@Jesse2050, All it has to do is maintain its current sales rate (of a bit under 30 million) and it can easily hit 140 million. Also, I can see the hardware to continue to sale for a little bit into the lifespan of the next DS because it would be a cheaper alternative. Also, since sales of the DS have alreadly surpassed the PS2 in Japan, I see potential for the DS to surpass the PS2 in total worldwide sales meaning over 120 million.
In the end, I suspect between 110 and 140 million units total worldwide.
81 million units, worldwide (Shipped) in almost 4 years. With only another 2 strong years left. That would equate to over 2.5 million units sold every month for the next 24 month (worldwide). Considering the system is hitting maturity (it was released in 04), it is going to be tough.
And don't think price cuts are going to help, price cuts are implemented for a reason, because sales are declining.
@lstormy10, Let me also add that the forecast from Nintendo for the end of their current fiscal year in March '08 is a bit over 81 million units sold worldwide (28 million in '07 fiscal year alone), so if you look at the fact that they have exceeded forecasts multiple times and the fact that the DS will most likely continue into at least 2009 (I would suspect the next DS would be launched at the earliest in holiday 2009), getting 110 to 140 million is not over estimating if the DS at least maintains its current sales rate (let alone increase its sales rate or have sales increase due to other factors).
@Jesse2050, I believe it is capable of going higher than 110 million units (depending on lifespan), but I do not see much possibility (as of now) of over 140 million.
@GoblinMerchant, I have already advised people about two comments below to be wary of the stock getting too high on data and predictions as of this point in time. I do believe that it should be over 110 million unit though. It has come down some (yesterday it hit over 150 million units sold before I said that people should be cautious that it is getting too high).
The Nintendo DS stock seems to be going out of control...the chart is basically a ramp up. Ever since this stock broke resistance around 11,000, there's been nothing holding this down and it's due for a correction.
3
DS sales for Nov/Dec in Germany - 653.000
http://www.thesimexchange.com/news-item.php?id=18425