You read that title correct. Nintendo has gone through hardware shortages with the DS. They've gone through the same hell with the DS Lite. They've gone through software shortages as well with this little system that could. Now, they're facing plastic shortages.

Instead of selling their DS games in their plastic covers, they're going back to the old cardboard covers they used to use with the Game Boy Advance. The new cases will be the same size as the plastic DS cases. They'll also have a small explanation saying that only the case is different and that everything else is the same. Those who desperately want a plastic one can call customer service and get it in late December.

The letter which spoke of these events was by the Nintendo of Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) but there's a chance that it may reach other parts Europe as well. It might not stop there either, it may be a problem in North America and Japan.

The following games will be in cardboard boxes:

Super Mario 64 DS
Nintendogs Chihuahua & Friends
Nintendogs Dachshund & Friends
Nintendogs Labrador & Friends
Mario Kart DS
Animal Crossing: Wild World
Tetris DS
Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends
New Super Mario Bros.