This pic was taken at another Chiba video game shop by our man in the boonies, Jesse. At the top, customers take those 360 boxes to the register in exchange for an actual console. The sign in the middle is a warning to all shoppers, saying they cannot get a refund or exchange game software after purchase. It also tells customers to make sure this is the product they want to buy, scaring the crap outta anyone remotely interested in the 360.

Xbox Japan [Official Site]

From the far reaches of Chiba prefecture, Kotaku reader Jesse sends the following used Xbox 360 from his local WonderGoo shop. Earlier in January, a used version appeared on shelves for 34,980 yen. "That means," writes Jesse, "that one month after the Xbox 360 Launch, somebody has already decided to sell it back at a loss." The yet re-sold abandoned machine has been hardly used and is in perfect condition. Not sure if that classifies as a selling point, however.

I Wonder Too [WonderGoo] Thanks, Jesse!

Indeed, Microsoft has produced games geared toward Americans, such as the WWII combat simulator Call of Duty II, currently the bestselling Xbox 360 game in the US.

"It caters to a Western audience," says Ben Hourigan, a PhD candidate at Australia's University of Melbourne who is in Japan researching the political aspects of role-playing video games. "The countries that were once the allied powers [such as the US] have a very polarized view of WWII ... 'we were the good guys, they were the bad guys' kind of thing. And that comes out in their video games."

Food for thought. Discuss.

Full Story Here [CS Monitor]

To celebrate their 20th Anniversary, Sofmap sold both the Nintendo DS and the Xbox 360 with a 20 percent off incentive. The Dual Screen sold out super quick. The 360, well, didn't. And that's with heavy Dead or Alive 4 promotion. Ouch.

Pics from Ninja Shot's blog to follow.

Pic Here [Senakablog]

Rest easy, Msoft. Earlier this week, Akiba's Sofmap got playable Dead or Alive 4 kiosks, and things start to look a little less grim for the 360 in Japan. Kasumi boobies to the rescue!

The 360 Still Sits On Japanese Shelves [Akiblog]

Here's another reason to be jealous of the Japanese. Not only do they have limitless 360s sitting on store shelves, their version of the 360 can run at a higher definition. Japanese HDTVs sport a different standard from American and European ones, which is why a special D-Terminal cable is packaged with the console. This isn't the first machine the cable has been released for; the PS2 was packaged with it as well. But, just by connecting it to the TV, the cable kicks up the definition by one extra resolution. This extra resolution is called 750p and runs at 60 frames-per-second. So just how good is that definition? It's like so good that you can't even see it.

Full Story Here [GameBrink] Thanks Jeromy!

The original Xbox has a loyal and sizable base in America, while in Japan, the console was routinely outsold by the PS1. Embarrassing to say the least. Video games might have been born in the US, but they came of age in Japan. When Atari became irrelevant in the 1980s, American lost its gaming dominance. The age of Mario and Sonic began. We became a country of consumers, not producers. The Xbox 360 was and is our shinning hope to return to some semblance of dominance.

The 360 launch was some sort of second coming in the US. Folks lined up all night to get these "rare" consoles. Bill Gates and Co. put in appearances. The hype machine was in full effect. Japan, however, could have cared less. Consoles sat unloved on shelves, and few stood in line. Japan laughed in Microsoft's face, and it was insulting to all those American and European gamers who lined-up all night or shelled out big Ebay bucks for a console. The land of the rising sun just didn't care and had the 360s to prove it.

Instead of thinking, "well, effe them," people starting second guessing the 360. Maybe, the Japanese are right. Maybe this is the new Dreamcast. Maybe this console doesn't shit candy canes after all. Japan is the country that gave us the NES and the PlayStation. If anyone, they should know a good gaming system when they see one. Msoft needed the Japanese; the company needed them to validate their next generation console. Because, we all know that few in the US are going to turn their backs on next gen PlayStation or Nintendo. American gamers, it seems, are one insecure lot.

The Japanese know what they like. Now, it's easy to say that the Japanese only buy domestic products or they don't like foreign things. None of these hold true, however. Anyone who has ever spent considerable time in Japan will be quick to point out the speed at which Japanese snap up foreign products. Microsoft already has an incredibly strong presence in the country. So, what went wrong? Another deceptively simple question with an answer that I fear is more than buggy American consoles and lackluster launch titles.

See Crecente's Groovy Facial Hair and Read His 360 Japan Column [Kotaku]

Lock yer doors and bolt the windows. Starting December 17th, there are going to be hoards of otaku roaming the Tokyo streets, looking to score some hot one-on-one Dead or Alive 4 action. Tecmo's fumigated the gremlins that were wrecking havoc on the software and keeping DoA4 from being released on schedule. To celebrate, Team Ninja's putting up Xbox 360 demo kiosks at Sofmap in Akihabara on Dec. 17th, LaOX in Akiba on Dec. 18th and Sakuraya in Shinjuku on launch day. There is no need to sign up as anyone can walk in and play.

