When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 in Japan last year it hoped things were going to get better for its games business in the country. The market, home of Sony's PlayStation console, had already proved to be a tough one for Microsoft, with the original Xbox thoroughly outsold by the PlayStation 2. Nevertheless, it thought that the early start the 360 had over the PlayStation 3 would give it the upper hand in the next round of the video game wars.
After all, the Xbox 360 was the first next-generation console to launch. It was the first to support high-definition games and it debuted when HDTV sales were booming. Microsoft had also brought in some big-name Japanese game developers to produce games with greater appeal to a local audience.
Salman from Tech4Gamers writes "Mortal Kombat 9 revived the series from a low point after bringing it back to 2D combat. It marked a new high-point for the franchise due to its incredible roster, exciting cinematic story mode, and high-octane combat."
That game was actually goated. It was the first time ever that I actually tried to get good at a fighting game. Unfortunately the online connection was so dogshit it made it hard to enjoy and eventually I gave up. Haven't really played much fighting games since.
Microsoft has slashed the prices of games across the Xbox 360 store in preparation for its July 29th closure.
The Dishwasher
Vigilante 8
Two non-BC and no-PC-version Arcade titles I downloaded recently. Dishwasher's sequel is on Steam at least.
I've also downloaded Ninety-Nine Nights II (shame the first wasn't available). I still want to download Burnout 3: Takedown before the weekend's up, though that is still the full $9.99 non-discounted price
The Xbox 360 Marketplace is officially shutting down in three days, which means dozens of exclusive, digital-only 360 games will no longer be available to purchase anywhere else once it does.
The Xbox 360 will be almost 20 years old next year, and to celebrate this milestone Microsoft have decided to obliterate all of its online functionality.
Fortunately, the X360 was jailbroken a long time ago, so a good part of its library is available for download from 'alternative' sources. Still, it's a bummer to see the store going away.
Dawn of The First Day
-72 Hours Remain-
Also they can keep the store up for life if they wanted.
Series X for the back compat titles, and OG Xbox and X360 for those not on BC. I pretty much bought all of the digital games I want for the 360 so I am good.
X360 not having a sizable chuck of the Japanese market could put X360 in last place nex gen.
Japan is only a small part of it and I wanna say and i promise that the XBOX 360 will improve greatly in sales by mid spring 2007 based on the upcoming games so it's ok that japan will be the slow stepchild to come round. The rest of the world will be playing with the "Power of the X" and a few will be bottlenecking with the uhmm power of the ps3, lol !!!!!
They figure that out all by themeselves? Or just repeating whats been said even before 360 launched?
I remember hearing a MS person say YES Japan is important but we just released in India and China... both have a BILLION people... Japan is only a slice of the pie.... People put too much importance in Japan.
Microsoft know that japan rejecting the console will not hurt console sales in the long run. They'll just reduce the number of consoles shipping there accordingly. They just want to put pressure on the PS3 on its own turf, that's the only reason they still support the region.