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Xbox 360: Japanese launch sales figures

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Dec 13, 2005 10:52 am PT

More than half of initial shipment remained on shelves after two days, fewer than one game sold per console.

From a sellout at the Shibuya Tsutaya Shopping Center Xbox 360 launch party to stacks of unwanted systems piled up behind store counters, anecdotal evidence of the success or failure of Microsoft's latest attempt to get a foothold in Japan was everywhere this weekend. Today some actual numbers are trickling in.

Famitsu publisher Enterbrain has released Xbox 360 sales figures gathered by its internal research firm over the system's first two days of release. According to the report's findings, sales of Microsoft's new console have been "slightly slow" so far.

Of an estimated 159,000 units shipped to retail, Enterbrain reports that 62,135 of them were sold to customers Saturday and Sunday. However, perhaps most surprising is that Enterbrain's research found a game-to-system tie ratio of only .91, meaning that a number of people bought the system with no game at all. These numbers are by no means final, however. Another report by Media Create cited only 41,817 units being sold in the system's first two days.

According to Enterbrain, the best-selling 360 game of the weekend was Namco's Ridge Racer 6, which sold 29,891 copies. The runners-up were lagging far behind, however--Perfect Dark Zero came in second with 14,897 games sold, and Need for Speed Most Wanted took third place with 6,842 moved out the door.

Enterbrain cautions that the success of the 360 launch cannot be judged by these numbers alone, as key games developed with the Japanese market in mind, such as Dead or Alive 4 and Enchant Arm, have been delayed to later in the system's three-month "launch window." Dead or Alive 4 in particular could spur system sales; the Xbox-exclusive Dead or Alive 3 sold 217,149 units.

Comparing the 360's numbers with those of the original Xbox's 2002 launch in Japan, the 360 appears to be lagging a bit behind. In its first weekend, the Xbox reportedly sold 123,929 systems. While that's almost double the 360's numbers, that figure includes an extra day of sales; the Xbox launched on a Friday, while the 360 came out on a Saturday. Of more relevance is the tie ratio. The original Xbox managed to sell 1.45 games per Xbox console.

305 Comments

  • bigredman3000

    Posted Jan 15, 2007 12:18 pm GMT

    LOL

  • xatman911

    Posted Jan 13, 2007 2:08 pm GMT

    That is surprising. I guess Japanese love Wii and PS3, lol.

  • thekey

    Posted Nov 12, 2006 3:58 pm GMT

    AzatiS
    "some of u say that X360 dont need japan market to be a success cause US is strong and this and that BUT... You sure can make powerful machines like x360 but japanese sure can make FAAAAAR better console games than any US company!!! So the console that will have the most JAPANESE companies by its side will win... and this console will be PS3
    Capcom - konami - square - etc etc etc...games that will be classics and ppl will talk about for a looong time like all of us do for some classics ps or ps2 games!!
    That is why X360 go bad and only that!! Give ppl good next generation games not bad ones!!and u agree or not most of these games r made by japanese so US (x360) need japan ... gl hf "

    Your thinking is so outdated.

  • AzatiS

    Posted Jun 2, 2006 6:20 pm GMT

    some of u say that X360 dont need japan market to be a success cause US is strong and this and that BUT... You sure can make powerful machines like x360 but japanese sure can make FAAAAAR better console games than any US company!!! So the console that will have the most JAPANESE companies by its side will win... and this console will be PS3
    Capcom - konami - square - etc etc etc...games that will be classics and ppl will talk about for a looong time like all of us do for some classics ps or ps2 games!!
    That is why X360 go bad and only that!! Give ppl good next generation games not bad ones!!and u agree or not most of these games r made by japanese so US (x360) need japan ... gl hf

  • AzatiS

    Posted Jun 2, 2006 6:08 pm GMT

    All is about software which means GAMES!!!
    Tell me a new generation game for x360 that will make u say "wow,thats something different from all games i have seen"
    I guess non at the moment..So tell me a reason to buy X360??Cause is powerful or cause is MS?? naaaaah
    Weve seen so many games for PS3 that really ARE "next generation" ,so
    why to buy X360 and dont have patience for some months to really play some cool ng games !! Thats the reason why x360 didnt sell good,not only in japan im afraid!!

