Microsoft unveils core 360 PGR3, 99 Nights bundle...in Japan

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Sep 8, 2006 10:45 am PT

Battle of the boxes heats up in Nippon as Microsoft offers cheaper, hard-driveless model across with two games for $255.

Microsoft Japan today took steps to bolster its foothold in the Japan marketplace by announcing it is bringing the cheaper Xbox 360 to the country. The new model will go for 29,800 yen ($255), $85 less than the current 39,785 (around $340) premium model.

Microsoft is playing up the move as a price drop, since previously there was only one 360 package available in Japan. Unlike other regions where Microsoft sold two different models--one with a hard drive and one without--the Nippon marketplace has only offered the single hard drive-equipped premium model, which costs $399 in the US.

Microsoft is offering the HDD-less 360 core package for around $44 less than the Xbox core package offered in the US. However, it is sweetening the pot even more by bundling the console with two titles from Microsoft Game Studios: the critically lauded Project Gotham Racing 3 and the not-so-acclaimed Ninety-Nine Nights.

While appealing, the new Xbox 360 bundle will need to attract many new customers if the platform is going to catch up in Japan. According to Reuters, only 158,654 Xbox 360 units have been sold in the country to date. That forms a tiny percentage of the 5 million units that have been sold worldwide through June. By contrast, NPD reports that some 2.4 million Xbox 360s have been sold in the US as of the end of August.

190 Comments

  • mslocum

    Posted Jan 14, 2007 7:48 pm PT

    Everyone talks about the consol wars in Japan. The war was over before it began. The market does not want MS and all MS can do is promote that "core" 10-20 good games and wait for the sales to peak.

    No, the issue isn't Japan, it's China and India. MS has the potential to sell more units in 1 year than they have sold in 5 years in Japan and the USA combined. This untapped market is ripe for the next step in their Economic revolution.

    Go get'em boys!!!!! BOOYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • DomovoiWasBezet

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 6:11 am PT

    Gotta love the hilarious reactions of PS fanboys here.

  • urban_bohemian

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:28 am PT

    I think some people get too caught up in these console wars and who is going to win. At the end of the last generation each console had about 20 games you just had to own, no matter how long the life span. People in Japan will eventually come round to the xbox even if it is not this generation, because in the end its about the games and just how fun they are. Capcom should be hailed for being one of the best designers and creating for all Platforms, Japanese or American. If its time to slate a console lets all join hands American, Japanese and European and laugh at the Phantom!

    Much Love

  • helios515

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    Lets see a price drop here in the US!!! I shouldn't be complaining though, since i already have my 360.

  • xawesomestx

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 5:23 pm PT

    lmao, HOW EMBARASSING! Microsoft has to sink so low just get sales! The Ps3 will sell 1/3 of the amount the xbox has in an entire year XD Talk about sad.

  • Igwababa

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 4:32 pm PT

    If MS can get a foothold in Japan then they stand a serious chance of tackling sony for the lead in the next console wars. It all depends on if MS can grow its user base substantialy and decrease Sony`s at the same time. However I cant say for sure but I wouldnt be surprised if this is the last cycle sony is on top since both Nintendo and MS is seriously stepping up their game this time around and Sony is defniantly in for a rude awakening if they keep this sloppy arrogant attitude toward their competitors.

  • mrblah00

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 1:28 pm PT

    It indeed does matter if a system is successful in Japan. Japan still makes a huge percent of games and the japanese tend to only make games for themselves and then send them to america if they feel like it. They arent going to make games for the 360 and that directly affects the 360 in america since americans still play many japanese games.

    While it may not prove life or death if a system is unsuccessful in japan, it still affects it quite a bit. A successful console in japan will never fail in other countries because of the amount of games being made for it that cater to all cultures. The 360 has mostly western games to keep it alive in western territories but without those japanese games to widen the spectrum of their customer base it can never fully take over.

