MARCH 23, 2009 • Enterbrain’s Famitsu magazine published the results of a reader survey that illustrated how much more mobile Japanese gamers are. Only 15.1% did not own a Nintendo DS, and 15.5% lacked a PSP. When it came to consoles, the PS3 was most favored with 41.6% of respondents saying they did not own one, compared to 43.3% who didn’t own a Wii, and 53.5% who had not purchased an Xbox 360.

Impact: Given these numbers, obviously this was a survey of fairly passionate gamers.  However, it also shows that the gaming consumer is becoming a multiple device creature that plays games anytime, anywhere. As such, a mobile game system is an essential device. Furthermore, it would indicate the majority go for multiple types of portable devices. Japan can be an indicator of future global trends and this is one reason DFC believes the portable game revolution has just begun.