360 Elite confirmed for Japan

The souped-up machine due for release in the country on October 11.

Microsoft has dated the Xbox 360 Elite's arrival in Japan, where it will sell for 47,800 yen (approx $390), according to a press release on its Japanese Xbox Web site.

The package will include the black console, a black wireless controller, a black headset, and an HDMI cable. At the same time as the launch, the matching black wireless controllers will also go on sale in Japan, priced at 4,750 yen ($39).

The basic Xbox 360 currently sells in the country for 29,800 yen ($243), compared with Sony's PlayStation 3 60GB model at 59,980 ($490) yen, and Nintendo's Wii at 25,000 yen ($200).

Microsoft confirmed the plans to GameSpot, but said that a European date for the product had still not been released.

The latest sales figures for the consoles and handhelds in Japan showed the Xbox 360 trailing quite some way behind both the Wii and the PlayStation 3. For the week ending June 24, the Wii sold 65,582 units, the PS3 9,581, and the Xbox 360 only 3,369.

261 Comments

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 6:36 pm PT

    I think this is a smart move. Get Japan in the race because they know all the great 3rd party games come from there. No offense but what good games come from Europe and Australia?

    I'm asking a legit question, not trying to flame.

  • jazreal

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 5:08 pm PT

    wow, you mean that the 360 sold only 3000 less than the psweak(3).....in japan??? wow, thats actually...pretty good

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 7:44 am PT

    Xbox 360 Elite expected in August for Europe
    It comes as small surprise that Europe will have to wait for the arrival of the Xbox Elite next generation games console. While the latest Xbox incarnation is already available in the States we're still waiting for a European release, although sources suggest that it could be here by August 24th.

    That's still sooner than Japan after Microsoft announced it would make its debut on October 11th in the land of the rising sun.

  • marvel-at-marv

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 5:17 am PT

    I assumed the 360 was doing better in Europe, so why the hell is there a Jap release before Europe?

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 6, 2007 2:08 am PT

    i doubt it will do well there

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 11:40 pm PT

    I dont know why they are doing this. The 360 doesn't have any games on it that the Japanese want to play. This is the same reason that I will never buy a 360.

  • choasgod

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 10:28 pm PT

    the funny thing is that here in Australia we have to wait for the Elite. ... Here in Australia 360 is selling the worst according to the latest figures ... Here in Australia the launch of the Elite would see Australia overtake Japan in 360's market importance ... SO why the hell won't you guys give us a damn release date ... you know M$ number 1 friggen rule in business customers can't buy your product if you don't let them ... I personally will buy a 360 at the end of the year - a 360 Elite ...

  • Dark_Nexus3367

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:56 pm PT

    In all seriousness,I think it's great that they are expanding the Elite to other territories but why the Japanese hate the 360 with a passion is beyond me.Sure,the marketing over there is bad but that doesn't derive from the quality of good games that are out on that system.Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon are great JRPGs and if the people over there simply reject the system because it was made by Americans,then they have some serious issues to contend with.I'm not bashing the PS3,but it's pretty obvious that the line-up of the PS3 isn't that strong.I guess my question is,why is there such a bias to a system with an inferior library against a quality system with a good quality library?

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:40 pm PT

    Not going to sell well there

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    Lets see, the console got dealyed 3 times (for a total of almost 4 months) in Australia to be released in late March 2006 but Japan got the 360 in December 2005 and now the Elite is probably going be released in Japan before PAL regions. Probably explains why the 360 is doing poorly in PAL regions and why the Wii is rapidly catching up, MS are paying for there neglect of PAL regions just in the hope to boost sales in Japan which everyone knows won't happen.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:33 pm PT

    Japan gets the Elite over Europeans?

    Like the demand in Japan was so great...

  • IC3_MAST3R

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 7:58 pm PT

    It is highly unlikely the elite will do well in Japan considering how poorly the 360 is selling at the moment in Japan.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 7:03 pm PT

    I doubt the Elite will sell well in Japan. The 360 is basically dead there. At least they get it cheaper...

  • Valen_Ca

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    Woah Generic_Dude, I am pretty sure that after Blue Dragon was released their fanbase doubled, so their are at least 4 maybe 5 people who may care.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:39 pm PT

    So now you, too, Japan can have a broken console in sleek jet black. Just kiddin', fanboys. This is good news for the two Japanese MS fans out there.

  • A5H19

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 6:34 pm PT

    As for the Japanese getting the Elite I am pretty annoyed as a European, not because I plan on getting one but because yet again we are the last of the major territories to recieve something. It isn't like Europeans don't buy consoles either; the PS3 is actually doing fairly well here despite being priced at roughly $850USD. ==================

    $600 retail price and $510 ebay price.

