One word best sums up Japan's relationship with the DS: Insane. The portable has sold oodles (yes, OODLES) and continues to do so. Likewise, the Wii is a big seller. So, Nintendo's been producing the DS Lite for a while now, so there shouldn't be shortages still, right? And the Wii, well, that can't be that hard to make so Japan should be swimming in them. Nope! Both products seem in short supply. A Den-Den Town retailer tells Japanese blog Ota Road:
The shipments for March and April have been small.
It's been possible to purchase *used* versions of the DS Lite and the Wii up to now. There's talk that the shortages should ease in April, making it possible to easily purchase the consoles here. April? That coincidences with the financial year in Japan. What a kwinky dink!