I dont really think the DS will last too much longer. Maybe 2 Years, max.
What kept the PS2 going, and still going now, is a mix of 2 things that the DS simply doesnt have.
Firstly, backwards compatibility. The PS3 cant play PS2 games. You wanna play an old PS2 game you still have, but your PS2 is busted? Get a new PS2 on the cheap! It matters a whole lot, when there are over 1000 games to choose from. The 3DS can do everything a DS can
Secondly, expanded markets. The DS just simply isnt as popular in the new markets. India. Middle East. South America. Etc.
The alarming drop in DS sales from 2010 shows the problem that the console faces.
2010 - 20.6 Million
2011/3DS Year - 8.8 Million (Down 57%)
2012 - Will finish the Year sitting at less than 4 Million. Again down by close to 60%
The PS2 had and is having a much steadier decline since PS3 release. Seeing as we cant see sales on VGC, lets look at FY totals.
FY 05 - 16.2M
FY 06/ PS3 WW - 14.2M
FY 07 - 13.7M
FY 08 - 7.9M
FY 09 - 7.3M
FY 10 - 6.4M
FY 11 - 4.1M
Its a much steadier decline, which will continue for FY 12 no doubt. The question is, how low does it have to go until Sony stop it completely? If its still a profit maker, then why stop it?