  • thekey

    Posted Mar 11, 2006 9:19 am GMT

    I personally think the PS3 is going to fail or if not it will be a big disapointment. Poeple are going to get it thinking it's going to be way better only to realize that it's not going to look better nor have better games than the 360. I don't realy know for sure but we do know that 360 did not fail, it is a success and it did it with out HALO or Gears of War. We got DOA 4, Burnout revenge, And incrediable version of fight night round 3, Call of Duty 2(the 360 version) is still in the top 10 sales charts and the outstanding Ghost Recon 3(GRAW) And the numders for the 360 are up big time. So one's laughing now Sony's sweating bullets. It may have failed in Japan but its doing good everywhere else so let the games and the sales talk........

  • nonoyawns

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 2:25 pm GMT

    why does microsoft care so much about japan?! it isnt the maijor gaming nation that it used to be. American gaming has exploded. now, i will adress some comments made:
    "the jappanesse are just not used to microsoft"
    well they sure got used to the ps1 fast. if you ask me, trying to sell american games to japan is a waste of games.
    "this is no supries; its what I have been saying!!!"
    it isnt a suprise. and thats a wonderful predection mrs. cleo. ur probably the only 1 in the world who thought that!*sarcasm*
    "ship some of those consoles over here!"
    i live in a big city, and our target gets 4 360's every morning. if you want so bad, do what i did and go there b4 u go to work. Shipping the consolse would caust a lot and would end up a waste.
    "DOA4 will save the system"
    as much as i would like to believe this, i dont think one game can save a console. dont get me wrong, i love this game and i love my xbox 360, but stubborness is a large obstacle to over come.

    in conclusion: give up on that once great gaming nation. its garbage now. its only about 30% of the market. Microsoft should focus on North America and Europe. thanks 4 reading.

  • boolow407

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 5:11 am GMT

    I own a 360,along with a PS2,I also plan on getting a Revolution and PS3.Ive also been to many countries in Asia and it all comes down to this-Japanese gamers are interested in different games.Over there,arcades still exist!Look at the Nintendo DS and PSP.Totally different systems.One markets to the portable DVD carrying Americans,while the other is a huge hit in Japan.Nintendo got it right by also appealing to US gamers with the DS,while releasing Japanese favorites for it in Japan.If Microsoft ever wants to win the Japanese markets here is a clue-exercize your brain!(See game informer magazines top ten sellers in Japan)Continue to pump out the Halo's etc, but have a looky at whats considered popular gaming in Japan.Who knows,their style might catch on here in America,giving everyone a win win situation.DS did it with Nintendogs.The Japanese had enough hack em,slash em,kill em.My prediction of the next gen gaming console war?Beware of that little company called Nintendo and the system called Revolution.For those that are a little slow,revolution means change.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 8:38 pm GMT

    losers. m$ i mean, not japanese gamers . they are the clear winners here lol REVOLUTION !!!

  • cyprus646

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 7:32 pm GMT

    SHIP some of those unused xbox 360's over here we need them PLZ I BEG OF U !!!! PETER MOORE PLEASE HELP US POOR AMERICANS OUT !!!!!

  • ajadoniz

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 4:36 pm GMT

    MS is not dead in Japan... just wait and see. just wait... a little longer... no, a little longer... longer... wait for it... longer. it'll be a while, come back for the next next gen.

  • thekey

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 4:06 pm GMT

    Everbodies complaining now but once there plentiful and once gears of war halo3 and a few others come out there won't be much talk of failure.

  • Dark_Link142

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:57 pm GMT

    And it doesn't have to do with America and Japan. Japanese are still not familiar with the Microsoft and the Xbox so they need to get used to it. But Microsofts decision to sell it at Japan does seem kind of desparate. So please stop making remarks due to America and Japan that's rather racist and annoying.

  • Dark_Link142

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:54 pm GMT

    So saw it coming. Maybe they'll make better sales later on. Kinda doubt it though. That poll that said "Do you think the Xbox 360 will sell in Japan?" Or something like that. Ironically, loads of people said that Sony and Nintendo have that island locked down. Lol. So did I!

