Nintendo DS to launch in North America before Thanksgiving!

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Nintendo DS will launch in North America in late November, according to unconfirmed reports quoting publishing sources at the Ziff-Davis Electronic Gaming Summit. Third-party publishers are reportedly "confident" that the portable will be on store shelves in North America in time for Thanksgiving and the traditional start of the US Christmas rush.

This seems to tally with what Japanese retail sources were saying in mid-July. At the time, this website [reported] comments indicating that the DS would launch in the US on November 11th at $179.95 (€145) following a November 4th launch at 19,000 yen (€140) in Japan.

However, reports this week also had publishers citing concerns over the as-yet unknown launch line-up, with some worried that most of the system's big titles were expected in Q1 2005. Japanese retail sources in July suggested that 11 titles would be released by the end of 2004.

News source: gamesindustry.biz

Cont...

But, in the absence of official confirmation from Nintendo, for the moment it's impossible to measure exactly how things will unfold. The last word from the platform holder was that the DS would be released in Japan and North America in "late 2004". When it was unveiled at E3, the charismatic Reggie Fils-Aime told the audience that the system would be available in Europe in Q1 2005.

Recently, Nintendo has [confirmed] the final name, logo and design of the unit, and also unveiled a list of titles in development in Japan and the West, including big names from the likes of Electronic Arts, Square Enix, Capcom, Konami and others.

The Nintendo DS' main perceived rival, the Sony PlayStation Portable, is expected in a similar timeframe.

[i]Dice says: No doubt this will be a hit! But the question is, will you buy it now? Wait for the price to drop? Or not buy at all?

(3 replies) #1 Spamcan on 12 Aug 2004 - 14:20

For what the DS is $180 is not an unreasonable price. I think with some sort of SP trade in deal (which is bound to happen) I'd consider it. In the end it comes down to what the launch titles are, so far I haven't seen a whole lot on ether the DS or PSP that would make me want to waste the money quite yet.

#1.1 threetonesun on 12 Aug 2004 - 15:33

Yeah, I wonder how much off I'll get for my SP, considering there's, yet again, just like the original GBA, no reason to keep it.

For those of us who upgraded each time, the DS is closer to $300 by now

#1.2 nic on 12 Aug 2004 - 17:07

QUOTE

...yet again, just like the original GBA, no reason to keep it.

Am I the only one who wished I still had my original Nintendo Entertainment System?

#1.3 Spamcan on 12 Aug 2004 - 17:19

The NES is not backward compatable, the DS is.

#2 Keito on 12 Aug 2004 - 15:04

If Boktai and some Square-Enix games are the launch titles i'm SO getting this :p

(1 reply) #3 linux-gamer on 12 Aug 2004 - 16:01

November 11?

That's my birthday!

#3.1 Ryan92 on 12 Aug 2004 - 16:32

Damn..Comes out 1 day after my brithday...Ahw well, DS is looking pretty good with its impressive line-up of games and slick new look....Lets hope Nintendo Revolution is just as good as DS

(3 replies) #4 Dazzla on 12 Aug 2004 - 16:25

Oooooooooo yes, I'll be importing one of these on release day if Nintento offer the right wares

#4.1 threetonesun on 12 Aug 2004 - 16:37

Does it even matter? I can still play GBA games until the SP ones come out.

#4.2 Dazzla on 12 Aug 2004 - 18:52

Hmmm, waste $180 and ay GBA games, when I can do that with no money spent...

Nope, I'll give Nintendo $180 when I've got a decent game I can't play on my regular boring SP.

#4.3 threetonesun on 12 Aug 2004 - 19:03

But you know the games are coming, what difference does it make when you give them the $180?

#5 Veiva on 12 Aug 2004 - 16:40

Yes. I'm getting this.

#6 Phil Gates on 12 Aug 2004 - 17:18

wow this is unexpected. thats pretty cool.

(1 reply) #7 deiong15 on 12 Aug 2004 - 19:37

of course nintendo needs to get as many people to buy it before the death dagger of psp kills nintendo completely

#7.1 fLEx7325 on 14 Aug 2004 - 05:24

pssshh.... "death dagger"? we'll see

(1 reply) #8 tiddlie on 12 Aug 2004 - 21:11

Any info on pal / ntsc protection? How likely is it that a US DS will play UK games?

If i import one on launch in America for example (in time for christmas) will i be able to use UK games when they are finally released?

#8.1 Spamcan on 13 Aug 2004 - 05:53

There is no PAL/NSTC issue with the DS or any other portable system. This is only an issue when it comes to running a console system on a television set. What you need to worry about is regional lockouts. However, Nintendo has never used region protection on their portables and I don't see them starting now. You should have no problem playing games from anywhere in the world if you import.

#9 MRMIKE1 on 29 Aug 2004 - 03:31

yes grate!!! cost!!!!?

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