Game Boy Micro Makes Solid Debut

Reuters reports that Nintendo's Game Boy Micro is doing better-than-expected business in Japan since its debut on Tuesday. Nintendo is targeting a different audience for the Micro such as women, casual gamers, and older players (ages 25-35) with the new compact and stylish device.

Analyst Yuta Sakurai at Nomura Securities said, "The company aims to expand the gaming population, and with the Micro it wants to attract adult players, especially those who used to play games but stopped because they got busy or for other reasons."

Regarding the higher cost for the Micro than the Game Boy Advance SP, Sakurai remarked that "Adults have different budgets (from kids)." Sakurai also noted that the "Micro would compete well with games played on mobile phones, which are increasingly popular in Japan, because it has better quality and is more stylish."

The Micro, which will launch in the U.S. next week and in Europe at the beginning of November, is obviously being packaged differently than previous game systems with the clear plastic showcasing the console and removable faceplates...