Remember the photos of Japanese folks avoiding 360 kiosks like the bubonic plague? Those will be distant memories now that the console's killer app is finally gonna get a much needed airing. Dead or Alive? In Japan, the 360 is showing signs of life.

Full Story Here [Watch Impress] Thanks Yamakiyo!

Originally, slated to be a 360 Japan Launch title, Namco's Frame City was pushed back to sometime before Feb. 2006. Now, it looks like the game won't see the light of day until next spring.

Frame City is set in a futuristic metropolis and follows an assassin on a mission to bump off the head of a powerful drug cartel. This is the first game by a Japanese developer to use the powerful Unreal Engine 3 technology. Along with Dead or Alive 4 and Enchant Arm, the game is the third launch title to be delayed. Not to be superstitious, but it seems like A). Either there's some sort of 360 jinx in Japan or B). There's been a series of unrealistic deadlines set.

Delay Notice [Namco] Thanks Higon!

Yesterday, we ran a story about stores in Japan "slashing" prices on the Xbox 360. This was not the case. The price cut is in fact a standing offer for a variety of items in certain electronics stores. Sofmap, and several other stores, offer a discount if you sign a contract with an ISP, an offer that is apparently tacked on to many popular electronic goods for sale in a store.

While the Xbox 360 is available at a reduced price, it does not appear this has anything to do with how well the console is selling in Japan.

The photo used in the post was sent in as a tip, and Kotaku s Japan editor posted it using his own experience at the Sofmap store in Osaka and the wording on the sign as background.

Brian spoke with Sofmap folk a few minutes ago and was told that the campaign did indeed start on launch day and that there are no plans to limit or end the campaign anytime soon. They also confirmed that they still have plenty of 360s in stock.

We regret the error.

Japanese Shops Now Slashing Xbox 360 Prices [Kotaku]

Ridge Racer 6 sold 29,891 units.
Perfect Dark Zero sold 14,897.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted sold 6,842.

I'm quite happy with Ridge Racer 6, but am very surprised that Every Party hasn't sold better. The title was created strickly for the domestic market and looked like a lot of fun at TGS. I was planning on buying it. Planning, but didn't.

More Data Here [Famitsu]

The train wreck that is the 360 Japan Launch continues. Unloved 360s consoles collect dust, and retailers are unable to return those unwanted Xbox 360s to Msoft due to contractual obligations. To cut loses and cover their arses, stores are left with no choice but to offer discounts. The originally 38,800yen (about $350 US) consoles have been lowered to 18,800yen (about $150 US) with Internet Service Provider contracts so that the shop could get some kickback money from the IP. And this is what, four days from launch?

Eds Note: Turns out most, if not all, of you were right. This was a deal that started on launch day and is a common practice at stores selling electronics. Sorry for the screw up. Check here for the full correction.

Foto Here [Xrea Yuhisa Blog] Thanks Higon!

This was taken a day after the Japan launch on late Sunday afternoon at Yodobashi Camera in Osaka. There isn't even close to a dent in their behemoth stock of consoles. I was thinking about going back today or tomorrow. But on second thought, what's the point? The song'll be the same, only the verse different.

Everyone in America and Europe without a console that wants one, my heart goes out to you. Really.

The store was packed with tons of Christmas shoppers. Few, if any, were there for a Xbox 360 unfortunately. Things should pick up when Dead or Alive 4 is released. Or next year when Ninety Nine Nights comes out. But, by then Msoft's gonna be playing catch up. And in 2006, it could get real ugly, real fast.

Xbox Launched [Official Site]

For those that missed this weekend's fun, I've posted the links regarding my Xbox 360 countdown. Note that they are in order for easy reading. Links after the jump.

Getting There Is Hell
Otaku Line-Up
A Fellow Appears, Then Not
Finding Yer People
Killing Time Alone
Movement In Front of Sofmap
The Third Man?
We're In!
Not Exactly a Madhouse [All Kotaku]

The lounge at 3am. One fella works for Microsoft. The other writes for a fan site. Both exhausted.

The launch, reports Kappuru, was accented by these custom faceplates, which were created by "underground" hip designers. These, along with the lounge's upscale Ginza location, are a telltale sign of Msoft's attempts to distance themselves from the only people in Japan who actually care about them: the hardcore.

Pics, Picks, Piques [flickr]

There were so many people at the Tokyo launch that the cops were called in to guard the green gumballs.

The line for the sale at the Shibuya Tsutaya store was long, says Kappuru. Like, there were a hundred people. Keep this photo of otaku waiting for plastic figurines in mind, though:

Kappuru's Other Gig [largeprimenumbers] Thanks Kappuru!