    Personally, I'm not much of a big fan of the Elite. The 360 prenium is good enough, is the Elite really that nessary? I would've gone for it if the thing included an HD-DVD drive, but looks like Microsoft doesn't want to make the same "mistake" Sony did.

  • Ardiendo_1

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    Jebril

    One more thing I AM ABSOLUETELY DISGUSTED WITH SOME GAMESPOT USERS!!!

    Seriosuly half (if not more) of the people that claim that their 360's fail and balogny like that are lying, they say they saw the 3 red lights which doesn't even mean failure it means the TV wire is loose. 4 RED LIGHTS MEANS FAILURE!!! Jebroni.....

    Also I've had my 360 since early 06' never had one failure I leave it on all night to download demos while I sleep nothing happens...it's seriously bullshot when people are claiming they EVEN HAVE A 360 when their obviously huge PS3 fans with MGS/Final Fantasy/DMC pics on their icon.....WTF?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Umm no it is 3 rings, but obviously you're not an expert on the matter considering your 360 has never broke. Seriously WHY WOULD MS GIVE A 3 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM?! Also why can't a person like both 360 and PS3 games? Shock horror, some people aren't blatently in love with console making companies as you seemingly are with Microsoft; they are in it for the GAMES. I own a 360 but would love to play FFXIII and MGS4 right now. DMC is not PS3 exclusive so you again kind of shot yourself in the foot there.

    As for the Japanese getting the Elite I am pretty annoyed as a European, not because I plan on getting one but because yet again we are the last of the major territories to recieve something. It isn't like Europeans don't buy consoles either; the PS3 is actually doing fairly well here despite being priced at roughly $850USD.

  • gmayronne

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 5:00 pm PT

    loz, one more comment regarding this issue and im done, my friends 360 is on a wooden counter with the power brick on the right side of the console also on the counter. his problems were, games freezing and disc trey sticking for the first 360, the second one (which was new by the way) had the EXACT same problems....he never had the red lights of death or anything, just a piece of crap system twice in a row.

  • ssjvegeto

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 4:55 pm PT

    why bother?

  • Elrasiel

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 4:24 pm PT

    Yeah why bother. The smart people in Japan don't even want the normal version.

  • lozandier

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 4:05 pm PT

    Why Am I hearing about Hardware failures in a news article that has NOTHING to do with that? People need to stay on topic and be more mature. However People are saying there are on their third 360? Now that's crazy, Of course, I'll be a fool to say can't be true because we all have different experiences with our consoles.... But from MY experience, ever since the orginal (launch ones) one, the 360 defects are significantly lowered, and people like gmayronne saying their friend are on their third one, I have a urge to say, his friend is doing something, but of course that's remedial....I have a 2006 one and I never had a failure nor a overheated one... TO test mine, I literally played 12 hours, and let my little brother play the other 12 hours to see if mine will overheat... It didn't happen so I guess mine's fine. And with this extended warranty, I won't have to worry. To be honest, the problem leads to non-testing or lack of "check-ups" before testing. It's not a secret 360 was really being rushed to the pointed factory people wondered how they are going to check for quality....

  • sacatash

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    Why even bother. The console wars in Japan is over...for this round at least. Nintendo DS and Wii already won based on their sales and how they are killing the competition. Unless Xbox360 took away FF13 away from PS3, there were be no chance in hell for the Xbox to succeed in Japan

  • gmayronne

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    hey wando, 3 years is great but if it KEEPS breaking then its still a hassle and something i shouldnt have to deal with, my friend is on his 3rd one....thats just rediculous.

  • wando77

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:54 pm PT

    who gives a **** what the failure rate is now cause microsoft have upped the warrenty to 3 YEARS. Now what are you sony boys going to say against it because that was the ONLY thing you could say against the 360.....and dont even start with your '360 and ps3 are same price if you include the hd-dvd' cause who the **** is buying all that at the min??? DVD is here for a long while yet you morons.

  • axia_777

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:19 pm PT

    This will not help the 360 sell in Japan.....

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:15 pm PT

    Microsoft should just make the Elite the standard now, and drop the price to under $400. It would make a single manufacturing line easier.

  • Dreski83

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:03 pm PT

    yea... I'm feeling this may NOT be the wisest move in Japan. no disrespect to my peeps in the far east, but if they show little to no interest in the 360, why use valuable resoucres for a machine that has much more demand elsewhere??

    then again, with cheap pricing I can see this as Microsoft's quiet lil way to contend with Sony's beast machine... I do wonder if sales will improve with this move and the avalanche of games coming

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    Seems like a waste of money. Japn doesn't buy US tech products. Its like the gov puts a "remember Hiroshima" on them.

