DS Winning War

[neotokeo2001]

New data released by Media Create has revealed that the Nintendo DS sold 1,852,000 units since release in Japan.

 

For comparison, Total sales of the PSP were lower by about 800,000 units, at 1,068,000 units. (To the disappointment of fanboys, this does not mean that the DS is "owning" the PSP in Japan – remember, the DS has been on the market longer.)

 

Here are the hardware sales in Japan for the week of April 18 - 24.

 

1. Nintendo DS - 96,191 units

2. PlayStation 2 - 33,080 units

3. PlayStation Portable - 33,004 units

4. GameBoy Advance SP - 10,820 units

5. GameCube - 8,329 units

6. GameBoy Advance - 422 units

7. Xbox - 112 units

 

Nintendo has shipped well over 5 million DS handheld consoles around the globe.

 

The five-million mark was actually passed mid-March, the company said, just after the console's UK launch, during which it became the fastest-selling console in UK videogaming history. After an initial two-day rush yielded 87,000 sales, Nintendo went on to ship 200,000 DS handhelds in the UK.

 

Nintendo said it was "on track" to meet its target and ship 5-6 million DS consoles during its current fiscal year, which ends 31 March 2006.

 

By contrast, Sony is believed to have shipped over 2.5 million PlayStation Portables so far, 2.46 million in Q1 2005 alone.

 

Here are the Top 10 Best Selling Games in Japan for the week of April 18 - 24.

 

1. Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song (PS2, Square Enix) - 217,000 units

2. Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (GC, Nintendo) - 102,000 units

3. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 3 for DS (NDS, Tomy) - 84,000 units

4. Nintendogs: Shiba and friends (NDS, Nintendo) - 83,000 units

5. Nintendogs: Dachs and friends (NDS, Nintendo) - 53,000 units

6. Nintendogs: Chihuahua and friends (NDS, Nintendo) - 46,000 units

7. Baseball Live 2005 (PS2, Namco) - 44,000 units

8. Rockman Zero 4 (GBA, Capcom) - 38,000 units

9. Mobilt Suit Gundam: The One Year War (PS2, Bandai) - 30,000 (234,000) units

10. Shutokou Battle: Zone of Control (PSP, Genki) - 29,000 units

 

Nintendogs looks like the next Pokemon. Wait untill it hits the US and Europe.

 

Numbers compiled from several locations.

[figgler]

Nintendogs looks like the next Pokemon.

 

 

Bet on it. These games are getting all kinds of hype. And no, not that one time only hype you read about on IGN a la length of playtime, "coolness", and cutting edge graphics with epic story nonsnese, but real genuine hype from real people because the games are so damn fun / addictive / appealing.

This is exactly the app DS needs to make people notice and crave it. Hell, this is exactly what the industry needs IMO - fun games that sell well and aren't based on the existing formulae developers are so afraid to deviate from.

[jeepnut24]

112 ....

 

Who says you need the japaneese market to be succesful in the gaming industry....

 

Anyways, on topic, the DS has been out quite a bit longer than the PSP. Didn't it ship around XMAS? We are talking 4+ months to 1 month... Pretty impressive on the PSP front Id say.

Edited April 29, 2005 by jeepnut24

[figgler]

 

Anyways, on topic, the DS has been out quite a bit longer than the PSP. Didn't it ship around XMAS? We are talking 4+ months to 1 month... Pretty impressive on the PSP front Id say.

846388[/snapback]

 

 

Not quite - in Japan the launches were practically simultaneous

 

NDS Dec 2 and the PSP Dec 12 as I recall

[jeepnut24]

Not quite -  in Japan the launches were practically simultaneous

 

NDS Dec 2 and the PSP Dec 12 as I recall

846395[/snapback]

 

Good, point, but then again, you all are ignoring the rest of the world anyway. We do buy quite a few consoles here in the good old US.

 

Lets see the world wide numbers, and the PSP hasn't shipped in Europe yet has it???

[figgler]

Not quite -  in Japan the launches were practically simultaneous

 

NDS Dec 2 and the PSP Dec 12 as I recall

846395[/snapback]

 

Good, point, but then again, you all are ignoring the rest of the world anyway. We do buy quite a few consoles here in the good old US.

 

Lets see the world wide numbers, and the PSP hasn't shipped in Europe yet has it???

846397[/snapback]

 

You're right and really I don't care about which is selling better, just clarifying is all. I'll admit that a big part of me is rooting for the DS to be uber successful, as I think it's just plain cool and the more people playing it, the better in my eyes. As for this supposed handheld "war" though I couldn't care less.

At this point there are enough of each machine out there that owners of either won't have to worry about discontinuation anytime soon, which is really all that should matter on a gamer level

[maibock]

If you've seen much Japanese television, you'd realize that it's not a good idea to compare Japanese sales to the US, or even the rest of the world.

[jeepnut24]

You're right and really I don't care about which is selling better, just clarifying is all.  I'll admit that a big part of me is rooting for the DS to be uber successful, as I think it's just plain cool and the more people playing it, the better in my eyes.  As for this supposed handheld "war" though I couldn't care less. 

At this point there are enough of each machine out there that owners of either won't have to worry about discontinuation anytime soon, which is really all that should matter on a gamer level

846406[/snapback]

 

I don't think either will be discontinued, I just fear that the DS is going to be replaced and forgoten because of a true Gameboy replacement. Supporting three platforms is a noble idea, but not practicle. Again, though, who knows whats going to happen. Only a few weeks till E3 and then we'll know enough. Personally, Im holding off on the Nintendo front for the new gameboy. The DS may be great, but I prefer 3D gaming and smooth control of 3D gaming. Short sessions of Tony Hawk, Tiger Woods etc... are what I want.

[n8littlefield]

Well, the bump in sales was actually a combination of Nintendogs and also the pink and blue DS's just came out over there as well. It's definately a good sign for the DS though. I think that Nintendogs will definately sell systems, and could easily be a Pokemon type of hit over here in the US too.

 

One thing to keep in mind too is that many sources are saying that the DS at E3 will have announcements that will be huge. Even IGN has been saying that they can't tell people the games they are looking forward to the most due to nondisclosure agreements.

[keilbaca]

If you've seen much Japanese television, you'd realize that it's not a good idea to compare Japanese sales to the US, or even the rest of the world.

846412[/snapback]

 

LMAO! YES! I totally agree with you there. They have some Strange commercials, and game shows for that matter.