@Mr Resetti
Game Boy Micro was released after DS was and GBA was already pretty much dead (interest-wise at least). And welcome to the forums.

I would say that market saturation is really reached in one aspect. I guess there are almost no gamers left in japan that don't own a ds yet. That means that proven franchises won't be able to move hardware anymore, only casual titles that appeal to different groups than those titles that are already out will be able to move hardware significantly.

But anyways, the DS will keep selling about 100k units per week for at least another year and pass the PS2 easily.

@routsounmanman

thanks for your welcome and.... yes you're right, DS was already out by the time the GBM made it to the market, but, still, didn't manage to boost GBA sales. 

Maybe a price cut could expand the market, but I don't think it will cause a major increase in sales,

unless...

@ nintendo_fanboy

you're probably right  when you say that every hardcore gamer in Japan already has a DS and so only casual gamers might be interested on getting it.

So, yes, maybe a price cut AND some casual gamer's titles could boost significantly up the HW's numbers. 

More than a redesign could, IMHO.

@Mr Resetti
A redesign would seriously boost DS sales. Look at what happened with the PSPLite and DSLite. Japanese love to change their old things with newer ones.

@Nintendo_fanboy
Let's wait until holiday period and FFIV and judge if there are any more hardcore gamers to yet pickup a DS.

Where the numbers sit after this holiday season will be very telling of the futures of the current market offerings. 

Provided nothing changes that is.  I don't think Nintendo would let the DS wane so there's probably something cooking.

Ponderations about DS market stagnation in Japan:

Japanese population: 127,433,494 (10th largest in the world) [2007 estimate according to wikipedia]

DS sales in Japan: 19,720,000 [VGChartz estimate as of October 17, 2007]

127,433,494 ÷ 19,720,000 =(approx)= ~6.46~ round to nearest tenth ~> 6.5

Ratio: 1 DS for every 6 or 7 Japanese people

Ratio of DS saturation converted into percentage: approx. 15.38% or 15.4% (rounded to nearest tenth) or 15% (rounded to nearest unit) DS saturation in Japan

Comparing percentage to a pizza pie (8 slices-14" Large) for picture-worthy sake: A whole slice and a sliver of another eaten by that DS glutton (in the subtractive sense). A whole slice and a sliver of another left by that DS glutton (in the remainder sense).

In terms of 20 oz. soft drinks: 3 oz. drank by the DS engorger. Lots of drink left. But make sure he didn't backwash before taking a sip.

In terms of Vegeta's "OVER 9000?!?" power level exclamation: a fighter with only about 1350 in comparison. Hardly a threat to the Prince of all Saiyans.

In terms of a fantasy L.A. Clippers seasonal win-loss record with win representing existing marketshare: 12W-70L (yeah I know fantasy right)

In terms of a girl letting you get to know her going by the baseball bases signification: About halfway in the run towards first base. Keep playing your cards right and you'll get the kiss. Use your breath spray while she's not looking so you'll be prepared.

In terms of Andy Warhol's 15 minutes of fame: You got about 12 minutes and 45 seconds left. Now's the time to get overexposed. Get your book and TV movie deal while it's hot!

In the terms of a 9 to 5 job: It's only 10:12AM. Not even time for coffee break yet. Gonna be a long day so you better ogle Dolly's figure to help get you through the day.

In the terms of the phrase "All that and a bag of chips": "All..." (processing the space between 'all' & 'that')

In terms of fans' calls of Sony Domination: Somewhere around Motorstorm or thereabout. Maybe a little earlier.

In terms of XBox Live juvenile insult barrage: About 3 minutes after logging on.

In terms of untidy gameplayers complaining about Wiis collecting dust: About 4 1/2 minutes after waking up.

In terms of Badunkadunk: Just "Ba". Haven't even started the dunkin' yet.

Get the picture now?

DS ain't nowhere NEEEEEEEAAAAR market saturation and this is just a industry lull in Japan right now. They're not as rich as they seem on TV, ya know. They struggle with the bills just like all the rest of us proletariat do around the world.

This won't last and November will rejuvenate this slump at least for Nintendo. DS has expanded the market and they will reach well over 1/3 of the population before this is all over and done with. Maybe even surpassing 50%.

John Lucas

I might have to give up on people ever understanding this, but I'll say it again anyway: Fall is a very slow sales period in Japan. The DS slowing down in the fall doesn't mean anything. If it sells significantly worse in Japan this holiday than the last then there is something to be concerned about, but people need to stop over-analyzing low Fall sales.

Ah Children I will now tell a story about John Lucas the Funny

I belive they can get it as high as 33% but 50% is Insane it is more than DS totals now