The remodelled Nintendo DS Lite went on sale in Japan yesterday, and literally flew off the shelves. Shortages of the original DS have meant many Japanese retailers have been resorting to importing units for sale, or even selling pre-owned machines for more money than the cost of a new one!

Whilst production problems meant that the Ice Blue and Enamel Navy (pictured) versions of the console will not be available until next week, the Crystal White version has sold extremely well. Whilst not quite a sell out, it seems that Nintendo will need to send in new stock very soon. Nintendo’s original shipping target of 500,000 units was obviously affected by the lack of availability of the other two colours, but they still hope to ship a million of the new machines throughout March.

Rumours suggest that the west could be seeing the DS Lite sooner than originally expected as well. There is a mooted May release in the US, with a European release possible shortly afterwards.

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