I want it now!".
  
  Like buying that late model car. :(
3. Re:Exclusive colours by Kazzahdrane · 2006-05-22 13:45 · Score: 1
  
  I can empathise. I'd like a DS Lite but I don't want a white one (too much like an iPod) and don't much want a black one (attracting fingerprints like nobody's business). I'd really like a blue one like Japan got (and possibly the USA, not sure) but no, we get black and white. It's hard to complain though - it's coming out months earlier than most people expected.
It is the size that mystifies me by SmallFurryCreature · 2006-05-22 12:42 · Score: 1

A while back you had the whole PSP vs DS debate and the PSP was being slammed for being so big. But owning a DS Lite (dark blue from HK) the thing is only a few centimeters shorter then the PSP (width and depth being the same). Wich must mean the DS is the same size if not actually larger then the PSP. Especially considering the DS Lite can't fit GBA catridges all the way. They stick out a full centimeter.
So how fucking big is the original DS anyway? And why did everybody claim the PSP was to large?
Heavy yes, large not when compared to the DS.

--

MMO Quests are like orgasms:
You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.
1. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by miyako · 2006-05-22 13:13 · Score: 1
  
  I do not personally own a PSP, but I've seen them (actually, I've only ever seen 1 person who owned one, and that person worked at Gamestop and had pretty much everything because he got a nice employee discount), and they do look larger than the DS. The size of the PSP aside, the DS is definitely bulky. I got mine soon after they were released because at the time I had a family member who was in the hospital and I was spending around 15 hours a week at the hospital. I occasionally take it with me to school when I have some time between classes. For the most part though, I consider it way too bulky to take along in most circumstances. Even when I put it in my backpack it takes up a significant amount of room, and I cant imagine it to fit comfortably in anything smallter than a backpack, briefcase, or large purse.
  Of course, even with a more slimline DS, I can't really see the point in taking along a portable gaming system unless you have a long commute or something. I know that personally, I play my DS almost exculsively at home (I keep it by my computer, and play games for 30-45 minutes usually while I'm waiting for something to render.)
  
  --
  Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
2. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by timster · 2006-05-22 14:06 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  PSP: 170x74x23 (mm), 289cm3
  DS: 149x85x29, 367cm3
  DS Lite: 133x74x22, 217cm3
  
  The PSP, I think, is criticized for size because it has the largest single dimension of any of the handhelds, and that makes it look larger visually. I suspect also that the hinged aspect of the DS makes its width seem more appropriate, whereas the PSP, though thinner, seems like a solid thick brick.
  
  --
  I have seen the future, and it is inconvenient.
3. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by SmallFurryCreature · 2006-05-22 18:54 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah could be. It is just that when you hold them against each other they seem awfully close (DS Lite and PSP) except the DS is shorter, and a lot lighter.
  But you also added the volme and then the DS really looses doesn't it.
  I just find it funny then that the PSP got slammed for size and the DS did not. Hinged or not it shows you how prejudiced people can be.
  Here is another shocker, the Wii is cheap at 249 estimated price point.
  Oh really? Put a PC together of similar hardware, account for bulk discount and reduction for not being configurable to user specification and check again. Still such a good deal? Remember, Nintedo doesn't make its living selling consoles while say a laptop maker does.
  
  --
  
  MMO Quests are like orgasms:
  You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.
4. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-22 21:07 · Score: 0
  
  What exactly do you think Nintendo make their money from? Spinning straw into gold? Of course they make their money from consoles.
  
  Nor can you say "build a PC with equivalent hardware", because despite the bullshit that IGN put up, we don't know what the Wii's specs are. Most notably, we know nothing about the video hardware, but we also know very little about the CPU, nor do we know what RAM configuration they eventually settled on.
  
  I've not seen anyone suggest a $250 price point for the Wii, except a couple of journalists who really seem to have no idea what they're gibbering about. Nintendo seem to be suggesting that $250 is too high, so $200 seems more appropriate. Good luck even getting a motherboard and a CPU for that.
  
  The PSP is simply too large for a portable - the depth is OK, it's a little too tall, but it's just way too long. You certainly can't put it in your pocket, even if you didn't mind scratching the screen.
  
  To a lesser extent, so is the original DS. It is actually possible to carry a DS around with you if you have large pockets, or any kind of small bag. Carrying a PSP around is simply impossible unless you have a separate bag for, a trenchcoat, or don't mind carrying it in your hands.
5. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by Babbster · 2006-05-23 07:46 · Score: 1
  
  I just find it funny then that the PSP got slammed for size and the DS did not. Hinged or not it shows you how prejudiced people can be.
  
