X-bit labs

Interest Towards Xbox 360 Console Rises.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 09/23/2005 | 08:58 AM ]

Demand for the Xbox 360 game console worldwide seems to be increasing as Japanese customers are getting more interested in the Xbox 360 game than before, whereas at least one U.S.-based online store has pre-sold out of allocated Xbox 360 bundles.

Famitsu Weekly, a news-paper from Japan cited by Joystiq web-site, recently said that Japanese gamers’ interest in purchasing the Xbox 360 nearly quadrupled after Tokyo Games Show (TGS), jumping from 6% to 22%. While exact reasons for the increase remain unclear, observers note that at the TGS the software giant demonstrated Japanese-favorite titles like Armored Core, Bomberman, Gundam, Resident Evil, and Ridge Racer on the Xbox 360.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-based video game e-tailer EBgames.com has pre-sold out of Xbox 360 bundles, Punch Jump web-site reports. The online store had offered the Xbox 360 core bundle at $599.93 and the Xbox 360 ultimate bundle at $699.92. Several retailers, including EB Game’ parent company GameStop, are still taking pre-orders for launch quantities of the Xbox 360, the publication notes.

Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine will provide a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games.

Depending on the bundle, Microsoft Xbox 360 will cost $299 or $399. The software giant will launch the Xbox 360 in North America on November 22^nd. The release will followed by a December 2 launch in Europe and a December 10 launch in Japan.