Nintendo recently showed off a slimmer, music-playing, photo-taking DS dubbed the DSi.

The device launches in Japan this weekend, but details on a U.S. release date have been sketchy, with Nintendo execs saying the DSi won't arrive in the U.S. until "well into" 2009.

But Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated in a Reuters report that "an autumn or year-end launch would probably be too late" for the DSi in overseas markets.

He said "specific plans" for the DSi's release will be announced by respective territories.

DS hardware continues to be a top seller in the U.S., but Nintendo hopes a new DS will remedy flagging Japanese sales.

Worldwide DS sales currently stand at 84 million units. The handheld launched in late 2004.