Though the Xbox 360 has become a household name in the states and the UK, Microsoft has always had trouble in the land of the rising sun where Sony and Nintendo are the towering titans.

In a move to boost sales of their console, Microsoft has planned a price drop on their Xbox 360 in Japan, effective November 1st, to coincide with the release of Dynasty Warriors VI, which will be available on the 360 and on the PS3.

The pricedrop will have the consoles ranging from 27,800 Yen for the core model to 34,980 Yen for the high end model.

Along with the price drop, Microsoft will be releasing a bundle pack for the high end model of the 360 that will include HDMI ports and a copy of Viva Pinata and Forza 2.

This would be Microsoft's attempt to show Japan that they are just as good if not better than Sony or Nintendo, however both of the Japanese based companies have had a strangle hold on Japan's gaming industry while Microsoft has only got a foot hold.

Whether or not this new bundle pack and price drop will convince the Japanese gamers to move from the tried and true Sony and Nintendo over to the American based company is iffy but only time will tell.

Tags : Bundle Pack : Japan : microsoft : Price Drop : Xbox 360

Comments

By: Dragonfly

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On: 07:18 Oct 22nd, 2007
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Although this is the kind of news that is never going to impact me personally, its still a smart move by Microsoft.

Mind you, as I understand things, the machine is notoriously cheap there anyway. I don't think it's going to win the Japanese people over. If Hironobu Sakaguchi can't win them over, nothing will.

By: Black Convoy

On: 07:38 Oct 22nd, 2007
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Ace Combat 6 should help out. The Ace Combat series are very popular in Japan.

By: Dragonfly

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On: 07:41 Oct 22nd, 2007
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Black Convoy;34351

I'm amazed Ace Combat 6 didn't sell over there all that well. Those games go like hotcakes in Japan.

Japan's degree of social racism makes Americans look like nice people.

It's a sad but true fact, and it's not a stretch to see that it's a major reason why the machine isn't selling, even though there's a generously larger focus on the Japanese market now than there was with the original Xbox.

By: Evren

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On: 05:55 Oct 23rd, 2007
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Microsoft are really trying hard to get it to sell in Japan, But the thing is, if they dont want it, not even a price drop is really going to help.

By: boa

On: 06:19 Oct 23rd, 2007
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It's such an important market that I can see why they're trying.

But if it isn't selling then words is probably right as to the reason.... the only way 360 is going to do well now, is if they can buy Sqenix and Kojima studios or something...