    I will say damn @ the pricing though. $390 for a 360E? $243 for the 360?!??! Bring those prices to the US and i'll buy one this weekend.

  • IKKF

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:43 pm PT

    I didn't see Japan buying 360's in the first place. It's just a waste of money to distribute new consoles there. Then again, Microsoft is the biggest company in the world and they have plenty of money.

  • atomD21

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:33 pm PT

    Releasing the Elite isn't going to save the 360 in Japan...MS letting someone with a clue handle their Japanese marketing is going to save the 360 in Japan. You can't just translate an American style commercial and call it good. Japanese ads are crazy things.

  • mcbride69

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    Ther just trying to boost sales in japan because the original xbox360 isnt selling well, they should just release it in the UK where people like me would buy it straight away

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    Well if the first one did so bad maybe it wasn't such a good idea .... Well i'm surprised really that it is doing business in Japan where their own consoles rock !!!

  • Freaken_Feline

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 2:05 pm PT

    Agreb91 you just stole my words

  • Agreb91

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    I see no pont in releasing it in Japan.

  • unbreakable4534

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:54 pm PT

    Yuck_Too... that is some GREAT news. I might actually spend money on my 360 now that I feel like I wont have to pay 140 for a repair or 300 on a new one if mine dies again after October. It's still pretty poor that MS has to do that though, they could have just made a quality system, or took this step sooner.

  • quickhhh

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:45 pm PT

    go microsoft!!!

  • unbreakable4534

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    ""bforrester - I got impatient for next-gen myself and got a 360. After my second red-ringed console, I traded it in for store credit and bought my PS3. Haven't looked back since. Maybe try selling some plasma or sperm or something.""

    I did the same man, my birthday roled around and I knew I probably wouldnt have the shot at getting another next gen system for awhile, so I went 360... the first night I had it, mine jammed, so I took it back, then that one died 91 days later... the one I have now got the 3 red lights but I smacked the bottom of it and it's worked ever since... I still have little faith in it's longetivity.

  • nevershort

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:41 pm PT

    @Yuck_Too: "Making up stuff regardless of who it's for, or against, is utterly pointless...but keep up the good research work you're doing."



    -You are preaching to the choir... thats why so many of us are upset, GS tends to post biased news AGAINST PS3, fanboy or not, thats incredibly unfair and really annoying. If you were smart you would research other game sites before basing your opinion only on what GS says.

    @iDIVIDEBYZER0:



    It shows it doesn't matter how credible the sources are... People only hear want they want to hear and see what they want to see. Most people are sheep and they just follow the herd.

  • Symphonycometh

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:36 pm PT

    ...And Symphonycometh is gone! Hopefully we can get some gaming news soon...

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:35 pm PT

    and about 2 of them will sell.....

  • nevershort

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:34 pm PT

    @Yuck_Too:



    I may have been quick to judge you but I have read and seen most of your posts on GS and it seems you bash anything Sony wether its just as credible as the 33% failure rate for the 360 article or not... I think most people would agree with me that you are biased.

  • iDIVIDEBYZER0

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:33 pm PT

    Yuck_Too: So basically you dont believe in any statistic ever presented? Since thats how they are all made. Assuming they arent lying about what the employees told them then how is it possible that all of them said ~30% of 360's were returned? The investigation came from Dailytech, not from some fanboy with a blog, Dailytech has been around for a long time and can be considered a trusted source.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:24 pm PT

    --nevershort --
    Actually I would also be saying BS if they claimed this article was for the PS3. Facts based on 3 former and anonymous people...now that's rock solid journalism

    A quick poll of 360 owners in my office here shows 0 / 5 have encountered the red ring of death...thus it must mean 0% of all 360 have issues.

    Oh I know...lets average together a bunch of useless and made up statistics!

    Making up stuff regardless of who it's for, or against, is utterly pointless...but keep up the good research work you're doing.

  • iDIVIDEBYZER0

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:22 pm PT

    If it cant be confirmed then posting it as a rumor would be fine. The fact of the matter is that if retailers were reporting that 30% of PS3's were failing then Gamespot would be all over it. Gamespot having a major Xbox bias is no secret but not saying anything on such a popular issue right now is actually surprising even for Gamespot.

  • nevershort

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    @bforrester:



    Buy the way I had the 2 links you posted in my original message thanking you but the moderator already deleted my message for spamming.... be careful they don't like us displayin REAL news

  • Symphonycometh

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:19 pm PT

    I want to know exactly why the fail rate of the 360 is being posted up so much today....

  • nevershort

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 1:19 pm PT

    @bforrester -Its refreshing to see that not all game sites are so biased, thanks for the info.

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