Normally, any news regarding Microsoft's console in the land of the rising sun usually involves the Xbox 360 falling short behind the PlayStation 3 or the Nintendo Wii.

However, the release of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation and price drops saw the 360 soar past the PlayStation 3 in sales with over 17,000 Xbox 360 units sold in the course of one week.

The Xbox 360 also hit a second milestone in Japan with the sales boost by crossing the 500,000 units sold mark. Something the normal Xbox wasn't able to accomplish in Japan.

Still the sales of the 360 weren't able to top the Wii which holds the number 1 slot in Japan however this news of the 360 out-beating the PS3 is very good news in that it shows that Japanese players who have had a long history of sticking with the Japanese gaming market of Sony and Nintendo are willing to branch off from the traditional tried and true markets and willing to test the waters of other platforms.

It is doubtful as to whether or not if the 360 can holds its slot over the PS3 within the coming weeks, however with highly anticipated 360 exclusive games such as Mass Effect coming out soon, only time will tell.

Tags : Japan : microsoft : Nintendo : outsells : PlayStation 3 : Sony : Xbox : Xbox 360

Comments

By: Dragonsoul On: 04:14 Nov 9th, 2007 Online	Seems this race to win the consumer is still very heated. That's exciting for consumers because the more they fight to earn our dollars the more likely they will produce games. Of course, one has to worry if they will focus more on quantity than quality but hey, few consumers will have any problems with a price drop. :P

By: ApplesauceNinja On: 10:29 Nov 9th, 2007 Offline	Sorry, I just don't see Microsoft finishing in any place that's not third (not counting DS and PSP here) in the Japanese market. Once the games start coming, I think the PS3 will top the 360 in Japan again.

By: Corrine On: 09:02 Nov 10th, 2007 Offline	It'd be nice for Microsoft to do well there more consistently. They certainly have a good assortment of games that I think would be appealing to Japanese gamers. I have to say, though, I think Chance is right that as more games come out for the PS3 it'll do better in that country.

By: Matt On: 08:30 Nov 10th, 2007 Offline	Its understandable that the 360 would beat the PS3 in terms of sells, when a exclusive game is released. But, I believe once a ps3-exclusive comes out PS3 will take 2nd place back.