Microsoft to sell cheaper Xbox in Japan

[RuinedMessiah]

Considering the thing is being outsold by an abandoned console (Gamecube) in Japan, I don't think this will save em. Not the bundle (Core with 2 games for about $250), not DOAX2, and not bargain pricing the thing. At this point, 360's salvation lies solely in the hands of Mistwalker. At least, in Japan it does...

[EnlightenedPixel]

Hm, Im going to have to say that theres a 'slim' chance that selling a cheaper Xbox isnt going to effect the sales of the Rev and PS3 in Japan. And By slim, I mean practacly none.

Lets face the facts, this is Japan they're talking about, Japan's gamer base is very loyal to Sony and Nintendo, probably more with Nintendo than Sony, and Microsoft hasn't realy done well over there at all.

This of course doesn't mean Microsoft is bad, but its been implied that Microsoft is seen as somewhat of an unwanted infiltrator into the console gaming world. And being that 2 (once 3) of the major console developers are Japan based, I dont personaly see Japans usual technology buying trends supporting many more sales of 360's when the PS3 and Wii come out. Even the PSP which has been highly critisized as a waste of money sold over a million copies in japan, 360 is only in the 150k+ area.

Then again, I'm not psychic.

[Signal2Noise]

If the Xbox had more wierdly named exclusive game titles such as "Jet Gear Coconut Monkey Boy" then perhaps they would sell more consoles in Japan.

[Signal2Noise]

Double post due to slow CGTalk server.

[PhilOsirus]

But Blue Dragon has been in Famitsu' top 10 most wanted games, which is likely to help sell 360s whenever it is finally released it.

[SheepFactory]

If the Xbox had more wierdly named exclusive game titles such as "Jet Gear Coconut Monkey Boy" then perhaps they would sell more consoles in Japan.

Thanks for the laugh :D

[ndat]

He brings up a good point though. The Xbox and its games are just not relivant to their culture.

[Signal2Noise]

He brings up a good point though. The Xbox and its games are just not relivant to their culture.

10 points to ndat! That is exactly what I was hinting at. :)

[BinarySoup]

meanwhile, japanese video game culture doesn't have much problem attracting western gamers. it's been doing it in the home since the NES, and long before that in the arcades. then we have the tamaguchi, pokemon etc.

[PhilOsirus]

That is probably thanks in part to the fact that we were mostly "raised" on Japanese games (and in some cases, especially in France, raised on Japanese cartoons, which just happens to be the European country that has the most similar taste in games to Japan if you look at the top selling games). Western games were much fewer, especially on successful consoles like the NES and SNES.


A small example (not a scientific fact mind you;) :

France, week 20 to 26 of August:

1. New Super Mario Bros. (DS - Nintendo)
2. Animal Crossing : Wild World (DS - Nintendo)
3. Programme d'Entraînement Cérébral du Dr Kawashima : quel âge a votre cerveau ? (DS - Nintendo)
4. Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories (PS2 - Rockstar)
5. Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends Edition (DS - Nintendo)
6. Mario Kart DS (DS - Nintendo)
7. Pro Evolution Soccer 5 Platinium (PS2 - Konami)
8. Cérébrale Académie (DS - Nintendo)
9. Pirates des Caraïbes : La Légende de Jack Sparrow (PS2 - Ubisoft)
10. Formula One 2006 (PS2 - Sony)

Japan, same week (and no this is not the top 10 DS games, it just happened to be all DS games that week):

1. Final Fantasy III - NDS
2. New Super Mario Bros. - NDS
3. Rune Factory - NDS
4. More DS Brain Training - NDS
5. Nintendo DS Talking Cooking Navi - NDS
6. Tamagotchi Connexion Corner Shop 2 - NDS
7. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 - NDS
8. Animal Crossing : Wild World – NDS
9. Programme d'Entraînement Cérébral du Dr Kawashima : quel âge a votre cerveau ? – NDS
10. English Training - NDS

Uk, same week:

1. Cars (THQ)
2. Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories (Take 2)
3. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
4. Les Sims 2 (Electronic Arts)
5. Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Konami)
6. Programme d'Entraînement Cérébral du Dr Kawashima : quel âge a votre cerveau ? (Nintendo)
7. Animal Crossing : Wild World (Nintendo)
8. Ninety-Nine Nights (Microsoft)
9. Star Wars : Battlefront 2 (Lucasarts)
10. Need For Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)

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