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Poll: DS Lite shortage still plagues Japan

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:17 pm PT

A recent ITmedia poll indicates that less than half of those who want a DS Lite have been able to find one more than four months after its release.

It may not be too difficult for US or European gamers to make a few phone calls, go for a drive, and return home with one of Nintendo's new DS Lites, but that doesn't appear to be the case in Japan. The results of an informal DS Lite poll by Japanese technology news outlet ITmedia were released today, and if their numbers are to be believed, Japan is still knee-deep in DS Lite mania.

The poll simply asked visitors who are in the market for a Nintendo DS Lite to answer whether or not they had bought one yet. Although Nintendo's revised version of the DS handheld system went on sale March 2, only 44 percent of those who wanted one said they'd been able to find one. Thirty-nine percent said they were still looking, while 16 percent said they had more or less given up.

However, given that Nintendo has pledged to increase production to two million units a month and is determined to deliver 10 million units by the end of the year, relief can't be too far off for the DS deprived.

62 Comments

  • Neoyamaneko

    Posted Jul 22, 2006 8:34 am GMT

    Not a new DS in stock at any shop I go to in Sapporo. Used ones are being sold on auction for 40 - 50% more than the sticker price. I finally score one and it has a FRIGGIN DEAD PIXEL!

  • 00Rambol00

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 5:18 am GMT

    sh** heads in the black market are to blame for this, i they should be punished in the most painful manner lol

  • 3leMenT

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 8:31 pm GMT

    now i have a boner

  • SonicKid_UK

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 8:56 am GMT

    Deja vu ala 360

  • Scammeleon

    Posted Jul 8, 2006 2:35 am GMT

    LordelX,
    " I think this shortage is being blown out of proportion a little. Perhaps Tokyo is experiencing difficulties, but out here in the countryside Nintendo is pretty reasonable about keeping the stock up."

    There's probably a fair few more people in Tokyo...

  • alwaysdeath

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 8:00 am GMT

    I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that all those Lites were stolen...

  • koreamanloves24

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 7:47 am GMT

    I just came back from Japan a couple of days ago and from what I saw, there was a good, consistant shipment of DS at SofMap which is a electronics store in Akihabara. With the whole shortage going on, I was lucky enough to get in line a pick one up with ease. It was a little suprising to see the store getting a big shipment almost three times a week!

  • diefreak

    Posted Jul 7, 2006 1:51 am GMT

    ps3 will be showing nice graphics but still wont be innovative. their motion sensor ability in the controller is a joke compared to the Wii's controller.

  • TPSISO9000

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 11:54 pm GMT

    As long as the PSP keeps selling out all this DSL stuff doesn't matter. C'mon, why is Japan so interested in a game machine that does something new and innovative when they can spend another $100 and watch high-def movies on a 4" screen. Am I the only one who said screw iTunes and threw away my $30 Creative mp3 player when I've got a $250 mp3player with a complicated menu system? Doesn't everyone want to buy the same movie in both blue-ray and UMD format? Forget all that, and you're N64 equivalent power. I want to play PS1 titles with only 1 analog stick!
    PS3 - $600
    Games - $60
    1080P hdtv - $5K
    PSP for connectivity - $200
    My wallet - $300
    = Wii

  • Tw0_Fac3_226

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 11:19 pm GMT

    I still havent bought me one yet I need to

  • Hoennhyruleguy

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:20 pm GMT

    Well, Japanese people ARE smarter... LOL

  • LordelX

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    Are people in Japan not willing to travel? I live a 100 km north of Tokyo and there are always a few DS Lites kicking around department stores here every few weeks. I think this shortage is being blown out of proportion a little. Perhaps Tokyo is experiencing difficulties, but out here in the countryside Nintendo is pretty reasonable about keeping the stock up.

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 3:44 pm GMT

    go nintendo you keep doin what you do

  • PSP-MONKEY

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 2:32 pm GMT

    wow. i saw a video on google and this guy tried to get 1 so he waited till the store opend and they had a new shipment but with only 6 ds lites

  • keldog

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 1:29 pm GMT

    Bought one used on Monday. Some guy had already sold his back to Gamestop. Saved $20 on a mint condition DS-L. No book or box, but both styli(?), charger, and no scratches.

  • SophinaK

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 12:05 pm GMT

    bravo nintendo.

  • rta

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 11:32 am GMT

    Didn't think that would ever happen. This dang critter is popular. 9 of my friends have gotten a DSL since release. Crazy. Before that I've only known 1 person with a DS.

    GJ Nintendo!

  • elite11

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 9:26 am GMT

    thats a shocker

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:04 am GMT

    LOL, it must be fun to walk around Japan with a DS Lite just showing it off and gloating; though you'd have to be careful and hold on tight to the strap it comes with, it sounds like they'll do anything for one.

