Nintendo Comments On GBA SP's Success

Metal Mario · 02-20-2003, 12:46 PM

*Source: XenGamers

Despite internal skepticism, Nintendo delivered its redesigned GameBoy Advance SP handheld to retailers in Japan last week. Coinciding with the release of Square's Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, sales of the unit have been remarkably strong. In fact, sales are already said to be approaching Nintendo's sales projection of 2 million units, several weeks ahead of schedule. Due to the overwhelming demand and short supply of hardware, Nintendo has reportedly stopped airing television advertisements for the device in Japan. To put things into perspective, Nintendo spokesperson Kenichi Toyoda recent sat down with the Mainichi Shimbun.

Question: Sales of the GameBoy Advance SP have been very strong, how do you plan to meet the demands of the market?

Toyoda-san: First, I'd like to apologize to all the players who have been having trouble trying to purchase a GameBoy Advance SP. We're working very hard to try and get more units into retailers.

Question: Why do you think its been such a hit?

Toyoda-san: Honestly, I've been very surprised by its popularity. The price of the GameBoy Advance SP is 12,500 yen, which is about a 4,000 yen premium over the standard model. In the weeks before its release there was a real sense of anxiety regarding the pricing issue and whether people would actually buy it. Our original expectation was to sell 2 million units by the end of March and we're approaching that level already.

Question: So sales are above Nintendo's projections?

Toyoda-san: That's right.

Question: Unfortunately, there are many players who reserved units at retailers but never received them due to a lack of hardware. What do you think of that?

Toyoda-san: It's always terrible when customers can't purchase our products, especially when they were reserved well in advance. Nintendo met its initial shipment orders, but retailers used the GameBoy Advance SP launch as a major promotional event. Some retail chains took more preorders than they should have, and that's unfortunate. Sales have been brisk, and we're trying to get more hardware into stores as fast as possible.

Question: When can we expect another major shipment?

Toyoda-san: We're trying to increase production in order to meet demand, and we plan to fill new orders as soon as possible - but I can't give you a definitive date on when a specific retailer will receive more hardware. Let me reiterate however, that Nintendo is very troubled by reports of retailers taking substantially more preorders than they could fill. Our best advice would be to stay in touch with your local retailer to find out when they expect their next shipment. Some of the larger chains such as Toys R Us and even some online stores may have stock available. We hope players can wait a little bit longer as we get more units into stores over the next few weeks.

02-20-2003, 02:29 PM

Fantastic Fedechini!

02-20-2003, 02:55 PM

I love seeing Nintendo suceed, but i wonder how its gonna sell in America. Isn't it coming out at about the same time as Pokemon r/s?

--------------------------------

~Gamer Chris

GC's Funny Quotes
Bwahahahahaha! Have a rotton day! ~Wario

02-20-2003, 03:41 PM

^ That could be the perfect combination...

02-20-2003, 09:18 PM

Some how, I have a feeling that it isn't a coincidence.

02-20-2003, 09:23 PM

Hmm. Last time there was a big backlog of hardware (RAM Expansion for N64), they took the European stock for Japan. I'm just hoping they won't do that this time around....

02-20-2003, 12:46 PM	#1
Metal Mario Game Brain Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 14,262 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 8,094.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 8,094.00 Donate	*Source: XenGamers Despite internal skepticism, Nintendo delivered its redesigned GameBoy Advance SP handheld to retailers in Japan last week. Coinciding with the release of Square's Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, sales of the unit have been remarkably strong. In fact, sales are already said to be approaching Nintendo's sales projection of 2 million units, several weeks ahead of schedule. Due to the overwhelming demand and short supply of hardware, Nintendo has reportedly stopped airing television advertisements for the device in Japan. To put things into perspective, Nintendo spokesperson Kenichi Toyoda recent sat down with the Mainichi Shimbun. Question: Sales of the GameBoy Advance SP have been very strong, how do you plan to meet the demands of the market? Toyoda-san: First, I'd like to apologize to all the players who have been having trouble trying to purchase a GameBoy Advance SP. We're working very hard to try and get more units into retailers. Question: Why do you think its been such a hit? Toyoda-san: Honestly, I've been very surprised by its popularity. The price of the GameBoy Advance SP is 12,500 yen, which is about a 4,000 yen premium over the standard model. In the weeks before its release there was a real sense of anxiety regarding the pricing issue and whether people would actually buy it. Our original expectation was to sell 2 million units by the end of March and we're approaching that level already. Question: So sales are above Nintendo's projections? Toyoda-san: That's right. Question: Unfortunately, there are many players who reserved units at retailers but never received them due to a lack of hardware. What do you think of that? Toyoda-san: It's always terrible when customers can't purchase our products, especially when they were reserved well in advance. Nintendo met its initial shipment orders, but retailers used the GameBoy Advance SP launch as a major promotional event. Some retail chains took more preorders than they should have, and that's unfortunate. Sales have been brisk, and we're trying to get more hardware into stores as fast as possible. Question: When can we expect another major shipment? Toyoda-san: We're trying to increase production in order to meet demand, and we plan to fill new orders as soon as possible - but I can't give you a definitive date on when a specific retailer will receive more hardware. Let me reiterate however, that Nintendo is very troubled by reports of retailers taking substantially more preorders than they could fill. Our best advice would be to stay in touch with your local retailer to find out when they expect their next shipment. Some of the larger chains such as Toys R Us and even some online stores may have stock available. We hope players can wait a little bit longer as we get more units into stores over the next few weeks.

02-20-2003, 02:29 PM	#2
Kirb-E Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	Fantastic Fedechini!

02-20-2003, 02:55 PM	#3
Gamer Chris Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	I love seeing Nintendo suceed, but i wonder how its gonna sell in America. Isn't it coming out at about the same time as Pokemon r/s? -------------------------------- ~Gamer Chris GC's Funny Quotes Bwahahahahaha! Have a rotton day! ~Wario

02-20-2003, 03:41 PM	#4
I HATE POKEMON! Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	^ That could be the perfect combination...

02-20-2003, 09:18 PM	#5
darkintention Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	Some how, I have a feeling that it isn't a coincidence.

02-20-2003, 09:23 PM	#6
jolteon Guest Posts: n/a Points: 0 Bank: 0 Total Points: 0 Donate	Hmm. Last time there was a big backlog of hardware (RAM Expansion for N64), they took the European stock for Japan. I'm just hoping they won't do that this time around....