The Nintendo DS™ console will officially launch in the US within less than 24 hours from now. We've been lucky enough to pick up our very first sample unit and a copy of Super Mario 64 DS today to post a couple of quick impression as well as an updated shipping schedule.

As common for most Nintendo™ consoles, the DS packing tightly fits together the DS handheld along with a power supply, thumb strap (for operating the touch screen), an additional Stylus, instruction booklet, health warnings as well as the Metroid Prime Hunters demo.

When turning on the unit you will be able to select your preferred language (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Japanese), your nick name, date, time and birthday. Finally after bypassing the important health and safety warning, the built-in OS lets you select between booting up a Nintendo DS™ or Gameboy™ game, use the built-in Pictochat function, connect to a second DS console or browse through a variety of options.

The Nintendo DS™ display looks very sharp (we found no pixel problems or dust under the screen) and the touch screen is easy to operate. All buttons are in good reach, all in all quite similar to the previous Gameboy Advance™ (not SP) model.

Nintendo DS™ games ship in small hard plastic protective cases, very similar to US Gamecube™ games apart from the smaller size. After a very quick test, we've been pleased with Super Mario 64 DS as well as the Metroid Prime Hunters First Hunt demo. Metroid can be played with the touch screen, however requires a short time for getting used to it.



Delivery schedule, alternative options & new orders

We are expecting mass shipment of the very first US version Nintendo DS™ consoles as well as games within the following week (between Monday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 27th). Due to the shortage of US Nintendo DS™ units made available into the market during the first weeks, we will currently not be able to predict a precise dispatch schedule for every customer with a pending preorder at the moment. All units will be shipped out in first ordered, first served basis taking all humanly possible circumstances into account.

Japanese Nintendo DS™ consoles will become available just around 1 week after we are taking shipments of US version models, which is also the time we estimate supply to increase.

In order to speed up the delivery process for those waiting to get their hands on the Nintendo DS™ console, all customers with a pending preorder can now take advantage of chosing a second option in their customer account. If you have already ordered the US Nintendo DS™ and are willed to accept shipment of a Japanese DS as well, you are able to select this as your second choice. Whichever model can be allocated for your order first, will then be shipped out once available (without any price difference).

Further to be noted is that the official Asian version Nintendo DS™ console has been postponed for an early release in 2005 (possibly January 2005). All units officially distributed in Hong Kong prior to this date will be Japanese version consoles. Customers with a pending Asian version Nintendo DS™ console are able to select a Japanese/US model as alternative option in order to speed up their shipping process.

Finally, new orders have now been opened for the Japanese version Nintendo DS™ at a currently revised price of US$ 189. There's a limitation of 2 units per customer. Preorders will be granted the previous price of $169.

As a reminder, all Nintendo DS™ consoles and games are region free. Additionally, all Nintendo DS™ consoles support multi language (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Japanese).


Picture Gallery - 43 shots of the Nintendo DS™.

Please click on each individual picture for a larger shot, you can also browse them in our Nintendo DS Gallery.



Browse our Nintendo DS™ categories for a roundup of available items and accessories for the DS, including headphones and bags.