  • cyber360

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 6:51 am GMT

    Well DS Lites are going well in my walmart, I went there early in the week, and then went back the day after to check if they had stock of some item. And that day before they had two less DS lites than the last time I checked. I see the stock depleting all the time here. And I am in a city of only 140,000.

    I feel sorry for japan, but I am glad nintendo made sure the shortages wasn't near as bad for the U.S. I was able to get mine real easiely when I was hearing of possible shortages the first week. I just called games stop, and they told me to go ahead to pick one up.

  • MC_Peepas

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 5:54 am GMT

    I want that beautiful dark blue one.

    Great to see Nintendo kicking ass.

  • Arkasai7

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 4:38 am GMT

    Had to wait a week for BestBuy to get a new shipment, but I've been a proud DS Lite owner, for a couple'a days now.

  • jimmyong

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 3:21 am GMT

    let's think when will DSL hit 10 Million of sales?

  • Gaming_Prince

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 12:51 am GMT

    i so wish i could get mine from japan due to the Ice Blue, but importing is just not worth it to me.

  • jeffwulf

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 12:40 am GMT

    I bought the last one from our last shipment at the target I work at. Its mine! Mwahahahahaha!

    Well worth it.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 10:53 pm GMT

    I'm glad that I don't live in japan

  • joyer

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 10:50 pm GMT

    knee deep aye lol i dunno how long it will last... but ninty needs to upping production

  • harry2k5

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 10:44 pm GMT

    thats awesome i am still waiting to get mines aswell

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 9:24 pm GMT

    Wow.. it's really popular! I hope all these people will not despair and still will get one... it's worth the wait!

  • f1l200

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 8:36 pm GMT

    that sucks i got mine today
    no wait or anything

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 8:28 pm GMT

    that sucks...i got mine a few days ago

  • cloudzerovii

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 8:04 pm GMT

    hmm... shortages.. that will not be for long.. this is nintendo we are talking about!!!!! *cant wait for final fantasy III on the nds hehe*

  • MrPuzzlez

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 8:01 pm GMT

    Zeke_Link... you are soooo wrong! Yet, I KNOW it felt so right!!

  • meimnobody

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 7:06 pm GMT

    The Japanese hunger for the DS and Lite is so strong there are signs in Japanese stores advertising the US releases as well as European.

    Why do you think the lite took so long to release elsewhere? The Japanese were devouring the entire stock.

    Last time I heard DS lites were selling for 400 bucks at auctions in Japan. The trade in price was greater then the retail price.

    DS games are also top sellers both at the used market and brand new.

    Expect the hunger for the Wii to be all consuming as well.

  • iceyyyy

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 7:00 pm GMT

    They deserve the shortage , they got the most supplies of the Lite, yet and still not enough??...

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 6:49 pm GMT

    they still want em?

  • juvinwo1

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 6:34 pm GMT

    Sony, Microsoft, THIS IS HOW YOU RUN A BUSINESS AND MAKE FANTASTIC PRODUCTS. hehehe GO NINTENDO!!

  • Redsyrup

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 5:17 pm GMT

    This is called momentum, nintendo is my second girl friend.

  • mhder

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 4:25 pm GMT

    blackIceJoe
    People in Japan most really like the Lite I am fine with my old one.I really see no need to waste more money on a brand new system when my old one works fine.

    Played in public, played on trains - carried everywhere, the Lite makes it that much easier.

  • faridmon

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 4:11 pm GMT

    they still need more DSlites???????? when is this going to end?
    GO NINTENDOOOOOOOOOOOO

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:53 pm GMT

    DS still going strong in Japan. Go Nintendo.

  • hmsmichaelot

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:49 pm GMT

    like i care.....FRANCE WINS

  • Blazer88

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:33 pm GMT

    Er,..no all of Japan doesn't have one as it clearly says near the top that less then half that want one,own one

  • xbox_gamer1

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:15 pm GMT

    Its like everybody in Japan owns one.

  • sergioalb64

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:04 pm GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • sergioalb64

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 3:04 pm GMT

    Haha! I got one of theirs; I imported

  • Mechakucha

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:52 pm GMT

    Wonder if they're importing American DSes like we imported Japanese 360s.

  • hurdleguy

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:52 pm GMT

    Yeah. Sucks for them.

    *strolls down the street and buys DSL*

  • kinncolts

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:50 pm GMT

    nice nintendo is doing good..but they better replenish supply or else people r going to get mad and give up...

  • Yagami-Iori

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:47 pm GMT

    DSlite is greatness and Japan realizes this

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