Nintendo Lauds Australian DS Launch; Talks Casual Gaming

Nintendo officials are claiming that the Australian launch of the Nintendo DS console is the most successful ever in that regional market, based on first day sales. The launch took place on Thursday February 24th, and according to Nintendo Australia’s sales and marketing director Rose Lappin: "We are eagerly awaiting the official market sales figures this week to fully solidify our place in the Australian marketplace as the most successful current hardware launch ever." There are no official figures to back the claims up, which are currently based only on retail feedback, but if accurate they will mark a major victory for Nintendo, which traditionally lists Australia as one of its least successful markets. An official Nintendo statement on an unrelated matter updated worldwide figures for the handheld, commetning that "the Nintendo DS has done extremely well since it launched in Japan and the U.S., and similar success is expected when it launches on 11th March in Europe. Nintendo DS is on target to ship 6 million worldwide by March 31st." In related news, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has posted comments on the website of Mother (aka Earthbound) creator Shigesato Itoi, reaffirming his vision for the Nintendo DS and its potential audience. Iwata commented: "We need to come up with new ideas that will expand the definition of video games. Our [game] Puppy Times (aka Nintendogs, which is slated for release in April, is one example of a product that will expand the definition of games. It's meant to be enjoyed by all people who love dogs, unlike traditional dog-breeding simulation games." "After the launch of Puppy Times, we have plans for other games that will also expand the definition of video games. Ideas that we have include a game that employs an electronic dictionary, a game that enhances brain activities and a game that's played by sound and touching light." Interestingly, this is the first time that any mention has been made of an electronic dictionary (perhaps implying that rumors of a range of PDA style software for the DS are true), or the other unusual game concepts, but these ruminations are yet to be officially confirmed by Nintendo.