After witnessing the oddness that was record breaking Japanese console sales thanks to Tales of Vesperia's release and the subsequent 360 sellout in all of Japan, we actually had a glimmer of hope that the 360 would finally get a foothold in the Japanese market. But, depressingly enough, the record console sales were just that, an oddity. Console sales this past week sorta flat-lined back to their low numbers from the astonishing 25,000 console sales to a sad 7,258, making the 360 Japan's least purchased console last week. It's entirely possible the weak sales are due to the console shortages, but we aren't getting our hopes up. Japan still and will forever hates the 360 ... it's the truth.[Via Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-22-2008 @ 2:24PM
Jack said...
Sad but true. =[
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8-22-2008 @ 2:27PM
PeacefulOutrage said...
We'll see when the consoles are back in stock. That said, like I said on Joystiq, I am curious if Japan will get the same price drop we are rumored to be getting in the States.
With a lower price and a catalogue of games, I wonder how well it will move. Same for the Us, with the new Viva! and Banjo selling at $40.
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8-22-2008 @ 2:30PM
Neil said...
Isn't the 360 already dirt cheap in Japan though?
8-22-2008 @ 2:46PM
Wes said...
No, its still pretty expensive. Pros are around 45,000 yen in most game shops or 450 cad/usd. At least they were when I visited Japan in June.
PS3 when it was first released took an aggressive pricing status in Japan. They knocked 10,000 yen or $100.00 usd off the us price. So the PS3 when it was Fiveee-ninety-nine! was only 499 in Japan. Japan has kept that $100.00 price lead consistently. Every us price cut, Japan has received too.
So if you ever visit Japan, keep in mind you can pickup a ps3 for $100.00 less than you could in the us. I feel its part of the reason PS3 has slightly better sales than the xbox 360. (Ie 15k versus 7k). I think $100.00 price cut to the 360 making it even with the ps3 in Japan might help the 360 sell a bittt better.
8-22-2008 @ 3:03PM
MetalGearsOfSolidWar said...
Just wait till the next jrpg game for 360. It'll get little sales every jrpg released and go back to normal.
Until then carry on PS3 in Japan. Carry on
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8-22-2008 @ 8:53PM
Arnon said...
PS3 doesn't sell in Japan either.. and actually.. 7,000+ Sales is very freaking high for the 360. it used to be 2-4k..
8-22-2008 @ 3:51PM
Steve said...
Despite the 360 being last place this week, the difference in sales between the 360 and PS3 has also shrunk.
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8-22-2008 @ 4:10PM
Milly said...
I'm american and I like western stylized games. You could call me a hardcore gamer as I own a ton of titles. And right now (and the long term outlook for what games are planned), the number one system for someone that fits my characteristics is the Xbox 360. If success in Japan continues to have zero bearing on that, then I could care less how it does there.
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8-22-2008 @ 5:48PM
totoro said...
Best.Pic.Ever.
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8-22-2008 @ 10:29PM
KFelon said...
Sales will be slim if the country has not had an major restock of the console.
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8-23-2008 @ 5:45AM
BDD said...
Who cares about Japan?
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8-24-2008 @ 3:50AM
Tamyu said...
It would be selling a lot more - if there were any around TO be sold.
Even used, people are snatching up the few available consoles. There are literally none to be found.
Sadly though, a lot fewer spur of the moment purchases are going to be made now that people have to wait a few weeks for the next shipment of consoles.
Seriously, as a Japanese 360 owner, Microsoft`s botching up of this chance is pretty disgusting to me.
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