  • elchulo413

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 5:55 am GMT

    i wonder what is going to happen when ps3 comes out. its most likely going to be sold out in japan

  • rob3nelson

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 11:44 pm GMT

    With Japan's economy still in the doldrums (after 20 years) when are American companies going to realize we don't need Japan any more. Their day has come and gone. America must move on. I went to an Electrical Engineering school in Texas. It was half Japanese. The Japanese are great engineers. They just don't have as much acumen at business as we presume to do. We should know better. If we refuse to sell XBox 360s to Japan, after a while, they'll begin to become curious, wanting to know why everyone else in the world is buying the 360. Thst's when Microsoft should strike (by selling to Japan), not before. Microsoft's move seems desperate to me and looks weak. What Japan doesn't realize, though, is how much money American companies have. to burn. They think that if they don't buy Microsoft will go broke. They continually underestimate American products, when American companies developed all the technology they only produce, never develop themselves. America should look strong by witholding its precious goods from Japanese markets. Then, Japan will beg for them, not before.

  • garhart

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 5:00 pm GMT

    Send the extras here to the US!!! We need them here since the PS3 is going to be delayed again...

  • Omega-Protoman

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:52 pm GMT

    Well that's too bad, but I don't think anyone, including microsoft, ever thought it would sell out at launch.

  • garcia12199

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:41 pm GMT

    cause japan people are sony fans dont worry ther going to own in us

  • brownknight

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 12:11 pm GMT

    bring the left overs here to the U.S

  • h2887

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 6:54 am GMT

    lol well i guess once again japan is not interested in microsofts gaming products at all because they have sony which has been there primary gaming company for years before xbox came around

  • pvtvaladez

    Posted Jan 2, 2006 2:03 pm GMT

    LLOOOOOL!!!! MS dont know what they are doing

  • acooknamedmike

    Posted Jan 2, 2006 1:19 am GMT

    btw - Tsutaya is not a Shopping Center. They are a CD and DVD rental company like Blockbuster. They sell a few electronics, but they don't even rent video games. That's music CD's and DVDs....rentals!

  • acooknamedmike

    Posted Jan 2, 2006 1:15 am GMT

    I remember on launch day in Japan I was working and therefore in 3 different areas of Tokyo. There were special kiosks set up in Yurakucho and especially Akihabara. No one was lining up, though. In fact, the only people I saw carrying an xbox360 home were the foriegners! It would be easier to just realize that the Japanese don't have faith in American products. Sony is their little darling. I haven't even seen an American made TV here (do they even make RCA anymore?). It's just too bad Microsoft neglected their surefire sales markets to try and get a foothold here (Japan). That may even hurt them more next generation if they don't do something about it (disgruntled gamers never forget, you know). You can be sure that the Sony and Nintendo Marketing Departments are watching and learning intently.

  • Legendaryscmt

    Posted Jan 1, 2006 12:31 pm GMT

    Wow, never saw that one comming Microsoft, GG! ^_^

  • FFDickeyX

    Posted Jan 1, 2006 9:53 am GMT

    DOA4 + 360 < PS3 + TEKKEN + VIRTUA FIGHTER, and also, who is gonna buy a 400 system if they like 1 game every 3 months? Also, if DOA4 is so important, then they wanna prob play online, and they dont wanna pay $60 a year for online when they can play PS3 for free. And when u think that ps3 is gonna have Unreal 07, NO POINT WHATSOEVER to buy a 360...even in America, halo fanboys. lol, halo.

  • metalgearsoild

    Posted Jan 1, 2006 12:38 am GMT

    the long term idea is not working and it is a stupid that they are slioing a little at a time. and people are geating mad as hell.

  • PeaceEasy

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 8:55 pm GMT

    Why didnt they keep some of them units in the US and make there money when they can?!?!

  • krs_bg

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 3:58 pm GMT

    I think only Microsoft is surprised about the abysmal sales figures. :-)
    They simply did not do their homework and now are paying the price for it.
    I doubt that Dead or Alive 4 or even a half dozen games with the mass appeal of DOA can push the Xbox 360 past the PS3 or the Revolution in Japan.

  • davexia

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 1:31 pm GMT

    Someone at MS should be fired. They wanted to launch in Japan no matter what, even though they had no good games worth buying and lackluster interest. All the while, there aren't even close to enough units in the US, which is their biggest market. Now, they've managed to embarrass themselves in Japan and the US. Congratulations, Microsoft. You guys are idiots!

  • Atarii

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 12:02 pm GMT

    Fewer than one game sold for each consle? Ouch! MS needs to pull there act together to over take Sony in Japan.... an early launch won't help if they can't sell their system.... I guess I'll just enjoy my 360 here in NorthAmerica.

