DSi slated for summer release

Nintendo will release the DSi across Europe and America in later summer 2009, according to company president Satoru Iwata.

The new handheld system will retail in Japan on November 1 at JPY 18,900 (£96) in a bid to boost the company's hardware sales in the territory.

Iwata remained tight-lipped on a specific date for the EU and US release, but said the company has late summer in mind.

"Specific plans will be unveiled by our local subsidiaries, but an autumn or year-end launch would probably be too late," he told Reuters.

The Nintendo president also dismissed claims that the global credit crunch is to blame for the downturn in DS sales outside Japan.

"With the business environment having changed this much, we of course need to stay alert. But so far I haven't seen even the slightest sign that overseas DS and Wii demand is being affected by the economy," he said.