DSi Already Sold Out In Japan

Japan is hungry for the Nintendo DSi…very hungry, indeed.

Given the fact the DS is the best selling gaming platform in Japan, it’s not entirely a shocker to hear consumers there have already grabbed almost every last one of Nintendo’s DSi handheld. About 85 percent of the first shipment was sold within the first two days after the DSi launched on Nov. 1. Now, in less than a week, the DSi is completely sold out of the first shipment of 200,000 units.

Exactly how many of the first shipment of units sold were picked up by scalpers is a tough call, but a quick check of e-Bay reveals you, too, can be the proud owner of a new DSi for the outrageously non-bargain price of up to $500 U.S. dollars. The DSi’s bigger screens, audio playing capabilities, on-board cameras and editing program, as well as the new SD storage for game downloads are all quite enticing, but they’re not worth such an outrageous price. In Japan, the handheld is priced at 18,900 yen ($192).

Nintendo is expected to ship another 100,000 units to Japanese retail outlets sometime this week; the DSi should receive an overseas launch in 2009 sometime before the fall. Pricing and date information for a North American release are not available, though Nintendo has indicated the DSi may launch in non-Japanese markets by next summer.