Surprisingly, the DSi console sold very well in the UK, which is a market that many competitors are trying to dominate. In fact, they sold even more than the original DS and DS Lite in the same 2-day period after the launch date making it the fourth fastest selling video game console. Magic wasn’t involved at all for the 92,000 units that were sold. There are some things that contributed greatly to the successful launch in the UK.

One of the first images of the DSi Console that we got to see.

Closely Packed Release Dates

UK gamers are the ones that suffer a lot with many of the games and systems due for release weeks or months after the launch in the US. This can be a lengthy wait for the DS lovers and may prompt them to find something else to do or something else to buy. This time around, the release dates were more closely packed than ever before. In fact, the European launch took place a couple days before the North American launch, leaving the UK fans relieved and excited to get their new handheld without delay.

DS Brand

Many people in the UK most probably have heard of the DS before, but never bothered to get it. The recent launch of the DSi console was more like a reminder for those people who had doubts to give the new version a closer look. With its improvements and new features, many people in the UK were attracted to buy the handheld.

Excellent Lineup of New Features

Because both the original DS and DS Lite sold very well in the UK, so many people already have them and probably don’t want to spend more money on another handheld. However, the Disc has plenty of neat features making it a bigger upgrade than the DS Lite. The bigger screen and improved speakers were welcome additions along with the new SD card slot for files to be stored and certain file types like AAC to be read. The two cameras that are built-in added more value to the unit with some future DS titles using it. The DSi Shop was among the best features that make it worth the dropping of the GBA slot.

Same Launch Price

The DS Lite made its debut with a 150 Euros price tag and now the DSi was launched with a similar price tag. People in the UK were happy about this because the added features were rather welcoming and the price isn’t too expensive for people to ignore.

It takes all of these factors combined for any handheld like the DSi console to be successful in a region. The Nintendo DSi had a very strong start and it is expected grow in sales numbers as the DSi is both for entertainment and productivity.

The Nintendo DS has had a long history over the years and is continuing to dominate the entire handheld environment. However, it wasn’t a perfect handheld console, but Nintendo responded by making a few cosmetic changes to the original DS and formed it into the Nintendo DS Lite – a smaller and more comfortable alternative.

The Nintendo DS Lite was popular during its early days as well, but the target audience wasn’t wide enough for some of the non-gamers to dive to into. This is where the Nintendo DSi comes in, which was recently launched in the nearly 3 years after the DS Lite launch. Just like the other DS launches, there were four different areas where the DSi was introduced on different dates. Out of these four, it was the UK launch that gained the most attention. Here are some of the highlights.

Over 92,000 Units Sold 2 days after the Launch

This achievement beat out the old milestone set when the original Nintendo DS sold around 87,000 consoles. Because the DS has grown in popularity overtime, more people become curious with the new DSi and be amazed by the new features it offers. The DSi is now the fourth fastest selling handheld console.

UK Launch was Scheduled Before the US Launch
Nintendo decided to try something different by launching the product in the UK before the North American regions. This reduced the massive wait times that UK users experienced, but finally that has come to an end. The plan worked resulting to a huge increase in the number of sales made.

No Major Event was hosted

All of the DSi handhelds went directly to the shelves without any huge launch party. Its success wasn’t affected at all because of the many stores it went to giving a lot of choices for people to buy.

No Major Game was introduced

Usually, the handheld launches some with a freebie or two in order to attract more people, but nothing came up during the launch of Nintendo’s latest handheld. This only meant that people really cared about the new console itself rather than the games that only work on DSi. However, the DS games sales slightly increased because of people looking for new games to play with their new DS model.

DSi Ware Service Opened

The DSi Ware service is an online service where people spend Nintendo Points (previously known as Wii Points) so that people can download or purchases applications and games. More items should be added real soon resembling the WIi Shop. Some of these items are even free like free browser application.

Preserved Price

Just like the Nintendo DS Late, the Nintendo DSi will cost 150 euro. Prices are expected to lower over time as usual. The interesting thing was that people didn’t have to spend more to enjoy the new features.

The DSi is definitely out there in many stores that sell games and consoles. It has also gained respect from critics and consumers for its fair price and good range of features making it a fine upgrade despite the lack of GBA slot and lower battery life.

Remember when the PSP came out and all they talked about was being able to upload pictures, movies, and listen to music? This was, of course, a major blow for Nintendo DSi users who were scrapping their hand held systems to upgrade to the PSP from Sony (despite the PSP selling far fewer units). However, the future is upon us and if you still have that DS hiding in the closet, bring it back out using an R4 for DSi because now you can use many of the same features.

