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DS

DS Lite to be Discontinued?

by Andy Goergen - April 22, 2011, 11:36 am EDT
Total comments: 30 Source: NeoGAF, http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42814...

The popular handheld may be on its way out.

The Nintendo DS Lite will be discontinued, according to an internal GameStop memo, which was posted on NeoGAF. 

The memo stated that GameStop locations will not be replenished on DS Lite units, and that after existing stock is sold out, employees should remove display boxes from view. 

When NWR contacted Nintendo regarding this, the response was, "Nintendo does not comment on rumors or speculation."

Talkback

broodwarsApril 22, 2011

Nintendo ceasing production of an old DS model with the 3DS out in stores?  SHOCKING!  ::)

CericApril 22, 2011

I think the Subtitle should have been "GBA May be on the Way out."

nintendo1945April 22, 2011

Nintendo's default responses are pretty lame sometimes.

I think some people will want to grab a new Lite just to always have a good working unit of the best-built gaming hardware ever.

BlackNMild2k1April 22, 2011

Next up: Nintendo announces GBA to join GB, GBC & GG in the eShop

ShyGuyApril 22, 2011

I guess the third pillar has fallen.

CericApril 22, 2011

Quote from: ShyGuy

I guess the third pillar has fallen.

Did it make a sound?

It you had the memo its not rumor or speculation.

Chozo GhostApril 22, 2011

Does a Gamestop memo apply to every retailer? Last time I checked other places were selling DS lites. Amazon, for example.

KnowsNothingApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

I think some people will want to grab a new Lite just to always have a good working unit of the best-built gaming hardware ever.

But what will they do when both shoulder buttons stop working?

DespicableApril 22, 2011

Yupp it's discontinued. Just heard it on channel 5 news. It's sad though. Probably pisses people off since they released that thing onley 2 years ago. Sadly, thats what I own.

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

I think some people will want to grab a new Lite just to always have a good working unit of the best-built gaming hardware ever.

Troll post?

I had three separate DS Lites break on me, in three different ways.

BeautifulShyApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Despicable

Yup it's discontinued. Just heard it on channel 5 news. It's sad though. Probably pisses people off since they released that thing only 2 years ago. Sadly, thats what I own.

I think you are thinking about the DSi.That came out in 2009.The DS Lite came out in 2006.Which is the one that is being discontinued.:)

Mop it upApril 22, 2011

I can't say I'm surprised by this. With the 3DS out, there isn't much reason to continue selling both models of the DS, and I think the DSi is selling better than the Lite anyway. I'm wondering if we'll see some Lites on clearance to get rid of the remaining stock... if I found one for $50 I'd probably get one.

Chozo GhostApril 22, 2011

I never had a problem with my DS Phatty.

broodwarsApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

I never had a problem with my DS Phatty.

Nor I outside a deteriorating paint job, weaker hinges, and inferior lighting compared to the later incarnations.

DespicableApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Maxi

Quote from: Despicable

Yup it's discontinued. Just heard it on channel 5 news. It's sad though. Probably pisses people off since they released that thing only 2 years ago. Sadly, thats what I own.

I think you are thinking about the DSi.That came out in 2009.The DS Lite came out in 2006.Which is the one that is being discontinued. :)

No I have the DS Lite I just thought it came out in 2008 or 2007.

Chozo GhostApril 22, 2011

There were newer colors of the DS lite that came out in 2008 and 2007. Maybe that's what you're thinking of. Its amazing how time flies... the Phat model came out in 2004, but it was arguably the most durable. It looks kinda like a fisher-price children's toy, but the good news is its also built like one so it doesn't break easy. The newer models are slimmer and sleeker, but also more flimsy. If you can get past the appearance you might agree the Phat model is just more to love.

BeautifulShyApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Despicable

Quote from: Maxi

Quote from: Despicable

Yup it's discontinued. Just heard it on channel 5 news. It's sad though. Probably pisses people off since they released that thing only 2 years ago. Sadly, thats what I own.

