James Delahunty
15 Sep 2005 10:07
Microsoft has revealed the release dates for the Xbox 360 gaming console. In the U.S. the console will be available on November 22nd. European gamers will have to wait until December 2nd to get their hands on the console and 8 days later on December 10th, the console will be available in Japan. Unfortunately for gamers in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan there will be no late 2005 release of the console as the only details Microsoft gave concerning those locations is the console will arrive sometime in 2006.
The company also announced that the console will cost ¥37,900 ($344) in Japan. That price includes the consoles removable 20GB HDD, wireless controller, remote control, headset and Ethernet + AV cables. The company already revealed the U.S. and E.U. prices for the console in August, (US$299 and €299 (£209 in UK). The release dates were revealed by Microsoft at the Tokyo Games Show.
Microsoft is hoping to steal some of Sony's Japanese market share with the Xbox 360 as it failed to make a dent with the launch of the first Xbox console. Now the company is back for a second attempt and has ensured it will take the "first mover advantage" which it hopes will boost sales and help it to dethrone Sony's Playstation dominance.
Source:
The Register