Analyst says that weak Japanese sales of Nintendo’s handheld will see second hardware revision before the end of the year
Nintendo has a history of refining its hardware offerings, and leading games analyst Michael Pachter has, on the back of the firm’s strong financials, predicted that the platform holder’s world-conquering DS could see its third incarnation hit retail before the year is out.
"We think that the timing of a new product introduction will depend upon the sales profile for the DS, and believe that lower than expected DS hardware sales could trigger an earlier launch for the new device.
"DS sales are solid worldwide, but are weak in Japan, leading us to expect an introduction of a new device in Japan before the end of the calendar year."
Elsewhere in Pachter’s notes, he heaps praise on the firm for what he calls its “flawless” execution of its next-gen roadmap: "We expect to see a large portion of the increase in Wii monthly production shipped to the US market, and believe that Nintendo is well-positioned for dramatic software sales in that territory over the balance of the year.
"Similarly, we think that the lion’s share of the expected 28 million DS hardware units shipped during the fiscal year will land in the US and Europe, and we expect to see strong software sales in those territories."
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Comments
I highly doubt it
It really doesn't make sense for a new ds yet it still is pretty strong. I don't expect a new ds until the end of 2009 or the start of 2010.
Re: I highly doubt it
@andy: agreed. It would be a waste although Nintendo have made stupid moves before. More Brain Training came out when the first one was still selling very very strong and ended up just confusing a lot of customers as they didn't even realise there was two of them out.
A new colour would make sense and maybe a new add-on type thingy like the browser would be ok but a new revision seems a bit overkill unless the improvements are dramatic. A more colourful screen doesn't count.
Re: Re: I highly doubt it
Mr Pacther's wild speculation on the industry to invigorate either his private portfolio of stock or to encourage a lagging month for his business ??
Anyone challenged his authority on the subject of gaming?
Re: Re: Re: I highly doubt it
Patcher is Nostradamus
seems pointless
why bother unless it had some new radical changes like video playback, built in browser, motion sensitive or camera built in. I'm happy with mine and my r4ds thank you very much
Re: seems pointless
you should track this Ant dude down an have him arrested for using the R4. its people like him that this industry don't need.
If people use this cart there will be no money for people to publish the games in the future. they dont realise how much harm they are doing to the industry,
IDIOT!
@ Ant
So you have an R4 device??? Does that mean you cant afford games? This made me think of you:
People like you don't have the right to post on here. Hell, I even hold a Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo fanboy in higher regard than you.
Jypo.
Re: @ Ant
I agree with the previous two comments completely. The only thing worse than a fanboy is a thief.
R4 knee-jerk reaction?
Was just gonna say, why bother releasing another DS, now that veryone and his dog now owns one? Unless its the pretty colours, or they have found a way to manufacture it even cheaper? If it is a "R4 beater" they have left it a bit late what with the millions of handhelds that can already run it eh?
Re: R4 knee-jerk reaction?
Calling someone with an R4 a thief is a pretentious oversimplification. Having enough money to be able to thrive in a consumer society doesn't make someone an expert on morality. Nintendo makes more money when you buy a DS and an R4 than if, unable to afford the atrocious prices of the games, you buy nothing at all. I live in a country where the average salary is about $100 a month. There are various reasons why you should not cast a blanket label over everyone with an R4 as being a thief.
So that I am not entirely guilty of steering this thread off topic, I want to say that I hope a new DS would have a better card. I want more, faster sprites without sacrificing the responsiveness of the touch screen. That would make a Lost Magic sequel sooooo cooooool, and we could also start wishing for a Diablo port.
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