If I pre-ordered the DS Vision Starter Kit I would have been disappointed. Instead of exploding with libraries of manga and TV shows to download, there are only a total of 31 items ready for launch, 10% of the proposed 300. To be fair today is the launch day and we don’t know if AM3 plans to update the store every day, once a week or once a month. However, if AM3 is aiming to make a legal version of existing gray market DS flashcards, AM3 needs a lot more content.
At least the pricing is reasonable. An episode of Speed Racer, Gatchaman or other Tatsunoko animation costs 210 yen ($2). Right now Tatsunoko is the only company with movies on the DS Vision service. Digital manga costs 315 yen ($3) for each chapter and there are a number of free trial chapters on the service. Books range most in price, going from free* (trials, like manga) to 630 yen ($6) for a 1,000+ page novel.
AM3 has a lot to do if they want to reach 20,000,000 a year by 2010.
Images courtesy of AM3.
Published: Jul 3, 2008 10:43 am