DSi to see US and EU summer 2009 release
Iwata dismisses questions over the economy's impact on DS sales abroad
Nintendo's new handheld, the DSi, will likely see a launch in the US and Europe by the end of the summer of 2009, according to president Satoru Iwata.
The company will start selling the DSi in Japan on November 1 for JPY 18,900 (USD 192), in a move to boost flagging sales in the region. No plans for overseas releases have been detailed, but Nintendo's president did tell investors that the company had a time period in mind.
"Specific plans will be unveiled by our local subsidiaries, but an autumn or year-end launch would probably be too late," said Iwata, according to Reuters.
Iwata went on to dismiss questions over whether the gloomy economic climate was impacting on DS sales outside of Japan.
"With the business environment having changed this much, we of course need to stay alert. But so far I haven't seen even the slightest sign that overseas DS and Wii demand is being affected by the economy," Iwata explained.