In the Tokyo district of Ikebukuro, about 100 people, including junior high school children and workers on their way to the office, lined up outside a store that opened its doors at 7 a.m. to snap up Nintendo’s new interactive “Nintendo DS” [.jpg image] game consoles. The dual-screen consoles come with a touch panel and built-in chat software, and can be connected to a wireless network to interact with other players. After purchasing the console, many of them immediately opened the box and started playing. Nintendo hopes to sell 5 million consoles worldwide by March 2005.

Two office workers who showed up at a Bic Camera store in Ikebukuro said they had lined up since 11 p.m. the previous evening. “I’ve got the day off today so I lined up with my co-worker here,” one of the workers said. “I’ll use it when I’m on business trips and while I’m traveling.” A junior high school student who bought the console said, “I want to show this off to my friends at school.” Via: Mainichi Shimbun

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Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!