In Japan, the DS has landed in the hands of 10 million gamers, comprising almost 8% of the Japanese population. It spans all ages, even after being out for almost a year and half continues to sell out across Japan.
The Nintendo DS is one of those systems whose potential is largely ignored by American developers. We use it for games, and that's about it. In Japan, the DS has managed to become a utility device -- they have programs to practice calligraphy, to teach you to cook or to be a travel guide when visiting abroad. It's gotten to the point where there are classes to teach adults how to use the DS.
Worldwide the Nintendo DS has sold 40 million consoles. The decision to make the DS Lite definitely boosted it's popularity -- the original DS was just too bulky and unfashionable!
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