I dispute the DS sold without software. Just because the gaming community wasn't gaga over the launch games does not mean they weren't selling the system.

Notice I said software likely contributed. But the games themselves did not sell the hardware. The hardware sold itself with the help of some software. As you yourself pointed out the DS lacked any real good software at launch. You couldn't prove that software sold the DS anymore then I can prove that hardware alone sold it. But I can prove that hardware was a deciding factor and definatly contributed a ton to the DS's sales.

I for example bought the DS based on hardware alone. I did buy Mario64:DS soon after purchasing the DS and played it but it was the dual touch screens that had me. Infact PictoChat was a huge deciding factor for me. I didn't even buy a game launch day I just played around with the touch screen and the dual screens had me day one.

I think it's funny that people think that 5 million is a stretch. The system will have a heavy launch window lineup of games thanks to Nintendo releasing dev kits to developers early, not late. For it to only sell 5 million to March 2011 tells me that they may delay the system in the US until 2011. I can't see Nintendo delaying the system past the holidays for Japan or Europe as they're the regions that are seeing the massive software drops.

The other reason it may only reach 5 million is that Nintendo will price the system at around $200 while dropping the price of the DS line across the board. Something like this (prices USD);


DS Lite $99.99

DSi $149.99

DSi XL $169.99

3DS $199.99

3DS sitting at $199.99 while selling the same as the DS did at launch will mean it outperforms it considerably as the original DS launched for $149.99. I think Nintendo will try to emulate the hardware run of the DS with the 3DS and avoid having it sell like the Wii. What I mean is that they'll give it a premium price at launch so that it doesn't peak too early in it's life, they still want the DS line to continue to sell and so they'll ease the 3DS in slowly.

Honestly though, I think it'll sell closer to 6 million than 5 million if it launches in November this year in all territories.

What was the launch price for DS?

Because if it's 200$ i know i'm getting one.

I'll buy one if you can turn the 3D off.

Nintendo can easily accomplish such a task.

You can.

I just think Nintendo is being their usual conservative selves when it comes to predictions.  Just because they have sold a bazillion DSs and Wiis doesn't mean they can assume the 3DS will sell as quickly.  It might very well, but they shouldn't assume that until they get some kind of indication of it's appeal.  Furthermore if the 3DS does have some unique or proprietary tech there may be limits on manufacturing rates in the early life of the system.

If you'd read the post above yours you'd have found that answer :P

I did but that's just speculation so i was wondering what the price were on release of DS :)

The reason I want a GBA is Pokemon.

The reason I want a DS is Pokemon.

Right now. I want a 3DS because of Level-5 games ( Professor Layton especially ) and Pokemon (I feel that the upcoming Pokemon B\W will have a exclusive functionality on 3DS).