It makes me wonder why does Nintendo always make their products available to Japan first instead of sticking to a worldwide launch. Could they actually be testing the waters in the home market to fine tune any bugs before the device and services associated with it are considered safe for an overseas release, or do they just want to hype up the situation so that when said hardware arrives in the US and Europe, even more sales will be generated? How about an even more sinister (although highly unlikely) scenario that sees Nintendo secretly controlling most import shops in the aforementioned continents, allowing them to make phenomenal returns thanks to imported units for people who can’t wait until the official regional release? Say (and think) what you want, but Nintendo will stick to its guns by releasing the newly announced DSi this November but has remained mum on when it will be going on sale outside of Japan.

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata did mention to reporters at the DSi’s announcement that this console will arrive overseas in 2009, although there was no specific time frame as to each particular market segment. Later in the same day, Nintendo UK mentioned that the DSi will arrive in Europe sometime in the Spring but unfortunately for those living Stateside, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime told us that the device would not appear in the US until “well into 2009.” Now ain’t that a bummer for those who want an upgrade?

It would be interesting to see just how the DSi will affect the holiday sales season next year in Europe and US, but it would be equally exciting to see the DSi make a dent in weekly hardware sales charts in Japan from November onwards.

Source: PC World

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