Due to Nintendo DS shortages for nearly the entire month of January, Japan has started importing American DS's. From the article: "[Since] Nintendo DS has been selling out nearly everywhere in Japan, stores have begun importing the American version to satisfy consumer demand. The report shows Den-Den Town’s Sofmap store selling our Electric Blue DS for 19, 800 yen [$172]. However, while the platform will play Japanese DS games without a hitch, apparently Nintendo of Japan will not honor the NoA warranty."
Given the huge selection of great games, would you pay $172 for an imported DS? Regardless of your answer, we won't tell Nintendo pricing experts.