Xbox 360 interest tops Revolution at TGS 2005

  • By Hirohiko Niizumi, GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 30, 2005 11:44 am PT

Annual survey shows Microsoft making mindshare headway with Japanese gamers, but still trailing Sony by a wide margin.

TOKYO--Despite a disappointing showing in Japan with the original Xbox, it appears that Microsoft is making progress in establishing a presence with gamers in the Far East. A survey of Tokyo Game Show 2005 visitors indicated that interest in Microsoft's Xbox 360 was higher than the Nintendo Revolution.

The report was conducted by the TGS host Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association (CESA), which found that 23 percent of surveyed visitors said they were looking forward to picking up the Xbox 360. While that figure doesn't come close to that of Sony's PlayStation 3, which caught the interest of 70 percent of surveyed showgoers, it did beat out Nintendo's Revolution, which only garnered interest from 20.9 percent of those surveyed.

CESA's report neglected to mention that the Xbox 360 was the only playable next-generation console during TGS 2005, which could well have factored into the survey's results. Another likely influence on the figures was Nintendo's unveiling of the gyroscopic Revolution controller during a TGS keynote speech.

The survey also revealed other figures that reflect the taste of Japanese hardcore gamers (or at least, the kind interested enough to visit a game show). When asked which currently available game machines they wanted, the top three picks were all new handhelds. The PSP ranked first with 35.7 percent of the surveyed gamers hoping to purchase it, followed by the Nintendo DS (13.7 percent) and Game Boy Micro (9.7 percent).

Nearly 60 percent of the surveyed visitors said that the body colors of game consoles are a "very" or "fairy" important factor. With multiple answers allowed, the top color of choice was black at 47 percent, followed by white (26.9 percent) and silver (23.5 percent). Surprisingly, color models based on old consoles such as the Famicom weren't too popular, with only 10.2 percent reporting an interest in them.

Another peek at Japanese gamers' attitudes toward the next generation of systems came earlier this year with a July survey conducted by marketing research company Infoplant. That survey showed 60 percent of polled Japanese gamers were most looking forward to the PlayStation 3, with 8 percent most eager for the Revolution, and only 2 percent reporting greatest interest in the Xbox 360.

CESA's TGS 2005 survey was taken from a sample of 1,084 visitors between the ages of 10 to 49 (male: 80.4 percent, female: 19.6 percent). Detailed figures are available in CESA's TGS 2005 visitor's survey report, which is available at the organization's official site.

125 Comments

  • doffythebest

    Posted Jan 15, 2006 11:40 am PT

    Oh will you just shut up with that c**p about Ninty should go the Sega-way! It makes me vomit! Of course if they don't sell enough REV consoles they should go that way, but they shouldn't give up that easy!!

  • DrinkDuff

    Posted Jan 13, 2006 5:51 pm PT

    "When asked which currently available game machines they wanted, the top three picks were all new handhelds. The PSP ranked first with 35.7 percent of the surveyed gamers hoping to purchase it, followed by the Nintendo DS (13.7 percent) and Game Boy Micro (9.7 percent)."

    It is probably because 80% of the entire Japanese population already owns a Nintendo DS.

  • living_wmd_888

    Posted Jan 12, 2006 12:41 am PT

    Demoniac, Microsoft HATES competition, and they are not innovative. Their products are buggy and prone to malfunction. That's what's wrong with American industry. Our industrial leaders, including Gates, have no pride in workmanship. And besides, Japanese companies make more products in the US. Hondas are made in plants in Indiana, and Fords are made in plants in Mexico. PS2 game discs are made in the US, and Xbox discs are made in Mexico. I'd rather put money in the pocket of an American worker than an American CEO.

  • microwaveman

    Posted Jan 11, 2006 10:01 pm PT

    woot!

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 8:23 am PT

    Look... everything is in the games. No games no deal. You can have the most powerfull video-game system and have the crapiest games. The xbox never convinced me and I could never understand why after having so much money and such a big company with computers and operating system bill gates has to come to video console department to destroy the japanise competicion between nintendo, sony and sega. I know that most people think that nintendo is going to die. But who was the first company to develope anything? The 1st game that was ever 3d on a console it was on super nintendo with the star fox. The 1st "360" direcction movement on a 3d world on a console was Mario 64 on the N64. The first console with analog control and rumble features was nintendo. (and then sony copied).

