Handheld Game Platforms 2006: And Then There Were Two

SUMMARY

What had been an active handheld game platform market in early 2005 quieted down significantly when the Nokia N-Gage, Tapwave Zodiac, and Gizmondo all left the market over the past year. Only two competitors remain: Nintendo and Sony.

Nintendo is winding down support for its Game Boy line, and moving resources to support the DS console. It has also offered a smaller, lighter console in the DS Lite, which was released in the first half of 2006.

The Sony PSP, while primarily a game console, continues to extend its multimedia capabilities. In late 2005, Sony launched an effort to allow the PSP owner to view home video content on his PSP from anywhere.

This report includes in-depth analysis and forecasts for all handheld platforms currently shipping. Annual shipment and revenue forecasts broken down by region from 2004 through 2010 are provided for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP/Micro, Nintendo DS, and Sony PSP. Results on handheld console ownership and purchase plans from two separate In-Stat surveys are also provided.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Executive Summary
• Methodology
• Handheld Game Console Survey Results
  • Residential Technology Survey
  • Web-based Survey
• Handheld Consoles
  • Nintendo Game Boy Advance/Advance SP
    • Platform
    • Marketing
    • Shipment Forecast
  • Nintendo DS
    • Platform
    • Marketing
    • Online
    • Shipment Forecast
  • Sony PSP
    • Platform
    • Marketing
    • Online
    • Shipment Forecast
  • RIP-The Handheld Pretenders
    • Nokia N-Gage
    • Tapwave Zodiac
    • Gizmondo
• Other Handheld Gaming Platforms
  • Mobile Gaming
• Review and Forecast

List of Tables

• Table 1. Game Boy Advance SP/Micro Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Region 2004-2010 (Units and US$ in Thousands)
• Table 2. Nintendo DS Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Region 2004-2010 (Units and US$ in Thousands)
• Table 3. Sony PSP Shipment and Revenue Forecast by Region 2004-2010 (Units and US$ in Thousands)
• Table 4. Total Handheld Gaming Platform Shipment and Revenue Forecast 2004-2010 (Units and US$ in Thousands)
• Table 5. Game Boy, DS, and PSP Cumulative Shipment Forecast by Year

List of Figures

• Figure 1. Handheld Game Platform Shipment Forecast 2004-2010 (Units in Thousands)
• Figure 2. Which of the Following Types of Handheld Video Game Consoles Do You Currently Own?
• Figure 3. How Likely Are You to Buy a Handheld Game Such as the Nintendo DS, Game Boy, or Sony PSP in the Next 12 Months?
• Figure 4. Which, if any, of the Following Handheld Game Consoles Do You own and Personally Use?
• Figure 5. Which of the Following Best Describes Your Experience with Wireless Gaming on Your Sony PSP and/or Nintendo DS Handheld?
• Figure 6. How Likely Are You to Purchase a Sony PSP in the Next 12 Months?
• Figure 7. How Likely Are You to Purchase a Nintendo DS in the Next 12 Months?
• Figure 8. Nintendo Game Boy Micro
• Figure 9. Nintendo DS Lite
• Figure 10. Sony PSP
• Figure 11. Game Boy, DS, and PSP Cumulative Shipment Forecast by Year