I think you are thinking about the DSi.That came out in 2009.The DS Lite came out in 2006.Which is the one that is being discontinued. :)

No I have the DS Lite I just thought it came out in 2008 or 2007.

Ah okay. That makes sense.

Mop it upApril 22, 2011

The original DS model does look more comfortable to hold than the others, though the DSi XL looks like it may be okay too. I doubt I could find either brand new for $50 though, since one is pretty old and the other is far above that currently.

Chozo GhostApril 22, 2011

I'm sure the Phat model is the rarest and most difficult one to find anywhere. If you have one, you probably should hold onto it. If I remember correctly, Nintendo discontinued it pretty much immediately after introducing the Lite model because they guessed they just wanted to wash their hands of it. So the Phat model only lasted from the end of 2004 to sometime in 2006.  The lite model lasted from 2006 to 2011 so its been in production the longest and undoubtedly has the most units produced of all the models.

My guess was a big reason Nintendo dropped the Phat like a stone is because of how they were trying to go after mature audiences, and the Phat sorta looked like a cheap plastic toy. Remember how they did all those commercials with adults playing games like Professor Layton and that cooking tutor game? Those commercials didn't feature the Phat model. Its like Nintendo was ashamed of it.

DespicableApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

There were newer colors of the DS lite that came out in 2008 and 2007.

Ok, that makes more sense. Beacuse I think the Red Crimson came out then and that's what I've got.  ;)

Mop it upApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

My guess was a big reason Nintendo dropped the Phat like a stone is because of how they were trying to go after mature audiences...

No, it was the same reason they stopped producing the original GBA when the SP model came out: the Lite was better in every way so there was no reason to continue selling the original model.

Chozo GhostApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: Chozo

My guess was a big reason Nintendo dropped the Phat like a stone is because of how they were trying to go after mature audiences...

No, it was the same reason they stopped producing the original GBA when the SP model came out: the Lite was better in every way so there was no reason to continue selling the original model.

The DSi/XL was better than the DS lite in every way, so how come they didn't drop DS lite production until only now? The plug on the Phat model was pulled almost immediately after the Lite came out, but its been about 3 years since the DSi came out until now. So why did Lite production continue on this long whereas Phat production ended so abruptly?

GBA slot accessories.

Mop it upApril 22, 2011

Because the DSi price is higher than the Lite, so they offer two different models at different price points. It's similar to the different versions they (used to?) offer with the PS3 and XBox 360 at different prices.

BeautifulShyApril 22, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: Chozo

My guess was a big reason Nintendo dropped the Phat like a stone is because of how they were trying to go after mature audiences...

No, it was the same reason they stopped producing the original GBA when the SP model came out: the Lite was better in every way so there was no reason to continue selling the original model.

The DSi/XL was better than the DS lite in every way, so how come they didn't drop DS lite production until only now? The plug on the Phat model was pulled almost immediately after the Lite came out, but its been about 3 years since the DSi came out until now. So why did Lite production continue on this long whereas Phat production ended so abruptly?

I'd say there was one main factor for the DS Lite's longevity in light of the DSi/XL.It had  GBA support where as the DSi didn't. Plus the DS Lite was a better model than the Phat.

CericApril 22, 2011

I would still be using my at Launch DS Phat today if the touch portion of the touch screen hadn't gone out when I went to play the first Professor Layton.  I had my wife pick me up a lite on the way home so I could play it.  The XL was what I was really holding out for even before I knew it existed.  Though I ended up getting the 3DS for DSiWare and like...

xcwarriorApril 23, 2011

With DSi and DSiXL still out there, they are still three pillars strong for the time being.

Even more reason NOT to announce a new system, because then they  will be at four pillars, and that would be silly.

Chozo GhostApril 23, 2011

Quote from: xcwarrior

With DSi and DSiXL still out there, they are still three pillars strong for the time being.

Even more reason NOT to announce a new system, because then they  will be at four pillars, and that would be silly.

No. The 3DS is backwards compatible with those systems, so they don't offer anything different. What was special with the DS Lite was what it retained GBA support and was the last handheld to do so. Now that its gone they are down to two pillars, not three.

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