Microsoft Xbox 360 Takes Aim at Sony in Japan

Microsoft Corp. begins selling its new Xbox 360 video game console in Japan on Saturday, launching its attack on the industry’s third-biggest market and the home turf of market leader Sony Corp… But some have tempered expectations for Microsoft’s Japan launch even though the console quickly sold out in North America and Europe. It remains in short supply in those markets.

"Pre-orders on the Internet look solid, but I don’t think the retail stores will sell out of Xbox 360s in the first day," said Takeshi Tajima, an analyst at BNP Paribas in Tokyo.

"Serious game fans will likely rush to buy them, but I think most people are going to wait and see," said Tajima, who added that "Dead or Alive 4," a 3-D fighting game that was supposed to be the hot new game for Xbox 360 in Japan, has been delayed until after the launch — removing a key reason for fans to rush to buy the console.

Reuters