    Japan doesnt have a grudge against Microsoft, they just dont like western games and they never have. All of the best 360 titles are PC games, and the PC has NEVER been a popular gaming platform in japan. Windows is just as popular in japan as it is in america so its not a matter of not being able to play the games because they have Macs or some secret japanese OS. They simply have never liked PC games at all. It makes perfect sense why they wouldnt like xbox games either.

  • Ax-Slinger

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 11:26 am PT

    I'm no expert but I'm a marketing student and look at one thing, Sony is even putting 4 times the consoles for sale at launch in North America than japan. The 360 is selling great in europe and North America, two places where gamer culture is starting to grow substancially, gamer culture has been around so long in japan that even thier own companies are pushing more systems in North America. This shows one thing to me, It no longer matters if a system is successful in Japan, it has to be successful all over the world, and I personally know alot of people, me included that have bought a 360 over a Ps3 because 360 has More games I want to play now, Its cheaper which means I can buy more games AND a Wii. The ps3 has NO rumble, sony can say whatever they want about rumble being last gen, but by not including it thier shooting themselves in the face, never mind the foot. Irregardless being successful in Japan no longer Merits weither a system is successful, its starting to show that North America is becoming the continent that determines if a system is successful and right now the 360 is doing great and there's alot of negative feedback to the ps3. it costs more, less systems, and personally all the games i want for it that are exclusive won't be out till fall/winter 2007 if not well into 2008, so why am i going to buy it when it releases and pay more? its stupid when a 360 comes with PGR3, an amazing racing game in my opinion, and has games i want now, I'm not going to say the japanese are racist or bitter because they aren't, 360 doesn't offer what they want and i get that, but Japan doesn't tell me weither i'm going to buy a 360 or not, I do, and I say, I want one, so i got one. it also doesn't determine weither the system is successful Japan doesn't = The World.

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 10:42 am PT

    In general, what ever happened to console bundle packages at release anyways? That trend died at the n64 era. NES, Genesis, SNES and such all had games with them. It takes like 2 years to get a console+game package going it seems.

  • gagan21

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 9:05 am PT

    how about making dead rsing bundle with the 360, coz dead rising is a system seller.it ll be a good bargain 4 those who dont own a 360. i got mine last month and i m enjoying it a lot especially with dead rising

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 4:44 am PT

    this is an interesting bundle. sell probably the most unpopular game console ever in japanese history and throw in a couple of sucky titles. maybe this will make the x369 fly off japanese shelves.

  • Storm82

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 12:27 am PT

    think about this you racist batches, i have a 360, i like it, and will not be getting ps3, but there are not many games that are system sellers. Pgr3 is racing, nothing compared to gt4, pgr3 is very casual. 99 nights is a crappy game, who would want this bundle? the 32 bit, 64 days of gaming were a lot better.

  • bigroy_666

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 11:53 pm PT

    I say the hell with Japan. Why even bother. The 360 line up looks just as good as the PS3s. I dithched my PS2 after i played the first xbox. I thought the games were better for it.

    The Japanese must be in to games that relate to anime cartoons and games were the male chacters look overly female. Thats there perogotive, so why shove a game system down there throat that they dont want. Focus on every country but japan. It seems to me that the Japanese have had a hate for MS since they realeased the first xbox, why I dont know. Maybe cause they feel its ok to sell us cheap eletronics that are made in sweat shops but we cant sell them quality products because I products are inferior *rolls eyes*
    Its true most japanese feel that the xbox and the xbox 360 are inferior to the playsatiton. Maybe they just dont deserve to play video games over there at all. Ms and the xbox consoles are the best Ive ever played on yet.

  • chiefmegadeth

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 11:42 pm PT

    Japan are to far up sony's a$$ to buy the 360 and there games suck so who cares about japan?
    japan's games are made for 2year olds with bright colors...
    Its selling well in the places it needs to like america/Europe/australia This is why sony can care less about pleasing there customers
    cause most dont care if they take it up the ??? from sony they will buy it anyway

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 11:25 pm PT

    That's a great offer! But I think MS will never do well in Japan.........