  • Raiko101

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 10:16 am GMT

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

  • Raiko101

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 10:16 am GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • blacktwister

    Posted Dec 31, 2005 8:15 am GMT

    It's a damn shame. I hope nint and sony can make up for microsoft sort comings. I don't blame the 360 i blame micosoft with it's less than impressive lunch.

  • Rumbold

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 7:57 pm GMT

    The Japanese like RPGs, turned based strategy, adventure, and quirky games. The Xbox on the other hand has mainly FPS, fighting, and racing games. There is no reason to believe that the Xbox 360 will venture far from the latter.

  • conkersbat

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 7:09 pm GMT

    For gosh sakes why are the Japs so NEGATIVE towards American games? It seems they buy only locally developed games and screw all the other ones.

  • leon106

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 4:36 pm GMT

    poor msft.....at least they tried

  • Unrealgamer20

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 3:20 pm GMT

    Hmmmm..Noone saw that coming

  • homegirl2180

    Posted Dec 29, 2005 8:41 am GMT

    Well now I finally got to see what I wanted, a 360 vs. Xbox launch sales comparison. Man, I could've sworn it would've done better than the original Xbox. Not like anyone expected the 360 to do all that well over there, but I expected it to do better than the Xbox. I guess we'll have to wait for Enchant Arm and DOA4.

  • somejobro

    Posted Dec 28, 2005 1:35 pm GMT

    My preorder was delayed indefinetely too,so I cancelled it.I was only getting it for Oblivion anyhow,which is delayed.In the meantime I have all that preorder money in my pocket.I have no problem waiting until the games I want are out before buying one.All that aside though,this was a botched launch.

  • marconiusrex

    Posted Dec 28, 2005 12:58 pm GMT

    having pre-ordered a 360 on July 31st, and then getting a recorded message saying My system would not be available nov 22nd, I was a bit perturbed to say the least. when i called babbages, they said it would be a little after christmas. Called on them again, and now it's sometime after the end of january. It serves microsoft right to try and hog the world markets so close together. They should take care of ALL of the North American marketplace FIRST, and let the chips fall where they may in Japan and Europe. I am afraid a lot of loyal XBOX gamers may be so pissed off, that they just may switch platforms...... Any thoughts on this issue ???? Peace

  • Willdyer10

    Posted Dec 28, 2005 12:51 pm GMT

    well i saw that one coming

  • darkslider99

    Posted Dec 28, 2005 5:48 am GMT

    Wait wait wait...you mean the japanese just didn't buy a system because it had good graphics like half the idiots over here???SHOCKING

  • neversummer

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 9:45 pm GMT

    Hmmm... with the 360 launch Microsoft managed to disappoint and piss-off folks on both sides of the Pacific.

  • NERDSFOREVER

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 9:10 pm GMT

    why dont they bring all the unwanted systems from japan back to america that would make more sense

  • wmassie21

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 5:49 pm GMT

    Oh, well than how do you explain it? Americans bought the system because they are stupid, but those smart rice-loving japanese people are too smart to waste their money? Japanese people don't like American systems.

  • dawooten

    Posted Dec 27, 2005 7:28 am GMT

    microsoft should have those 360s in the US.

  • deanvog

    Posted Dec 26, 2005 7:54 pm GMT

    Well these japs are probably looking forward to their ps3 made in their country = cheaper=earlier realease of games.=Probably cheaper games

  • dragonblad3

    Posted Dec 26, 2005 5:17 pm GMT

    lol, Halo3, dont make me laugh. halo 2 was suck like cr@P but halo 1 was really good.

    PS: i telling the truth the only reason MS didn;t sell out much in Jap. cos they don't like XBOX. i am not lieing either, cos i got r lots of JAP friend. i live in australia. they all tell me that. so yeah. and seriouly how Dumb MS can get release 360 in JAP. so they can try to beat SONY market. which is not going to happen. JAP is the world of TECHnology. and i think they noe which technology is good or bad. example this, IPOD ( i think is make by USA) which likely the most only thing that popolar in JAP. and i agree with that one. IPOD is really good Technology.

    sorry about my spelling n crap. TOOO MCUH WORK FOR ME.. my feel dizzy

  • tjel

    Posted Dec 26, 2005 11:22 am GMT

    Dont know why you lot who are laughing at this think this is funny, but it's not, becasue when HALO 3 hits the scenes we will see who has the last laugh. So there!

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