This is all thanks to something called an R4 DSi card. All you have to do is place it in the first slot of your Nintendo DSi and start playing the music and movies you enjoy, you aren’t limited to the file types the console normally allows. It’s been a long time coming, but the R4 Revolution DSi has brought all gamers together to be a part of the phenomenon. Above all, there really isn’t anything to it except putting it into your console like you would a game cartridge. Some people call the device an R4DSi but technically you should put a space in between the words.

Unfortunately, there aren’t enough cartridges to keep everyone happy, so you may end up having a hard time finding them. However, in the midst of all the dismay, knock-off versions are hitting the market like wildfire. So it’s extremely important to make sure you get the real kind, before dumping your hard earned green into something that won’t perform like it’s supposed to on your system.

Another benefit you will notice is the ability to play back up games and utilize your R4 DSi (R4i as it’s also known) cartridge as a large memory bank for games. So if you have 40 games for the R4 Nintendo DSi, they can all be set up on this new revolution, and you just choose what you want to play. Then again, for you adults out there, the Nintendo DSi has several options for you as well.

If you don’t feel like spending four or five hundred dollars on a laptop, using a gaming console with an R4 Revolution DSi – R4i is the next best thing. Once the R4 Revolution DSi (R4 for DSi you might call it) is in place, you have the opportunity to surf the Internet, and even write up documents like you would in Microsoft Word. We’ve even used it to keep track of our finances here and there.

The point is you can use the R4i for a plethora of different things. Keep in mind you won’t truly get the feel of how everything works until you utilize everything yourself, but knowing all these abilities are available is a definite benefit. It’s exciting to watch the revolution of gaming systems like the DSi and how they’re transforming the way we live. We can’t wait to see what comes out next.

For now, you’ll just have to take advantage of a system that offers a way to give you movies, music, pictures, and more. Obviously you aren’t going to complain about this many features, but on a game standpoint the benefits are endless. There is nothing like homebrew applications such as the R4 DSi. In the end you will be able to play the same R4 Nintendo DSi games ten years from now, and still build on your collection.

Nintendogs - Just £1,000,000 (maybe this wasn't a genuine sale)

5. Super Bomberman 3 – £560

I’m surprised this is so rare and valuable because I remember getting this game for my birthday 14 years ago. If only I’d never played it or taken it out of its box and stored it away in mint condition, I could be over £500 better off today.

The most expensive SNES game money can buy.

4. 36 Factory Sealed Nintendo Games – £775

You might wonder why anyone would want to pay £775 for 36 old games which you could probably pick up for around £5 separately. What’s special about this collection of Game Boy, SNES, NES, and Nintendo 64 games is that none of them have ever been taken out of their boxes. Why anyone would pay £40 for a game and not play it I’m not quite sure but it makes this collection quite special.

36 Games, but I notice two copies of Mario Land 2 and 3 copies of Mario Land 3. I'm sure they are looking to purchase 4 copies of Mario Land 4.

3. Special Super Mario Game & Watch – £800

The last Game & Watch title ever made. There were only 10,000 units produced and you could only get them by winning one. This game is similar to the NES game of the same name but the levels are entirely different. You’d be in a pretty exclusive club if you owned a copy of this game, which is why people are willing to pay so much for it.

Limited edition Mario Bros. Game & Watch comes complete with the letter which proves the game could not be bought.

2. 37 Game & Watch Games – £1,500

This must be a very rare find, 37 different Nintendo Game & Watch machines. However, despite selling for one and a half grand, this collection represents only half the games released. That really gives you an idea of how rare these games are now. Game & Watches are now best known for the two screen versions which gave their design to the current DSi console and also for Mr. Game & Watch who stars in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Wii.

37 Very rare boxed, Game & Watch units.

1. Super Nintendo with 210+ Games – £1,767.17

A SNES with more games than you could possibly find time to play, let alone complete, but it would look very cool to have them on your shelf. All these games are still just a fraction of the 785 games released for the SNES. The seller miscounted though and his advert later states that there were only 199 games, but I don’t think anyone would mind too much.

34 of these. make that 41 of these (I spot another few every time I look at the pictures). How many have you played/owned/completed?” title=”snes12″ width=”300″ height=”400″ class=”size-full wp-image-81″ />

199 Games. I thought I'd played more SNES games than most people, but I've only played 34 of these. How many have you played/owned/completed?