    Now Rev comes with this new type of gaming device.
    WHO WILL COPY WHO NOW?

  • limpbizkit818

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:02 pm PT

    iam surprised, i am very intrested in the Rev. even if nintendo fails with this and stops making systems, they will always run the handheld market.

  • Kaji_ryoji

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:00 pm PT

    No se por que alaban al "Revolution" si no se sabe mucho de el ,hasta ahora Hay ke darle Al rey Lo ke es del Rey ,la Xbox 360, despues veremos ke pasaran kuando lleguen el ps3 y el Revolution ahi empezará la batalla....asi ke no me expliko los llorikeos ,pero insisto mientras ke exista sonic en kualkier konsola ahi estaremos los Fans De Sonic

    Sonic 4 ever

  • karzon89

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 11:30 am PT


    wildsimulation
    i think people are idiots. nintendo is not dead and will kill everyone, they shouldnt make games for ps3 or 360. when the revolution has more info people will want it. ds is better than psp by far and this whole thing is opioniated! (select an action below) ______________ Report Abuse To Moderator Posted 12/01/2005 2:02pm
    this whole thing is opinionated! But this person seems to have a pretty big opinion too. DS isnt necessarily better than the PSP even though i like the DS very much

  • SolidYuna_2004

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 10:28 am PT

    look i lived in japan for 5 years and i know that some of them might turn to an xbox 360 . . . but they will always love there playstation no matter what

  • DFTricks

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 10:09 am PT

    For me it definitly sounds like it

  • 8aihu

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 10:01 am PT

    360 an HD multimedia machine? Without the HD-DVD support out of the box it's hard to believe your getting your HD's worth...Sony will make those outrageous claims (built-in router, 120fps, 10 years longevity), but at least their machine will be HD ready from the start....Nintendo has created lots of hype, interest, and curiosity. Now it's on them to deliver or dig an even deeper whole with the public's perceptions.

  • cross-dark-fire

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 9:12 am PT

    Three letters s e x......crap i meant p s 3

  • lilweightlifter

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 8:59 am PT

    I am eventually going to get both - the 360 and revolution - so it doesn't really matter to me.

  • mmjm

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 8:02 am PT

    You know I own a PS2, Xbox, and Game Cube. It amazes me at how many people bash this system or that system, etc. However it baffles me at how the only thing that matters is the old, "What do the Japanese think?"

    Look guys Japan is not the whole world, what is the U.S. consumer and Europeans saying? I do have more titles for Sony than the other two, but I buy a game for the sake of the game, not the console itself.

    Believe me folks, I would enjoy kickin it with contra, castlevania, metal gear for the NES any day.

    MS put out a smoking machine, that is crashing and freezing. Glitches that will get fixed. It may happen to Sony as well, who knows. Nintendo needs to get better titles and quit putting out so many titles for todlers, but hey man the kiddies need games to

  • iori666

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 7:32 am PT

    nintendo needs to let go. They are on denial stage and saying theyre doing another route. thats denial.

  • kenshigt

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 7:30 am PT

    Buenisimo ahora, solo queda esperar que ofrece Sony.

  • ufopuller

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 7:15 am PT

    Will soon be one big company

  • BigD85

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 6:54 am PT

    Breakout 911 the only reason Sony hasn't died yet is because Sony's pockets are deeper than a black hole

  • YonSon

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 6:03 am PT

    I hope nintendo doesn't fail nintendo will go out of bussiness I like nintendo what they shuold have do with the game cube is do what they did with the nintendo 64 make really good games (legend of zelda, mario 64, donkey kong 64 ect.)insted of all this really little kid crap little kids can't tell the differnce beteween what there playing but the main consumer can...

  • moua_nazarite

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:48 am PT

    First of all Blu Ray discs hold more storage meaning that you can put a butt load of things in, like story, easter eggs, longer game, more expanding of play style and etc. Oh yeah and people should care about what system they want cause you want the best for you buck. I hope Nintendo does great! I love them, 360 is ok it does have the best online!, but Sony will destroy and believe me it will. Total new system not just graphics but other things that are real next gen. For example real time shown means the PS3 can run game play at that rate, bluetooth for more wireless and easier to add future things like psp as a controller to controll the metal gears in MGS4, and eye toy 2 where you can actually interact with games with your hands, mouth, and etc.