  • GeeverTidus

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 10:46 pm PT

    Hahaha keep trying M$!!! Whatever,as if Asians would care to buy one of those cheap xbox360... Never will xbox360 penetrate Asian Gaming market PERIOD... more than 400k xbox369 still stucked-up in shelves in japan and in major asian countries still has the same trend... Even if Blue Dragon/ Lost Oddysey will come out still it wont boost xbox360 sales here. Asians know that a lot of good RPG's will be coming out for Wii and PS3 w/c caters our taste of games... So pls STOP Dreaming M$!!!:-)

  • Pablo620

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 7:25 pm PT

    Japan wont by american product when the competition is 2 Japanese products. It just wont happen

  • taisui

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 4:05 pm PT

    VegetaMaelstrom, "Some of you here said that Dead Rising will sell units in Japan. It hasn't so far"

    WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE DEAD RISING HASN'T BEEN RELEASED IN JAPAN!!!!

  • pat25802

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 3:54 pm PT

    360=Major sucesss in USA and sucess in Europe
    Wii=Major sucess in Japan andd sucess in USA and Europe(maybe)
    PS3=Has to fight a war on two fronts MS in US and Nintendo in Japan. Probably should have not surrendered in the one territory they had the biggest chance of sucess

    Just my opinion not fact ( yet )

  • XboxIsNot360

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 2:47 pm PT

    Silly Microsoft needed to do this, but this risky gamble won't change anything. Stupid MS, you will never be successful in Japan!

  • GrimBee

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    i think im turning japanese i think im turning japanese i really think so..

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 11:07 am PT

    I need to go to japan!

  • wenbin09

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 10:36 am PT

    gosh!!! lucky japanese!!! that's a great deal!!

  • chaos_theory_09

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 9:13 am PT

    I hope this helps Microsoft gain some more market share in Japan. It sure can't hurt.

  • Shoitaan

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 4:26 am PT

    Why wouldn't they throw in Enchanted Arms in there? Good god...

  • waraga

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 4:05 am PT

    thats way cool 399$ iam geting a 360 and ps3

  • -expletive-

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 10:30 pm PT

    Bias, racism... whatever. Everyone's thinking too much. The simple fact is that the relatively small selection of XBOX360 games that are actually released in Japan are not significantly superior to what the PS2 is still putting out. This goes for concept, and sometimes, even graphics. There just aren't enough games that appeal to the Japanese public that could push them over to make the switch. (As a side note, the XBOX360's advertising campaign in Japan is totally lame. I live here, so I can attest to that.)

  • mmdevs

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 10:13 pm PT

    After everything that just went down with the PS3 being short shipped again at launch, this might be just what ms needs to gain a little bit of the market there. Sony just shot itself in the foot and now ms needs to capitalize on that mistake.

  • thekey

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 5:11 pm PT

    WTF! Does Japan get a "core" 360 with 2 games?

    There just wasting there time over there they should take care of there own(like people who actaully care about the 360) like Sony didn't.

  • chewonthestraw

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 5:08 pm PT

    y does ms even try... they're just losing money there.

  • schmonkey

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    Well after Sony screwed Japan over I wouldn't be suprised if a few more went with Xbox 360 there

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    Some of you here said that Dead Rising will sell units in Japan. It hasn't so far. Then you said all Japan needs is a JRPG and lo and behold Enchanted Arms comes out. Still no 360 frenzy. Now you same delusional people are saying just wait until Blue Dragon and Lost Oddysey ship. THEN the Japanese will buy the 360 in droves. Wake up already people, MS is failing in Japan just like it's predecessor did. I applaud MS for still trying to break into the market over there but they are just bumbling around like a bull in a china shop and begging for people to buy their 360. It's starting to get rather amusing and a touch pathetic.

