360 cheaper than Wii…in Japan

Microsoft slashes price of Arcade model to around $183 across the Pacific--almost $50 cheaper than Nintendo's console.

This summer saw a spate of rumors that had Microsoft slashing prices of all three Xbox 360 models starting September 7. In a week, North American gamers will know whether those rumors were true, although they have been apparently confirmed by leaked scans of retail flyers.

Today, at a Tokyo media event, Microsoft announced that it is slashing the prices of all three of its Xbox 360 models…in Japan. Starting on September 11, the 120GB Elite will go from ¥47,800 (about $441*) to 39,800 ($368) and the newly 60GB Pro will go on sale for ¥29,800 ($275)--¥5,000 ($46) less than its 20GB predecessor.

Most significantly, however, is the price cut of the hard drive-free Xbox 360 Arcade, which will see a drastic drop from ¥27,800 ($257) to ¥19,800 ($183). Besides becoming the first of the current-generation consoles to break the psychological ¥20,000 ($185) barrier, it will also undercut the Nintendo Wii's ¥25,000 ($231) cost by ¥5,200 ($48). The standard-issue 80GB PlayStation 3 costs ¥39,800 ($368) in Japan.

Microsoft's move comes after a largely unsuccessful near-two-year courtship of the Japanese market. Despite enlisting such high-profile Japanese developers as Q Entertainment founder Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to make exclusives, the 360 has lagged far behind the Wii and the PS3 in terms of sales.

However, the August 7 release of Namco Bandai's 360-exclusive role-playing game Tales of Vesperia caused the system to sell out last month, according to a (translated) Microsoft Japan announcement. Microsoft also convinced Square Enix to develop several 360 JRPGs, including the exclusive Infinite Undiscovery, and to make the formerly PS3-only Final Fantasy XIII multiplatform. GameSpot's recent interview with former Kojima Productions developer Ryan Payton has further insight on the 360's travails in Japan.

Does the Japan announcement mean North American and possibly European price cuts are in the cards? Inquiries to Microsoft's PR agency were not returned as of press time, most likely due to the federal Labor Day holiday in the US.

*=All conversions approximate.

386 Comments

  • Falru

    Posted Feb 1, 2009 11:12 pm GMT

    @josef8

    This has nothing to do with microsoft in particular, this happens EVERYDAY and EVERYWHERE in sales and marketing. It's called competition.

    I'm at least glad they actually seem to care about sales in Japan, doubt it will make too much difference though, Japan has an absolutely enormous Sony/Nintendo fanbase.

  • bboygamer89

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 10:18 am GMT

    Japan still wants the Wii
    im not sure if they will focus on the 360 despite the price

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 8:51 pm GMT

    good time to get a second 360?

  • mcnichoj

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 6:28 pm GMT

    "and to make the formerly PS3-only Final Fantasy XIII multiplatform"
    I don't know if someone has mentioned this in the comments, but this only applies to North America, not Japan so I don't know why this is in the article or not in its entire context.

  • josef8

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 7:47 pm GMT

    Microsoft plays dirty... and cowardly

  • CorruptGamerGX

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 8:18 pm GMT

    onlinedevil13 Posted Sep 5, 2008 2:47 am PT
    microsoft needs to get more rpg games for 360 if they want japan to buy their console >.>

    Is this a joke? What do you think M$ has been doing in Japan for the past 2 YEARS?

    Maybe M$ wouldn't fail so much if they would STOP stereotyping Japanese gamers and insult them by saying they like "easy" games. What's the point in bribing more companies for JRPG's when the most anticipated console RPG of them all will be a PS3 exclusive in Japan? (Final Fantasy XIII).

  • onlinedevil13

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 6:47 pm GMT

    microsoft needs to get more rpg games for 360 if they want japan to buy their console >.>

  • Earth1Superman

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 11:18 am GMT

    on sunday bestbuy will be lowering the 360's price.
    199 acarde
    299 60gb
    399 120gb

  • jknight5422

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 9:22 am GMT

    I guess the hardware prices are lowering to the point that they can resort to these near-giveaways of 360 consoles...

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 8:24 pm GMT

    I give my highest admiration to Microsoft for its relentless pursue of failure again and again without giving up on the mysery. It is the Japanese market my friend, it ain't no brainwash land, ppl go for the value, not the price.

  • sykalob

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:02 pm GMT

    xbox 360 is a killer machine again

  • xchiefmegadethx

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:46 pm GMT

    Cool thing about trying to sell to japs is we get great RPGs and such!
    So it helps xbox 360 sell everywhere!
    Well if they sold out of xbox 360s then thats a good thing...