  • Shadow_Runner

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:52 am PT

    I believe that only time will tell on any of these next-gen consoles. The early games of any new console, which are great at the time, barely tap the systems potential. In the end it'll be a year down the road when developers figure out how to get more out of the systems, that we (or at least I) will be able to tell which system is better, or more accurately better for my taste of games.

  • Kingadam21

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 8:52 pm PT

    It's funny to me the same arguments...I think the only intelligent people here are the ones who know to wait and actually play the games for each system. I hear blu ray disc's for PS3 and it's power...WHO CARES...are the games going to be good? I heard somewhere Nintendo isn't innovative...but yet who ripped off the rumble pack and who actually changes their console name and try different controllers? I hear a lot about Xbox 360 bombing in Japan...WHO CARES what does that have to do with us here in America? You crazy kids keep arguing about nothing I'll wait and play each system...then I'll make up my mind.

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 8:40 pm PT

    Many ppl think that the PS3 is Better then the 360, well PS3 isnt out yet and the 360 has been out for a week, we wont know till the time comes which system is better, but in my opinion, the 360 has the potential to be a great and powerful system and xbox live will help it change the way of gaming.

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 8:32 pm PT

    Sure playing with Japanses gamers might be cool (If they speak English) But is it really worth goin to Japan and Europe in the same month? american Gamers are suffering enough without the system they have been waiting for, so forget Japan and Europe for like 2 weeks and get some more xbox 360's into American Hands (Not saying UK and Japan shouldnt get em, but its an American System and Americans want them, BAD)

  • a_dirty_hippie

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 7:40 pm PT

    i own all the systems. ps2 my fav by far followed by xbox then the good ole cube. people say that the only reason sony is leading in japan is because thats its mother land. and Americans should invest in microsoft. because it will increase our economy. two words out sourcing. mexico and india. hell fords chevy's are all outsourced and just assembled here. anywho i think this was a very smart and stupid move for microsoft. shure they are going to get lots of japaness attention and may make a little money but as soon as sony launches its next-gen i think that microsoft will lose most all of its japanese support.

  • Edward1211

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 7:29 pm PT

    Every console is going to win in some areas and others are going to fail in them. I would like to see the PS3 bring thoughs graphics in real time game play but I know it probably won't happen so I'm probably going to stick to the 360 for now until the rev. comes out. There's no way I'm going to pay freakin $500 bucks for a freakin PS3. 360 will probably win because of the cool games that are going to come out, especially gears of war and saint's row.

  • joyer

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 7:07 pm PT

    heahhaehaeha to be honest the only reason mostve anyone i knew who brought first playstations and then xboxs and ps2s were because they could play ripped games... i know this dosnt count for alot of people but that is why nintendo is still viable they do not lose out to piracy... well everyone does but its hits sony and microsoft the most.
    im glad to hear that the revolution will be keeping a similar game coding system to gamecube apart from its obvious cheapness, cause nintendo have stated lately that by reducing the amount of time and money needed to produce super games has stifled creativity and pretty much forced smaller coding houses to fold or make imitations of whatever will sell. and its true i read somewhere itll take a few million to make a decent game for the next generation consoles... and a year to do that. hopefully the revolutions controller and cheap production costs will encourage more people to try new things..

  • El_platanaso

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 6:28 pm PT

    i wish nintendo could just make games for the xbox and playstation

  • dossaer

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 5:36 pm PT

    Another poster said it well when they wrote that competition is healthy. We need different systems to cater for different tastes and to ensure that the companies making games/consoles are trying their hardest. The winners at the end of the day will be gamers.

    Good luck to all three!

  • Talgrath

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 5:35 pm PT

    Interesting piece of info. I wonder if that will change when more info is out about the Revolution and playable demos are put out. Oh, and "fairly" was spelled incorrectly as "fairy".

  • Jubei_Hikari

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 4:18 pm PT

    I don't agree with murderusone, his comment almost made it to where you would be un-American if you didn't buy an American product. You're just as american as anyone else. So go buy your Mazdas, Toyotas, Hondas, PLAYSTATIONS, Gamecubes even that Sanyo cell phone that you use. You're not a terrorist, well at least in my eyes.

