are DS titles being understocked in the UK?

[themanwithapc]

Tried 4 shops in my high street today (Dixons, Gamestation, Woolies and Argos) No sign of Meteos, AW or indeed what I wanted, CastlevaniaoS. I've had to revert to ordering online (and importing in the case of the former 2).

By comparision, there were massive 'home printed' signs in the GS windows saying PSP stock is now in and come in to pick one up. The games also have the largest section of any format after the PS2, despite the relative lack of games overall.

[The Mole]

Dixons are listing Touch Yoshi as a new release (that was the last DS game they got in).

Meteos is easy to get here as is Advance Wars its just Castlevania and IMO its the best of the three.

Does anybody know who is distrabuting the game and if there is a shortage.

[charlesr]

In the Gameplay "October must haves" newsletter, the only DS games listed are nintendogs.

PSP games are the awe inspiring: GTA Liberty, Fifa 2006 and Death Jr.

[Family Fry]

Dixons are listing Touch Yoshi as a new release (that was the last DS game they got in).

Meteos is easy to get here as is Advance Wars its just Castlevania and IMO its the best of the three.

Does anybody know who is distrabuting the game and if there is a shortage.

Distributor is Centresoft, its a conspiracy i tells ya they exclusively distribute PSP's and all the UMDs etc.

http://www.centresoft.co.uk/html/product_information.htm

Search for Castlevania its there and apparently IN STOCK, least someone has it in stock.
YET AGAIN i had to ask in Gamestation if they had it (had to ask with Meteos last week) they said yeah its out in the back, just get you a copy.
I really did feel like asking why the hell is it out in the back and not on the shop floor, couldnt be arsed in the end though long as i got a copy.

[The Mole]

The funny thing is castlevania is beating GTA for the most wanted game in October on gamefaqs. I bet we will not struggle to find GTA.

[themanwithapc]

The funny thing is castlevania is beating GTA for the most wanted game in October on gamefaqs. I bet we will not struggle to find GTA.

Hmm, just had a thought. Since this has been released in Europe first, what is the US consumers stance on this game? Perhaps it's those guys that have been importing this game heavily leading to a shortage for us?*


*Disclaimer: These are my sole opinions and in no way express the current state or trends in the market

[ascender]

Hmmm, this isn't at all good. Was planning to pick up Castlevania, Advance Wars and Meteos today but I guess it might not be that simple after all.

[usman]

I'm laying the blame squarely on Nintendo's shoulders here. If ALL the above titles are spilling over shelves here in the Dominion then there is no bleeding reason it shouldn't be so in the Kingdom. It's not as if the DS has tanked in Europe.

[The Mole]

Thing is we don't know how many copies have been ordered for all we know its the retailers that are just ordering 1 or 2 copies of the game as they think the DS is on its way now the PSP is here.

[ascender]

Bizarre. I went to one of Edinbugh's smaller shopping centres and had no trouble at all. I bought Advance Wars and Castlevania from Game but they had loads, as did HMV. Bonus was that HMV were doing Mario Kart DD for ?19.99.

[MikeRox]

YET AGAIN i had to ask in Gamestation if they had it (had to ask with Meteos last week) they said yeah its out in the back, just get you a copy.
I really did feel like asking why the hell is it out in the back and not on the shop floor, couldnt be arsed in the end though long as i got a copy.

Our GS had 2 whole copies which were both on the new release rack which was hidden in a corner, obviously I just looked for it in the DS section so it was as good as having to ask for it. They were the only 2 copies in coventry, someone in the castlevania thread has said "it's not gonna be rare as theres loads in my town" so maybe they all just went to one place like used to happen with the DC (certain titles were easier to get in different parts of the country, but where was better really did come down to the title).

[ACKman]

The Gamecube situation is far worse. Today I decided to finally go and get RE4 as I've been meaning to get it for ages. I know this game has been in low stock so went in a few stores to find the cheapest price. In Mancheater, Virgin and WHSmith don't stock GC games. The Game store should be ashamed at how little GC games they stock and even the games they did have most were ****e (they have a bigger DVD section for heavens sake). Gamestation also only had a handful of the same games. In the end I got it from HMV for ?39.99 which hurt as I can't remember the time I paid that much for a game, still at least I have it now.

[The Mole]

Some HMV stores had RE4 in the sale at ?19.99

Castlevania is a gem its just shame its hidden in all the rubbish PS2 and Xbox games cluttering up game stores. I am not saying all PS2/Xbox games are rubbish but it hacks me off the shelf space that games like FIFA game. In one game store FIFA 2006 has 6 whole shelves that was more than the entire Gamecube section.

[wod]

thats why i import games now as then i can get what i want and not have to ask in shops or look through the mass of ps2 and other console games.

but the store managers cant help it if all that sells is fifa soccer etc and be biased to ps2 or whatever console. its all about money to them and what games will sell they give more shelf space to. i understand what your say though

[ascender]

I know that money is the reason behind things, but Its a real shame. Even moreso when you think of the amount of people who miss out on some of the really special titles that come out for any console and don't get the shelf space and publicity. All its going to do is create an even bigger gap between the casual and hardcore (man I hate those terms) gamers.

I guess we just have to spread the word about systems and games that a lot of people never think about trying and hope someone listens.