Nintendo said today that there could be a delay in the launch of
its more powerful version of the Game Boy handheld game console.
The Game Boy Advance, which will feature e-mail and other new
functions, was scheduled for an August release. However, due to
problems with component supply, launch has been postponed until
November or December.
Nintendo has a dominant share in the world sales of handheld game consoles – 90% in Japan, 99% in the US and Europe. The Game Boy has sold to date over 100 million units.
This delay could have significance for game developers involved in this market, depending on the terms of contracts entered into with Nintendo.
Meanwhile, the president of rival company Sega, Shocichiro Irimajiri, is expected to step down as part of a management reshuffle on Friday when the console manufacturer is expected to announce its third consecutive year of losses.
Sales of Dreamcast in Japan have been disappointing for Sega, although the console has sold well in the US. In February, Sega warned that it expected group net losses of approximately £285 million, compared a with previous forecast of less than half that sum.
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