  • blackace

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:00 pm GMT

    xgalacticax
    Lol, it will soon be cheaper than the Wii in US and Europe. Its getting closer. Nice to see Gamespot has started calling the 360 a current gen console after 3 years.
    **************************************
    All the consoles are current-gen consoles now. NEXT-GEN doesn't mean superior hardware. For some reason, hardcore gamers made this definition up for when a new game console was launched. NEXT-GEN simply means, "the next series of game consoles to the market." It never had anything to do with graphics, superior technology or any of that crap. That definition was all made up by hardcore gamers to try to claim some kind of ownage. All 3 console out now are current-gen console. the NEXT-GEN of consoles won't be out until 2011-2012. =============================================== enoslives7

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 10:39 am PT

    microsoft needs to just give up on Japan, they are beating a dead horse.....The world has really seen microsoft take a beating on all fronts these last few years. Bad karma has come full cycle on a company that used to bully and strong-arm their competition. ************************************************
    They still own like 85% of the PC market with Windows and Internet Explorer. So they are doing something right. Their Xbox 360 has succeeded the original XBox worldwide. So, I'm not sure what beating you are talking about. The original XBox wasn't successful in Japan, but neither was any other U.S. game console. What other U.S. game console was as successful as the Xbox or Xbox 360 in Japan? Nuff said.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 10:39 am GMT

    microsoft needs to just give up on Japan, they are beating a dead horse.....The world has really seen microsoft take a beating on all fronts these last few years. Bad karma has come full cycle on a company that used to bully and strong-arm their competition.

  • nobeaner

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 8:34 am GMT

    Just received a flyer from Walmart yesterday that listed it as 199.

  • xgalacticax

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 7:31 am GMT

    Lol, it will soon be cheaper than the Wii in US and Europe. Its getting closer. Nice to see Gamespot has started calling the 360 a current gen console after 3 years.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:52 am GMT

    Say what you like about aspects of the regions but the telling fact is how many copies of "Blue Dragon" well be sold on the DS platform when it ships.

    Also there are still more RPG's and even JRPG's on the 360 platform as well as every major developer in Japan is making games for the 360 and yet it still doesn't sell over there.

  • cube-gage

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:32 am GMT

    If MS want to succeed, then they should buy the exclusive rights to SHENMUE 3, maybe even a revamped trilogy.

  • cube-gage

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:32 am GMT

    If MS want to succeed, then they should buy the exclusive rights to SHENMUE 3, maybe even a revamped trilogy.

  • mpeg3s

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:40 am GMT

    Here is MS's primary failure. The SAD thing is the X360 is doing worst than the XBOX in Japan.

    MS either needs to pull out of Japan or make better first party games for Asian markets.

  • CureForLiving

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:28 am GMT

    I tink the price cut will only be in Japan where the sales aren't all that good. The rest of the world where the sales are ok I don't see why they would have a need to cut the prices.

  • LorenaLarue posted Sep 3, 2008 1:41 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    LorenaLarue

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 1:41 am GMT (hide)

    Wow Microsoft are really desperate, but after having invested so much money in the japanese market they can't back out now. Still this is a shock.

  • sammysalsa

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:32 am GMT

    Its cheaper than the wii in australia too

  • king_bobo

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 10:48 pm GMT

    The fact is that the Xbox 360 is a very westernised product. It doesn't appeal to the Japanese because of its games, which Microsoft will have to invest a lot in to do well.

  • saintsrowCS

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 10:41 pm GMT

    RPGs in Japan are like shooters in the USA, Microsoft needs to make more JRPGs (even west RPGs won't do) and a lot more casual, life sim game. Also don't compare the 360 to an Ipod or clothes

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 9:25 pm GMT

    If the RPG influx sells consoels, they better not be sold out next month, so they can record proper numbers of sales and not just missed sales.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 8:59 pm GMT

    That retailers picture is hilarious. It reminds me of what the stores looked like December 2006 in the US, expect it was PS3 stacked everywhere you set foot. I hope we see a continued rush of RPG dev for the 360 to keep pace with the j-price cuts.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 8:20 pm GMT

    wow that something different

  • cd19

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 8:14 pm GMT

    Thomas10soa said:
    "japanese people just hate americans and wont buy there products"

    So I'm assuming you know Japanese people and have been to Japan, right? Your comment is offensive/ignorant. American computers, music, clothing, and more are all extremely popular in Japan. Don't judge a country and its' people based on the sales of the 360.

  • Timstuff posted Sep 2, 2008 8:13 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Timstuff

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 8:13 pm GMT (hide)

    At this point Nintendo could charge $599 and they'd still outsell 360 in Japan.

  • trw534

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 7:31 pm GMT

    awsome

  • BVCX

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 6:04 pm GMT

    @HolteEnder4Life "live is the best service bar none, any dev will tell you that noobs"

    I have wii24, psn, live and I disagree with $60 for live. Maybe $4 for the video/chat option but the rest are pretty much the same except for wii24.

  • Canuuk

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:47 pm GMT

    A price cut would be nice. As much as I enjoy the Wii and PS3, the 360 have quite a few exclusives I would like to get my hands on in the near future.

