TOKYO--New hues is good news for Nintendo. With the release of the colored DS models, sales of the handheld are better than ever in Japan. According to sales data obtained by Dengeki Online, Nintendo saw its DS sales rise more than twofold during the week of March 21 to March 27. Sales for the week were 54,000 units, compared to the previous week's sales of 21,000 units.

Nintendo released its new Graphite Black and Pure White color models of the DS on March 24. The company will also be releasing two additional tinted models on April 21--Turquoise Blue and Candy Pink. New colors don't mean a new price. The cost remains 15,000 yen ($139). Nintendo has not announced plans to release colored DS models in the US.