Japanese Xbox launch details

TOKYO - On Friday, Microsoft held the Xbox Conference 2002 Winter, announcing details regarding the Japanese Xbox launch of the console. The company has finally revealed that the Xbox console will be priced at 34,800 yen (US $263) in that territory. It has also announced that it will release a limited-edition dark translucent Xbox, priced at 39,800 yen (US$300). Only 50,000 units available of this special-edition Xbox will available. The package includes the Xbox Advanced AV Pack and a serial-numbered key holder autographed by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

Twelve titles are scheduled for the Japanese launch. They are Double Steal (Wreckless in the US), Genma Onimusha, Nobunaga's Ambition, Air Force Delta II, Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, Hyper Sports Winter 2002, ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding 2002, Jet Grind Radio Future, Dead or Alive 3, Tenku: Freestyle Snowboarding (Amped in the US), Nezmix, and Project Gotham. All these games will carry a retail price of 6,800 yen (US $51). Following launch, Microsoft plans to release 10 more games by the end of March. The following is the announced release dates for these games.

February 28 - Kabuki Warriors, Metal Dungeon, Shikigami No Shiro
March 7 - NBA Live 2002, Bistro Cupid
March 14 - Jikkyo World Soccer 2002
March 21 - Gunvalkyrie
March 28 - J-Phoenix Plus, Magides Fight
TBA March - ESPN NBA 2Night 2002

Microsoft did not disclose the number of units it plans to ship for the Japanese launch. The Xbox will hit store shelves on February 22 in Japan.