First DS Commercial

Right on schedule, Nintendo has started airing a teaser commercial for the Nintendo DS system on Japanese television. The first ad has pop-idol Utada Hikaru, sporting a revealing dress, encountering the system for the first time. She asks "Is it okay if I touch it?". And with that, the commercial ends.

It's a teaser ad in every sense of the word teaser, but Nintendo Japan seems to be using it quite a bit. The commercial appeared no less than six times during Saturday morning cartoon (and Power Rangers) programming. Nintendo Japan tends to use this time frame to heavily market its products.

We have a feeling that Nintendo will have more detailed ads as the system's Winter Japanese release approaches. That's right, winter. The ad confirms that the DS will arrive to Japan in Winter, which suggests the previously rumoured December release period for Japan is correct (the winter game season starts in December and continues through February).

Video: Nintendo DS Commercial