  • savage8190

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 3:52 pm PT

    "josh_b I really don't care what happens in Japan as far as consoles go. Im never going to live there and i don't know anybody from there. Microsoft is the only company that has given me a console i actually made me feel glad i bought it. The ps2 and gamecube never did that and if i could i would have returned it the next day. I believe it will be the same with this round of consoles too. So of course im going to stick with the 360 even if it tanks. "

    I completely agree with you Josh. And if sony didnt have sole rights to square, and nintendo didnt have zelda, I wouldnt even consider looking at either of those systems. xbox is the only system for me since super nintendo that I have felt was worth my time. And so far I am loving my 360, while nintendo and sony fans sit out in the cold waiting for the next gen.

  • WallaceUGBeaver

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 3:39 pm PT

    Microsoft and Sony aren't doing anything new with their systems other than updating their graphics. That's cool and all, but it's doing nothing to advance gaming. Nintendo has a new idea and a good one at that. Sure, it may not be good for some games, but that's why there's an attachment that acts as your average controller would. People are sceptical now, as that always happens with change. When the Revolution comes out, though it will be amazing. If nothing else, it'll be the best system for first-person shooters. Whoever doesn't think that is kidding themselves. The Revolution is also getting a good start by having Super Smash Bros. Revolution and Metroid Prime 3 as launch titles.

    Look at the DS. Sure, it had a rocky start and had pretty bad games compared to PSP. But now it's got tons of good games coming out one after the other. Mario Kart DS, Viewtiful Joe DS, Meteos, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Phoenix Wright, Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time and the list goes on. The Revolution will be the same, except it'll have a good start because of Nintendo's first-party support.

  • omniversal

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 3:26 pm PT

    exclusivity will when this war. who come out with the best first party games will be the ultimate winner .

  • PRGundam91

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 2:32 pm PT

    wow karaam u are obviously one of those ignorant people that only bought the ps2 and insisted it was better than the xbox. the xbox was an all-around better system than bvoth the gamecube and the ps2. I would know because i bought all three.

  • wildsimulation

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 2:02 pm PT

    i think people are idiots. nintendo is not dead and will kill everyone, they shouldnt make games for ps3 or 360. when the revolution has more info people will want it. ds is better than psp by far and this whole thing is opioniated!

  • Karaam

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 1:54 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Demoniac69

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 1:52 pm PT

    Exactly bluegoose2021, why all the support for just one system??? Since when were more choices ever a bad thing? The same goes for greater competition to possibly drive prices down... the cornerstone of a capitalist economy and the foundation of America. It's ridiculous to hope for a monopoly of one system, then all we will have are the games for that system and any sort of competitive innovation goes by the wayside.

  • bluegoose2021

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 1:40 pm PT

    Now i like almost every system to of come out in the last 7 years, but the thing that is pissing me off about there 'next-gen' gaming systems is all the bad publicity, instead of being "hey, I've got a 360 and i like it" and someone else saying "thats cool, i have a ps3 and its got some good games" "cool", everyone is acting "i have a 360 and" "screw you noob, 360 is for chinese hookers with only one eye you dumb fu** ps3 = 1337 h@x0r !!!!"
    people are just acting too stupid about all of this, the systems are all going to be good in their own right and appeal to different sects of people, so to quote Bob Marly "Don't worry, Be happy"

  • SystemLord187

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 1:00 pm PT

    We all know that the only reason for this is because Nintendo has shown jack about the revolution, hardly any games have been talked about and no games have actally been shown. By next TGS this poll will be very different.

  • smokey_77

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 12:54 pm PT

    i thought the ps3 was easier to make games for than the ps2

  • Articuno76

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 11:35 am PT

    Given that the japanese have only seen controller that is a lot of competition, the fact that they got a hands on with the 360 obviously came off positive on them.

    Nintendo going a SEGA is daft though, if you looked at the earnings you'd realise they are doing better than they seem to be, even if on the store front things seem bad...also remember that the NRV download service it going to be HUGE for China and Korea, as the iQue shows. And again, Nintendos non-gamer approach has worked so far with Nintendogs (despite the bulky hardware).

