Nintendo has revealed some details of the number of Nintendo DS units that will be shipped in preparation for its release on 2 December.

It is planned to ship 300,000 units for the first day of release and, with shipping continuing weekly, have 1 million units available by year's end. It's a tough call to say whether these numbers are large or small but there is always a shortage of stock when a new game device is released. Nintendo said that it released the information in response to "a large number of calls concerning product availability and advance orders."

Several large toy chains have been displaying signs that read, "Pricing, stock numbers not yet available," indicating that the number of inquiries has probably been increasing. Regarding advance orders, Nintendo stated that "advance orders will begin at retail stores nation-wide from 3 November" (i.e. one month before the release date).

Inspired by: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20041027/nds.htm [1]