  • thomas10soa posted Sep 2, 2008 5:44 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thomas10soa

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:44 pm GMT (hide)

    japanese people just hate americans and wont buy there products

  • FirstDiscovery

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:27 pm GMT

    Yep MS arent doing all that bad, hopefully the RPG influx will cause it sell 5k a week till the gen instead of 1.5k. A million userbase would be simply immense in securing almost all Japanese devs

  • blackace

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 5:08 pm GMT

    They should have done this over a year ago. I'm still happy that the 360 will end up outselling the original XBox in the end. At least M$ is making some progress. Japan is a very tough market to crack for any American company. M$ will be announcing the U.S. price drops soon I'm sure.
    ===================================================
    darknferno12 This has little to do with Japan not buying the 360 because it's American. It's because Japan is very picky, has different taste in games than most, a diminutive variety which Microsoft doesn't really seem to understand. What they need to do is set a base in Japan see whats hood and start from there.
    *********************************************
    Yeah, but it's also because it was made by an American company. If this console was made by Samsung or Mitsubishi I'm sure it would have sold a whole lot better.

  • Great_Ragnarok

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:12 pm GMT

    dammit MS why give japan such a good deal??? I hope the price change comes to elsewhere as well.

  • ninja_where

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 4:08 pm GMT

    I lol'd at the comments remarking negative and fanboy-ish points about the 360, as well as the fact that people said Japan hates MS.

    Get it straight, people. Everyone has different tastes in games and most of Japan's tastes are fanservice, RPG's, and mostly eroge. You guys like shooters and action-adventure/action games. Stop blaming Japan, they were the ones that gave you video games in the first place.

    Anyways, the fact of price cuts only mean one thing: the product is nearing its doom. Seriously, PS3 had a price cut when not a lot bought it...and look at it now. In other words, it's the same as the 360. Like those sales, they lessen the price because they want to get rid of it, taking too much space in their store shelves. Now, be a good gamer and shut up and play your 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, or whatever. And stop blabbering about "Ooh, they don't know how to appreciate Halo," "360 will still pwn," and "The 360 is so desperate." Take note that I own no such 360, only a PS3.

  • HolteEnder4Life

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:44 pm GMT

    live is the best service bar none, any dev will tell you that noobs

  • VengenceZero posted Sep 2, 2008 3:41 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    VengenceZero

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:41 pm GMT (hide)

    Japan is Nintendo's Country. Microsoft quit trying, It might pick up but not by a mjor factor. Focus on the Us and Europe. Even with earlier launch, your not japanese appeal. Some RPGs wont do it. Its familys the buy 75% of the systems. Not hardcore gamers

  • xXGauGeLeXx

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:41 pm GMT

    "this is anoying why is the 360 cheeper everywhere but the untited states? I would literaly go buy one now if they actually cost that much."

    Because a person that can't even spell their country's name right or can't spell at all in general, should be reading a book instead of buying video games.

  • Maxor127

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:33 pm GMT

    It's cheaper because the Japanese don't want it. It's simple supply and demand. I don't think the Microsoft will do well next console generation, especially if PS3 keeps a free online service. Microsoft rode on Bungie's coattails, and they won't have the same success without console exclusives like Gears of War and Halo. I finally tried out my month trial of XBox Live last month and I wasn't impressed at all. I can't believe people actually pay money for it PLUS all of the BS microtransactions that go along with it.

  • retrofraction12

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 2:41 pm GMT

    this is anoying why is the 360 cheeper everywhere but the untited states? I would literaly go buy one now if they actually cost that much.

  • raahsnavj posted Sep 2, 2008 2:36 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    raahsnavj

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 2:36 pm GMT (hide)

    If the Wii still outsells the 360 we will finally know there is something wrong with Japan... gamerwise.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 2:36 pm GMT

    If the Wii still outsells the 360 we will finally know there is something wrong with Japan... gamerwise.

  • TheRealMantera

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:37 pm GMT

    meh, I'm not Japanese nor do I plan on turning japanese
    anytime soon, so this is not big news. Let me know when the U.S. price drops but other than that I din't feel the need to engage in a console war-like discussion
    based on this article. Although, I might add, that personally I think the 360 devestates the PS3 when it comes to content (games) and online play functioning. i.e.
    voicechat that actually works and where people can
    both talk and hear other players talking.

  • Aventura54

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:35 pm GMT

    Hirotopacman, your prices for the wii are wrong. I went down town today and im sure the ad in woolworths window said either ÂŁ159.99 or ÂŁ149.99. Not totally sure but it was definitely more than a few quid under ÂŁ180. (Not criticising, just dont want others being mislead into buying a 360 because they're cheaper (they still great consoles mind)

  • endocrine

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 1:31 pm GMT

    Airbizkit you are soo funny. 99/100 senators voeed to goto war in Iraq, so its their war too. Plus, democrats get votes from dead people. The day our two political parties become uncorrupt is the day I die in shock. I would also settle for the day that repubs and dems stop blaming each other for the things that they do, that would be a good day too.

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