RUMOR: DSi Hits North America on April 4
- Scribbled on January 14th, 2009 by Jonah Falcon
- Filed in Nintendo DSi, Release Date(s), Rumor Mill
IGN is reporting that several sources “close to Nintendo” are telling them that the Nintendo DSi will be hitting North American shores sooner than expected: April 4.
DSi released in Japan last November and presently retails in the homeland for 18,900 yen ($211 USD). More than a million gamers purchased the system through December 2008, according to overseas data tracking services. DS Lite, meanwhile, sells in Japan for 16,800 yen ($188), a cost difference of almost $25. If our sources are to be trusted, the price divide between the two systems in America would be much wider, as DS Lite currently retails for $129.99 stateside, approximately $50 cheaper than DSi’s alleged U.S. price point.
In contrast to the Japanese market, where penetration of DS Lite has peaked, Nintendo of America may be planning to market DSi alongside the still-popular DS Lite, which would at least explain the different price points: one version for casuals and another for the core.
Will you be picking up the next generation of Nintendo DS, or will you stick with the old handheld which allows you to play GBA games?
February 19th, 2009 at 1:00 am
[...] for a little while now, but on April 5th it will be available in the United States too, as was rumored a month ago. The Nintendo DSi is the next iteration in Nintendo’s best selling handheld gaming [...]