For those of us who thought the US Xbox 360 launch was missing a few key genres, just take a look at what the Japanese gamers are going to see on December 10th.
Dead or Alive 4 has been pushed back another week, now set for 12/17. Already known, Enchant Arm will not ship until mid January. So just as in the US, there will be no fighting or RPG gaming at launch.
Oddly enough, the original Xbox launch in Japan saw more software support. The Japanese 360 launch has been whittled down to only six games: Ridge Racer 6, Every Party, Perfect Dark Zero, FIFA 06, Tetris and Need for Speed Most Wanted.
Microsoft might have some major Japanese developers on board making games, but none of the major titles are ready for launch. This does not look good to Japanese gamers. It shows that even the developers are not excited about the launch of the 360.
As if Microsoft needs to be reminded, the Japanese love their RPG titles. In order to sell, the Xbox 360 needs a lot of them - having two or 15 at launch would have helped. Western RPG’s don’t count either. I refer to games such as: Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star, Dragon Quest, Xenosaga, Suikoden, Front Mission, etc. Enchant Arm looked to be the Japanese launch’s saving grace.
Backwards compatibility is also a sore subject for Japanese gamers. While we get over 200 titles in the US, only 12 will play on the 360 in Japan. Adding insult to injury, the only Japanese developer on the list is Tecmo.
We had 18 launch titles in the US. Japan gets six. Add the backwards compatible games, and they have 18 games at launch too. Although I do not think that is a good selling point.
Microsoft wants to be a major player in the Japanese gaming industry but they consistently make it impossible to be competitive in that market. There will be no one to blame, again, but Microsoft when the Xbox 360 does not sell in Japan.
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
Wow. They blow the launch for the market they need the most. Brilliant move.
Maybe they can begin shiping the ones they won't sell over there here to the US!
2 - Ken Edwards
Heh. I was thinking the same thing!
3 - Alisha Karabinus
Wow, looks like once again the 'box is going to be a resounding failure in Japan. And just think, all the money they spent on the smaller design and the interchangeable faceplates and all those efforts to be OMG KAWAII! ^^;; etc.
What a shame.
Wait, no... really, I find it funny. :D
4 - mike
im honestly F8ckin ripe about this whole situation... What kind of company releases systems to us as if they are our parents; we hear enough from them while playing the damn things to get off and goto bed (not ne more since im 21 but im sure someone hears it that will read this). Has microsoft ever heard of the saying "Strike while the irons hot" ? People go nutts for this stuff over christmas and I think ms is stupid for not keeping the shelves stocked; by the time I CAN buy a 360 PS3 will already be out and prob have more titles for it. I'm a investor w/ microsoft and I planned on making some money from this 360 release but they keep F'n it up... Thanks bill gates, you (#*$&#($&@#)$*@)$*@) ($*#@)($*@)$*@)$(*@) (@*$)@($*@)($*@$) (@*%)*@&#%)@(&U
5 - Ken Edwards
And now they don't even get DOA 4 until December 29th! How pathetic.