Dear Japan: Why do you hate the 360?

Nathan Gamer says:
"I just don't understand your lack of interest in the Xbox 360. No, really, I don't see how you can deny a console that offers exactly the kinds of games that have classically piqued the interest of Japanese gamers. Just off the top of my head I can think of Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey, not to mention Tales of Vesperia, which is coming to the 360 in a few months, too. That's four solid JRPG titles that are currently exclusive to Microsoft's system."

[Real gamer 4 life]

LOL this guy is crying cause the japanese don't like the 360, What is wrong does it keep him up at night? Does it hurt your feelings? It shouldn't matter do anybody unless you are a shareholder of microsoft.

[Nevers]

I love them peeps but I wrote em' off long ago when pertaining to the 360.

[CrazzyMan]

or atleast not like them. =) especially, if you are not x360 owner.))

p.s. he cries, because he wants MORE Japan oriented games. Though, x360 this time has FAR MORE Japanese games, then first box had. Capcom support, Namco support, now even Square Enix support, what else would he want???

[ThanatosDMC]

This idiot should have written in Japanese... or did he want some sorry points to go in his pants???

[PimpHandHappy]

and they know whats good and whats not

Thats why they dont buy 360's because they are smarter then that!

[bozobucketeer]

"eltronics"? "then"? You have any idea how ironic it is when you're saying that people who buy 360s aren't smart yet you sound like an idiot yourself?

[staub91]

They are smarter than Americans obviously.

[pumpkinpunker]

who invented video games, the television set, the personal computer, and the internet.

Those Americans don't know anything!

[RemmM]

Truth is, this goes WAY back in history when the US bombed Japan. Is that a good enough reason for you?

[Lifendz]

be glad that the U.S. and Europe are so major otherwise we all might be playing the weird games in Japan.

And trust me, they have some games over there that are just plain weird.

[The Mikester]

Wow the guy who posted this article is a dumbf*ck. Well let me see, Microsoft is an American company which is not likely to show up in Japan. Sony is, get this, Sony is a JAPANESE COMPANY that is in JAPAN and that will not give a da** about Microsoft or its 360. Not only that but Sony(PS3) and Microsoft(Xbox 360) are competitors and RIVALS. So i don't really even know why this guy even posted this article b/c it's commen sense. So...............yeah. He's a dumbf*ck.

[poopface1]

this article was a joke. Everyone knows the 360 has nOOOOOOo chance in japan. My favorite part was the picture of master chief with big eyes.

I think the reason 360 isnt doing good over there is cause xbox1 wasnt as good for them, they would rather buy a japaneese product(any other system), and it has reliability issues. The 360 has alot more Japan oriented games, and I think just straight up better games than xbox 1 did. I dont think its about the games, but about every other part of what the 360 is.

[thePatriot]

why doesnt he ask me (an american) why do I hate (not hate just dont like) the 360?

[FreestyleBarnacle]

William Higinbotham, John Logie Baird, Alan Turing, The Scientists of CERN. What's your point?

[Marojado]

The best thing is, Turing is English, Baird is Scottish, and CERN is situated in Geneva... William Higinbotham is the only American.

[talak]

Just to fill you in with some facts.
The television was invented by John Logie Baird a scotsman
The PC was first thought of by Charles Babbage who was English
And video games where invented by Ralph Baer who was german.
Just so you realise there are other countries.

However back on topic.
Japan have never really got on well with AMerican products, guess it comes from history

[FreestyleBarnacle]

I was really waiting for Mr. Pumpkinpunker to reply and further show his lack of education but thank you both anyway.
By the way the Japanese love cultural exports from America and recently people were seen buying Toyotas made in England and shipped back to their spiritual home. Many problems the Japanese will have with the system are due to lack of cuteness or lack of features broadly agreed to be advanced like Blu-Ray. People like shiny and cute or shiny and advanced neither description completely fits the Xbox.