  I think there are two issues at work relating to this "prejudice." The first is that the DS has two LCDs and one of them is a touchscreen. While the PSP has a much larger screen, people will still still forgive a bigger size when they get two of them. The second issue is that the DS has more good games. The PSP gets cut no slack on any issue because there are so few games that people want to play - battery life, size, load times (my reason for not touching a PSP), etc. all get a lot more negative attention because the PSP doesn't have Phoenix Wright, Trauma Center, Animal Crossing DS, Advance Wars DS, Mario Kart DS, and more. Given the lead the DS has in this area, the PSP isn't going to generate a lot more positive feeling until the next (last?) price cut - for example, I'd consider picking one up if a PSP plus a minimal memory card (enough for game saves) could be had new for $200 or less.
6. Re:It is the size that mystifies me by davidhedbor · 2006-05-23 11:06 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, isn't Nintendo the only current console maker that actually does make money on their consoles right from the start?
Australian date by atomicstrawberry · 2006-05-22 13:07 · Score: 2, Interesting

Apparently the Australian date for the DS Lite is June 1st, which is very odd as that's before the US release.
1. Re:Australian date by ajd1474 · 2006-05-22 14:41 · Score: 1
  
  Yes for once we don't get screwed on a release date!! I'll be picking mine up next week ;)
  
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2. Re:Australian date by Anonymous Coward · 2006-05-22 20:44 · Score: 0
  
  yup preordered mine today at eb, next thursday, cant wait :]
3. Re:Australian date by Just+Some+Guy · 2006-05-23 07:43 · Score: 1
  
  Apparently the Australian date for the DS Lite is June 1st, which is very odd as that's before the US release.
  You Aussies always forget about the conversion rate; June 1st for you is mid-September for us. And don't get me started about how you always have your seasons backwards.
  
  --
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Simple: The DS actually *is* smaller in RL by LKM · 2006-05-22 20:00 · Score: 3, Informative

So how fucking big is the original DS anyway? And why did everybody claim the PSP was to large?

Simple. I can fit a DS in my trouser pocket (barely, but I can, it's about the size of the original GBA). I can't fit a PSP in my trouser pocket (it's simply too long), especially if you consider that you need to add some screen cover or a bag or something to protect the otherwise unprotected screen.

So a closed DS is quite a bit more compact than a PSP with a screen protector added.
Re:DS Lite launch by metamatic · 2006-05-23 03:26 · Score: 1

Dear troll, the DS Lite screen is better than that of the original DS. It's only the casing that's smaller.

--
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
Regarding beer by aliquis · 2006-05-23 05:34 · Score: 1

Also you don't have to drink beer in plastic cups in Europe ;)
We always get the good stuff last by aliquis · 2006-05-23 05:37 · Score: 1

And they wonder why we like to pirate so much... (since it true for games and stuff aswell)

Anyway, I'll get mine the first day or so :)

But Nintendo should really give me the gods early, I hate this waiting, and if the price is comparable to lik-sangs I could have got it a long time ago :(
Re:DS Lite launch by Bulletz26 · 2006-05-23 08:06 · Score: 1

Apparently you have never heard of a little company called Apple. They've been doing the same thing with their iPod for years now... do you think they are losing money?

Fact of the matter is, re-releasing the same hardware with updated looks, better portability, and improved features is a proven business strategy, and generates you more revenue for essentially the same exact product.

Not to mention, the DS Lite surpasses the original by leaps and bounds in just about every way; durability, weight, form factor, screen brightness, battery life, cosmetics, ect. I actually never bought the original DS because of the design, but I just had to import a Lite from JP, and I absolutely love it.
More than just size by KeiichiMorisato · 2006-05-23 11:55 · Score: 1

Actually, I recalled people complaining more about the battery life, the usage of discs, and the lack of games for the PSP, rather than the size. The only issue with size is comparing the Gameboy SP to the PSP. In that case, I heard people complaining about the DS too.
With regards to the price point of the Wii. Well, the price point is actually at $199.99 (most likely), AND the fact is that you call it "not configurable to user specification", but it's actually customized for a specific purpose.
So for $200, I can get a customized mobo, CPU, GPU, 512MB flash memory, I forget how many MB of that super fast memory they use, plus a specialized controller, built-in wifi, bluetooth, and other specs that I'm too lazy to go and look up.
I think that's a pretty good deal no? I'd be pretty surprised if you can get all those parts that will fit into the size of the Wii and come up less than $200. Nintendo can obviously manufacture the Wii for a lot less, but why would they want to sell it for less than $199 if they don't have to?
And I'm not sure what you mean by "Nintedo doesn't make its living selling consoles while say a laptop maker does"?????
Sure they don't make all their money on Consoles, but they don't sell them at a loss either. Why would they do that if they don't have to? If the market can support $199, especially with the other consoles flying up in prices, then why would Nintendo sell it for any less?