Get ready to import: DSi not to reach North America until 'well into 2009'

by David Hinkle { Oct 2nd 2008 at 12:31PM }

With the Japanese market seeing the release of Nintendo's new DSi handheld later on this year, what could be stopping Nintendo from bringing the device over to North America? Localizing all of the cool software that's available on the thing? Sure, that takes time, but not that much time. So, what is it? The incredible popularity of the DS Lite, says Reggie!

The DS Lite is on track to sell 22% more units than it did last year, says Reggie. Because of the incredible demand, we won't get the DSi until "well into calendar year 2009" Our suggestion? Get ready to import!

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

Tags: dsi, import, nintendo-dsi, north-america

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michael @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:58PM

What better way to thank it's loyal customers then to flip them the bird and tell them to wait. seriously, why not just phase out production of DS lites as they did the phat, and then launch the DSi while at the same time reducing price to the lite, you'd get a rush of people buying the DS lite to tide them over until they could afford the brand spankin new hotness.

BlackDS @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:58PM

My guess is that The DSi is coming in Spring 2009, probably near/or at the release of Pokemon Platinum.

This is just a lame attempt by Reggie to keep selling DS Lites. If he were to say the DS Lite is coming in March or April, then everyone would wait, and no one would buy the DS Lite.

BTW, those who don't like the DSi's battery life can probably wait for the DS Lite fire sales by retailers just prior or after the release of the DSi.

My guess is that the DSi will sell above the price of the DS Lite, so some people will still buy DS Lites after the DSi releases in North America.

Peace.

FantomRedux @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:54PM

As long as the system language can be set to English, thats probably what I'll do. Lets just hope Play Asia gets a decent stock in :)

RPG @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:36AM

Why NOT get rid of the old DS Lites by selling them at full price? That's better business sense.

Deona @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:13PM

I'll just wait. :) I'm not in that much of a hurry to get a new DS, even though I still have the old DS.

Risingsun @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:28PM

I bet we get it around the same time as Europe. Spring 2009

RupeeClock @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:42PM

Now hold on, what if we do import?
I doubt there will be an english option like on the DS/Lite, and software downloads would be region locked just like the Wii, wouldn't it?

I'm going to wait until it hits America or Europe because of that.

A lot of us use Flash Carts as well, not necessarily for piracy, but for personal backups and homebrew, will our trusty R4's and Cyclo's work on the DSi?

Eh, time will tell, it comes out next month. :)

thesimplicity @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:49PM

That's what I'm thinking as well... not the flash cart stuff (I'll still have my old DS to do homebrew on), but the region lock. What's the point of importing a console if the US DSWare store won't be available until 2009? And then you won't even know if you can access it. Using the VC on an imported Wii is a major pain, I can't imagine this will be any different.

I'm going to have to wait this one out.

naisatoh @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:43PM

I'm probably in the minority, but I'm actually glad the DSi isn't coming out until next year. Having just purchased a DS Lite a couple months ago, I'm not ready to invest upwards to $200 for an imported DSi. And now that the GBA slot is going to be removed, it'll give me some motivation to finally complete those games I've been putting off.

With this wait, I'll be able to watch the Japanese market and determine whether the features truly justify the purchase. November isn't too far off, and importing the DSi may end being an impulse buy that I'll later regret.

That being said, I'm still very excited about this announcement.

David Black @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:45PM

If you go on IGN and read the DSi specs as compared to the DS, one thing jumped out at me. In addition to playing DS titles it will also a play "DSi titles" which can only mean that they will begin introducing new carts that will leave us DS lite & phat owners out in the cold...

NetOperator Wibby @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:01PM

Hmm, good point. Besides, development of these games will take some time too. I did think about merely changing the language but after looking at everything the DSi has to offer I highly doubt it would be that easy.

monogatari @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:07AM

That's exactly how I feel. If there are DSi exclusive games, then DS and DS lites would be obsolete.. It's much wiser to wait for the new one, if you haven't got a DS already.

I've been craving for a DS lite for almost a year now, but sudden expenses always leave me without enough money (college, sigh). I've been waiting for a year, what difference would several months make (provided that they are coming out in early 2009)? Besides, new color may be released by then, and we'll have reviews and comments before we decided to spend $180 on a new console. I'd suggest we wait until the rush die down a little. Price will drop when the demand drops.