Nintendo talks digital distribution for DSi and how important it will be

We've talked a lot over the last few days about Nintendo's new DSi console - that's because it's a new Nintendo handheld, which means - by default - it's got us more excited than a randy poodle in a cotton wool factory.

But there's still plenty to talk about. Nintendo might have revealed the console itself and most of its new features, but it hasn't disclosed details such as release dates outside of Japan, how much flash memory it will incorporate and what might be made available in the DSi Shop for download in future.

More news on all this (if not answers) has now emerged courtesy of a Venture Beat interview with Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime in which he spoke about the release schedule for DSi and what will happen to DS Lite, among other issues.

On the subject of that release schedule, Fils-Aime confirms Nintendo will be making sure Japan has enough units to satisfy demand before moving onto America, where DS Lite is still selling well, saying:

"...there's an extremely high level of demand for the current Nintendo DS Lite. Here in the Americas, we need to satisfy that demand before moving on to the next iteration. That's especially true going into the holiday selling period when 40 to 50 percent of the annual sales will happen."

Confirming what's previously been said about DS Lite and DSi existing side-by-side, and Nintendo's hopes consumers will continue buying the DS Lite for the games coming out for it over the coming months.

"Our mission is to help the potential new DS consumer understand that, given the experiences that are coming out, like the new Pokemon Ranger, there's no reason to wait to buy into the hardware," Fil-Aimes commented.

"The consumer can see that in Japan, the DSi will launch at a higher price than the current DS there. The consumer here can read into that. The most affordable option will be the current DS Lite."

The Nintendo president also spoke about digital downloading for the DSi and - as expected, so not to upset retailers - said it would be treated as an addition to retail game sales.

"It's a nice added business model but it's not something that's going to take over retail game sales. We'll be able to see the sales growth and plan for it. But I guess similar to home consoles, the consumer will want an experience that's best delivered through physical goods, simply because of the memory size required. There will always be those opportunities for big, in-depth games on retail products."

So, we still have unanswered questions but it's interesting Nintendo is hoping sales of DS Lite will remain strong in the US now a successor has been announced.

Is that because the price of the console will drop, or because a majority of DS Lite buyers aren't worried about having the newest technology? After all, would you buy a DS Lite now you know new hardware is probably only six months away?