  • LoWpS

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    japan is nintendo territory... ms will have trouble introducing their console there, the japanese are so used to having fun

  • wheeloftime24

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 1:08 pm PT

    you guys do understand MS is having some stellar rpgs from stellar developers coming to the 360 in japan. Blue dragon, and lost oddysey I think. That is being made from the team that started FFs. Square is also making the silpheed shooter for the 360 and it looks stellar. FF is kind of dieing off in japan, if you dont' believe me look at the lack of sales of FFXII, and that is all sony really has any more in japan is FF. The japanese fan base is in no way shape or form excited to shell out 600 dollars for a console, they are hot on the wii right now. Right now nintendo does and will have the love in japan, and ms does understand the problem, and they are addressing it. It just takes a while to produce those rpgs. You just can't push them out every year like EAS half ass games. They take time and money to develop. Ms will not stop until they win. Its just how it is, and they always have won in the end Always.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 10:09 am PT

    No, means No.

  • skyvader

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 8:59 am PT

    If the 360 can score a good shoter like the new gradius or an original shooter similar to gaires or possibly bring the thunderforce series out of retirement then it could have a chance. A few ddr and music based games couldn't hurt either. japan music video games like the old vidgrid was on the pc/jag would help. They would just be quirky enough to garner attention.

  • skyvader

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 8:43 am PT

    Japan gamers aren't into fps and rts. They like dating sims, horse race games, baseball, turnbased strategy, adventure rpgs, and shooters (shmups). there havent been very many good shooters since the dreamcast. When it died here it kept going with some great arcade shooters like zero gunner and border down. They like the more futuristic type of games instead of the realistic types we like (GTA, godfather, need for speed, tony hawk, etc). It used to be that a system available in both regions had games that never crossed the oceans. There are dozens of quirky games for the mega drive that never made it here. Same holds true for just about every other system. Sony and the original ps1 wre responsible for pushing japan content on the us and so it made companies like ms think we can do the same to them. Just we are pushing the wrong content. Sure they like mcdonalds and pepsi but those arent american brands that infringe on anything they have to counter with. Xbox is infringing on sony and nintendo (and sega) space and so they feel offended and resistant to that outside influence.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 7:51 am PT

    Microsoft is persistent as hell. But this still want move units off the shelves in Japan. The Japanese don't care about the 360.

  • devxwill

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 7:21 am PT

    This is good..I bet they will sell since there will only be 100,000 ps3' s available in japan for launch...

  • waleedarshad

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 6:19 am PT

    i dont think BLUE DRAGON can change 360s fate in japan. its a lost cause

  • ftjx

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:31 am PT

    If I was japanese I'd be biased too if not racist but luckily -I'm not so I get to play whatever I want..

  • pokemogu

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:27 am PT

    mamad_raiss:

    People who call themselves "not racist" are often racists.
    Non racists don't have to say like that.

    As a Japanese XBOX360 owner, I'm really sad that there are some fanatic XBOX360 owners in US.

  • faizali86

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:13 am PT

    thats nice. i just wish they did that everywhere else

  • mamad_raiss

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:13 am PT

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

  • mamad_raiss

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:08 am PT

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

  • ice_rocman

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 12:57 am PT

    In other news, Japan doesn't support my system so I'll call them biased and America hating. I'll just completely sidestep all the other Western things of QUALITY that they buy and say they hate us.

  • Batman629

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 12:34 am PT

    Famistsu Magazine sources just updated me in on the actual number of the xbox 360 units sold:
    150,000 units sold to M$ middget employees posing as japanese teens.
    8,654 units sold to japanese kids that into america anime.

  • pokemogu

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 12:28 am PT

    I think X360 lacks some sort of simple and quirky games.
    Every single of them are gorgeous and spectacular.

    JRPGs are not panaceas in Japan anymore.
    Look at Animal Crossing WW outselling FF12 overwhelmingly in Japan.

  • LinkErdrich

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 11:54 pm PT

    I think M$'s main problem is it doesn not understand the Japanese market. Aside from being intensely xenophobic, the 360 doesn't offer what gamers there want. It mainly has sports games and shooters which aren't anywhere near as big as RPG's, Strategies, and Adventure games. Plus the gaming populace ithere is drawn more to substantial gameplay than shiny graphics, unlike western gamers. I seriously doubt they'll launch a 3rd console in a few years.

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 11:24 pm PT

    Only 158,654 units? Wow, that sucks.

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