  • zeldamaster643

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 11:28 am PT

    I dont understand the ps3 and xbox 360 fanboys. "Nintendo should do like sega" man that saying is old. NINTENDO IS STILL IN THE RUNNING. the only reason that xbox 360 had a higher % is because its already out and people have played it while the revolution is still in work and theres nothing even announced yet. Nintendo can pass xbox 360 when both are out. mark my words

  • Splincir

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 11:05 am PT

    I honestly don't think this article is "fairy" important or relevant.

  • Genetic34

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 10:59 am PT

    Hey have people forgot? nintendo is taking longer to bring out there console while the ps3 and xbox have been sluggin it out nintendo has just waited and then will bring out a better system than the PS3 and xbox there watin to strike with better hardware lol funny but true mark my words nintendo will rise again although i must say i'm not a big nintendo fan at all just saying the facts hehe

  • ArmoredAshes

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 10:29 am PT

    Death 919 has a point about games getting shorter..but thats not really whats on discussion here. Those numbers up there for the percentages are outstanding. but im surprised that revolution isnt higher. nintendo is definately still a force to be reckoned with...so sony and microsft had better watch themselves....any ways ill prolly have all 3...as long as the PS3 doesnt cost some insane price

  • rragnaar

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 10:11 am PT

    I bet that the revolution is going to do very well. I buy all the systems eventually. I am getting the PS3 first, and after that I think the Revolution will be so easy to afford, that I will have to pick it up. I think for most people they will get their Sony or MS system, and pick up a Revolution on the side.
    As far as the PSP being dead, I don't think so, if anything it is going to go crazy here in the next year. As the current generation dies off, fewer games are going to be ported over to the PSP from the consoles, and more original games will be made for the system.
    Also, with next-gen development costs being high, I think the PSP will be a great option for smaller developers. I bet you that the PSP sales will go through the roof when the present generation of consoles die off completely here in a few months.
    As far as buying American goes.... shut up, sure I guess it is good to support American car manufacturers, or whatever, but videogames, and consoles, are very much about your personal taste, and what you enjoy. I for one like Japanese games, and cars, and shouldn't feel guilty for supporting the businesses that I like. I'm sure that Microsoft is well on their way to being able to compete with Sony and Nintendo on their own turf, but it isn't this gen, and that survey probably doesn't reflect how people feel now, seeing as how the 360 is launching with like 5 games in Japan.(for the record, I like Xbox360 just fine, I just don't like how they are handling the launch)

  • thekey

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 9:41 am PT

    So true so right How could you call an AMERICAN and not respect and or support its products, I am the proud owner of a 94 cultlass supreme I've had it for 5 years and it hasn't failed me yet!

    Xbox 360 rule this decade!!! Sony's alright but I prefer XBOX over it, and as long as its here I always will.

  • boyblob

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 9:23 am PT

    I have been a life long fan of Nintendo. However it's time I part ways with them. I'm just not into their revolution. The 360 has games I'm really interested in and the controller is so smooth that I can't wait to use it again. I still respect Nintendo and I know they will have some gamazing games but I just don't care anymore.

  • coltACP

    Posted Dec 1, 2005 9:14 am PT

    meh see what happens, revolution seems like a fun idea to me, the xbox 360 seems to be a fairy reasonable step forward in technology.the PS3 is theone i find hard to understand, they are making it harder for developers to develope games so sony are pretty much giving up the only thing which keeps them popular which is volume of games, as itll take more than a year to code proper games for the thing.
    Xbox uses existing Pc code for most of its stuff so will improve as time goes by as coders get better with that current stuff(they still learnin), an revolution uses the older GC code an engine which again means theyll be able to crank out games quicker(sumthing which nintendo is slowly getting better at). Thisll probably meana switcharound for volume of games as long as nintendo can sequre enough interest with developers but as its cheap to develope for lots o peeps will have a crack at it. The reason GC games dont get made or released is it wasnt seen as profitable due to rising developement costs and intial coverage of the actual console, so its a fairy wise move to go cheap and dependable/easy to access rather than stretch to go super power again like the n64.
    The PS3 i see as this generations n64(so will have some awesome titles on it) the xbox as kinda a reliable underdog(steady stream of popular games) and revolution as a bit different(hopefully with a steady stream of alternative games).Anyway thats my two pence worth bash it if ya like.

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