Microsoft Taking Xbox 360 Elite to Japan

By Geoff Duncan July 5, 2007

Microsoft Taking Xbox 360 Elite to Japan

Japan might be the home turf of video game console giants Sony and Nintendo, but Microsoft refuses to give up the idea it can carve out a significant share of the market, and plans to launch it’s revved-up Xbox 360 Elite console in Japan on October 11.

The Xbox 360 was the first of the so-called “next generation” game consoles to hit the market, beating the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii out the door by a year. The Xbox 360 Elite improves on the original Xbox 360 console by adding a 120 GB hard drive—all the better to store music, video, television programs, and music downloaded from Microsoft’s Xbox Live service—and an HDMI port for displaying high-definition content. The Xbox 360 Elite also comes with a wireless controller and black Xbox Live headset for Internet-based multiplayer gaming and chat.

Microsoft says the Xbox 360 Elite will sell for ¥47,800 (about $390). The basic version of the Xbox 360 console currently sells for ¥29,800 (about $244) in Japan. In North America, the Xbox 360 Elite sells for about $480.

Although the Xbox 360 has sold well in the United States and Europe, the console has struggled to make headway in Japan, despite aggressive marketing and price promotions. According to figures from game magazine Enterbrain Microsoft sold just under 123,000 Xbox 360 systems in Japan during the first half of 2007; in the same time period, Sony sold over 500,000 PS3 consoles in Japan, and Nintendo moved 1.78 million Wii consoles.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Gaming

April’s most anticipated RPG is coming to Xbox Game Pass

Key art for Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes.

We've learned about the titles that will come to Xbox Game Pass throughout the back half of April, and several of them are games getting added to the catalog the day they launch. Of those, the most notable is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

While that name is a mouthful, RPG fans will want to pay attention to Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes as it is a spiritual successor to the long-dormant Konami RPG series Suikoden. Many of the developers who worked on the original Suikoden games worked together to reimagine the concept for the modern era, creating an RPG with over 100 recruitable party members, engaging combat, and a gorgeous pixelated art style that gives Square Enix's HD-2D games a run for their money. Prequel game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is already on Xbox Game Pass too, so Microsoft seems all-in on backing this Suikoden successor as we wait for Konami to release remasters of those titles or a new game in the series.

Gaming

This deal gets you $50 off the Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X on a table.

The Xbox Series X, Microsoft's current-generation video game console, is a powerful machine that will meet the needs of even the most demanding gamers. If you want it in your arsenal, or if you're planning to upgrade from the Xbox One X, you'll want to take advantage of Walmart's $50 discount that pulls its price down to $449 from $499. With more than 500 units sold over the past 24 hours, we're not sure how much time is remaining before stocks run out, so it's highly recommended that you make your purchase immediately if you want to pocket the savings.

Why you should buy the Microsoft Xbox Series X
The Microsoft Xbox Series X offers 12 teraflops of processing power, which enables 4K gaming and 3D spatial sound. Xbox fans will love the familiar interface, and with fast load times, your excitement will never go away. The console comes with only one controller though, so you'll have to buy one more if you want some co-op or versus action with your friends and family members.

Gaming

Xbox, PlayStation, and PC: Is Elden Ring cross-platform?

Characters fighting on horseback in Elden Ring.

When it launched in 2022, Elden Ring was an immediate hit. The challenging game took everything great from previous FromSoftware titles and merged it with a sweeping open world to explore -- letting players venture in any direction just a few minutes after starting the game. That also made it incredibly daunting. Not only did you have to contend with nightmarish monsters and rage-inducing combat, but you had to figure out how to best reach your next destination without stumbling upon enemies that were twice your skill level.

Thankfully, Elden Ring makes use of a (cryptic) multiplayer system, allowing you to explore the Lands Between with a buddy by your side. You can also read and leave messages for other players, giving them tips and tricks to guide their journey. But is Elden Ring cross-platform, or are you stuck playing with folks on the same platform as you?