A guest at the Aoyama party shows off his latest acquisition: Perfect Dark Zero. Our man in Tokyo, Kappuru reports the Creative Director for Xbox Japan said that the localization was, in two words, "Damn Good." Perhaps even better than the native English version.

The Perfect Dark demos were the most popular as well as the most populous, says Kappuru. There was a line all night to play. There was even a set up to play Xbox Live versus people in Osaka. Encouraging, given the general Japanese disparity for First-Person Shooters.

Kappuru's Hang Out [flickr] Thanks Kappuru!

So, our man Kappuru bagged his invite to the Xbox Lounge party and kicked it with Tokyo's gaming elite. I, on the other hand, froze my ass off alone. Pics and color commentary to follow.

Our boy Kappuru with some of the dudes that made Ryu Go Gotoku.

Kappuru writes that this was a guide that was being given out for free at the event.

"The 'right of light' motif was everywhere," Kappuru reports, "even more than the ubiquitous Xbox or Microsoft logos. They're really trying to make it iconic."

Photos Here [flickr] Thanks Kappuru!

Something had to be wrong. I kept telling myself that maybe the Xbox 360 was selling out right and left at other stores. Maybe it was just the people in Den-Den Town and symptomatic of how a big chunk of the country feels. I hopped on a subway train and headed up to Umeda. Next stop: Yodobashi Camera.

Trains from nearby Kobe and Kyoto converge in Umeda, and the population of the Kobe-Osaka-Kyoto metropolitan area was over 17 million. If the Xbox 360 were going to sell out some place in Kansai, this would be the place.

Yodobashi Camera is a five-story plus city block of electronics, cameras, restaurants and video games. The retailer had been pumping the 360 for weeks with fliers, posters and even having all HD TVs loop 360 demos. The PSP sold out here within hours on launch day last year. Same's gotta be true for the Xbox 360.

The store was packed with carts upon carts of 360s. It was unreal. I asked a clerk if he thought they were going to sell out on launch day, and he replied "probably not."

"What about tomorrow?"
"I don't know."

Note: the following pictures were taken of the stock at the Yodobashi store at around noon. They are not taken of the same carts, but of different 360 carts placed in various locations behind the counter.

If you didn't get an Xbox 360 or paid some ridculous amount on Ebay, just know that there are oodles and oodles of unopened 360s here in Osaka. How's that for a shortage.

Learn about Osaka [Wikipedia]

I'm the sixth person in line. Ichabod is the seventh as waiting behind the blockade cost him the number one spot. Poor Ichabod. Those dudes in the puffy coats really should've him go ahead.

Jingle Bells is drifting in from the loudspeakers out front. Otherwise, the store is deathly quiet. Customers and clerks don't appear to be talking, but are like characters out of a silent movie. Soundless lips moving at 24 frames-per-second. I'm holding my copy of Ridge Racer on my way to the register. Ichabod hasn't picked up any 360 titles. There's a small anime-like crab on his backpack, I notice.

Ninja Shot is scurrying around, snapping pics with that absurdly overdramatic gesture. He puts the digicam back in his pocket, only to take it out with that stupid motion again. Wash, rinse, repeat. Taking a pic of this is impossible as Ninja Shot is too quick—a quickness that is unnerving.

I want to smack him.

There's a display next to the register, covered with PSP games. Ichabod leans over, picks up a title and gives it a good, hard look. He's holding a copy of Yawaraka Atama Juku, an English teaching UMD with bikini-girls. He holds onto the game, not putting it down. He's actually intends to buy it. What about the Xbox 360? We in this together, Ichabod. Yer not gonna ditch me now, are you? Are you?

I'm up next. At the register, there's a stack of Dead or Alive 4 cards on the counter. With no needless bundles to choose from, the decision is painless and easy. Peripherals are cheaper than in the US, and I buy an extra wireless controller. Folks have no idea how good they have it.

"What are those cards for?"
"They are for customers who pre-ordered the Xbox 360."
The stack is big.
"Can I have one?"
The clerk gives me a big, fake smile.
I'll take that as a no.

The bag is white says Xbox 360 and is heavy. I tell that to the clerk, and he agrees. It is heavy. Before I leave, I scan the store, trying to find Ichabod. A handfull of people line up for the Xbox. Others look at computer games, DS games, PS2 games. It's just another day at Sofmap. No sign of Ichabod or the PSP game he purchased. I make my way out to the street, looking both directions. Nothing. He must've bought a 360. He must've.

The bag's straps cut into my shoulder as I fish through my pocket for some spare change. Bidding my haunt goodbye, I buy one last cocoa, down it and head up the street. It's alive with foot traffic and mid-morning sunlight, when I make my way onto the main boulevard. I'm the only person with a 360 bag for what seems like miles.

We Enter Sofmap...Finally! [Kotaku]