世論 What Japan Thinks

To coincide with the first anniversary of the release of Nintendo’s DS Lite handheld console in Japan on March 2nd 2006, japan.internet.com published the results of a survey conducted by JR Tokai Express Research into portable gaming, although this report focuses on the DS Lite only.

Demographics

330 people from JR Tokai Express Research’s online monitor group completed the survey conducted over four days between the 7th and 10th of March.52.4% of the sample was male, 24.2% in their twenties, 45.5% in their thirties, 21.8% in their forties, 6.7% in their fifties, and 1.8% in their sixties.

I still haven’t bought my DS sadly. I suppose I could use the excuse that it’s always sold out whenever I go to the shops, but the truth be told I’m a little scared to buy just in case I get addicted and start ignoring this blog!

Survey results

First, of the 330 people interviewed, 86 people, or 26.1% had bought one. This is slightly higher than the 25.2% ownership rate in Q2, for reasons that are unclear. Perhaps the extra 0.9% have lost theirs or gave them away?

Q1: Was it an effort to purchase your Nintendo DS Lite? (Sample size=86)

Not at all	18.6%
Not very much	31.4%
A little	30.2%
A lot	19.8%
Can’t remember	0.0%

Q2: What do you think about the Nintendo DS Lite? (Sample size=330)

Want one, and have plans to buy (to SQ)	10.3%
Want one, but no plans to buy (to SQ)	29.7%
Don’t want one	23.0%
Already have one	25.2%
Don’t know	11.8%

Q2SQ: Compared with a year ago, do you think it’s become easier to get your hands on a Nintendo DS Lite? (Sample size=132)

Just as difficult to obtain as ever	22.7%
It’s got a little better, but still quite difficult to obtain	28.0%
It’s got better, but still slightly difficult to obtain	18.2%
It’s possible to get one easily	6.8%
Don’t know	24.2%

In addition, on the second Sunday in March this year (the 11th) at noon, the research team visited a big electrical retailer in Tokyo (just the one, it seems) and asked if they had any in stock. Although there was a sign at the counter saying all colours were in stock, when they talked to a shop assistant they were told than only the Noble Pink was available. Asking further, they were informed that the DS Lite sells out as fast as they can put it on the shelves.