[dan-boy]

so dont get to carried away yet sony boys..it's unbelievable how far sony have fallen this gen

only 11k in japan, whilst nintendo sells over 4x that amount.

microsoft should do a samsung and drop the japanese market altogether.

http://n4g.com/industrynews...

notice how the data was left out, and how little it's been commented on...lol

[Fototherapist]

That's why the Japanese don't buy the 360. The loud fan, faulty hardware, and games that make sense. These things just don't do it for the Japanese. They prefer sleek, sexy contraptions that offer a whole world of weird, psychotic gameplay. I'm just kidding, I don't know anything about the Japanese. At least I know that America (the U.S.) invented Hollywood, the light bulb, heart bypass surgery, the Corvette, and the Xbox 360.

[FreestyleBarnacle]

http://www.unmuseum.org/lig...

Oh and Heart Bypass Surgery was pioneered by an Argentine Surgeon called René Favaloro. The rest are brand names.

[beoulve]

The answer is one word and 4 letter. RROD. Seriously American might think quality is not a problem, but just looks at Japanese manufacturer, Car and electronic and etc. They're pretty emphasize in quality, didn't tell you something about their culture?

[Fototherapist]

obviously I was being facetious. However, I did not know that Humphrey Davy invented the "arc lamp". Obviously, he didn't invent the light bulb. Thomas Edison did, an American. We could argue semantics all day I suppose. The point is Americans have invented a lot of helpful things just as Europeans have. Quality is important to Americans, but we can't hit a homerun every time we're up to bat. Regarding heart bypass surgery, see this link http://www.foxnews.com/stor...

[godofthunder10]

The reason that the 360 doesn't sell in japan is because they admitted that they hate to buy forign products,especially if they are from the U.S.

When the 360 was out about a year they had two writers from game magazines in Japan that was interviewed.They said that they asked people why they wasn't buying the 360 and the majority said because it wasn't made in Japan and they like to buy products fron Japan so they can help their economy out and they hate to buy forign products especially from the U.S.

If americans start haveing pride in our country like the Japaneese do then we wouldn't be in the shape that we are in now.The U.S econony was one of the strongest in the world before we started letting Japan start selling their products over here.When Japan first starting selling their products in U.S they were the cheapest you could buy.When they caused the american companies to close down because they couldn't compete with their price then they went up on theirs,now it's the most expensive products you could buy.

Japan allows about 30% less imports from the U.S they they export to it and something need to be done about it.If they want allow the same amount of american products to be shipped to Japan we need to stop their products from comeing to the U.S.

I can't understand how can americans wish that any forign company beats any american company and make them shut down.If they hope that things like this happens they need to catch the next plane out of the U.S.If i was them i would be ebarresed to even say a stupid thing like that.I bet that you will never hear one person from Japan say that he hopes an American company beats a company from Japan because they are proud of their country and they wish that it will never lose to anything and that's the way a person should feel about their country and companies in it,they should pull for their country and companies in it,they shouldn't pull against them.

[chelseafc]

soo many frikin breakdowns thats why jeez was on my 9th love ps3 4 ever soo reliable THATS WHY SONY

[pav2323]

I give you props for trying so hard. I only made it to 3 before I gave up the ghost.

[t-0_ot-]

"soo many frikin breakdowns thats why jeez was on my 9th" Uhm, yea.. I call BS on that one. I'm still on my FIRST 360 and I bought it about 5 months after it released..

[sak500]

The kid can't even write properly let alone have the brains to get through 9 breakdowns.

[Guwapo77]

Your time is coming my friend... The reaper will be visiting a console near you very soon.

Remember Guwapo77 told you so. I'll give you till X-ms this year. I got $5 on it.

Edit: oh yeah, atleast 10 hours per week. Don't try to hide it in the closet. >8-Þ

[Bastion]

those that don't own both systems have to be crazy to deny a breaking down 360, I don't usually comment but for whatever reason, some of this talk struck a nerve. I love games, and i am meticulous with my systems. My 360 broke down, and im sure i was among the many that feels like they didn't deserve that. my system was well ventilated, sitting on a glass stand with air beneath for heat to disipate, this is prior to know that there was even an issue, i just take care of things i own. I should not have to baby my system so that it works. I didn't have to do that with anything from sega, nintendo, atari,etc im old enough i've played 'em all. I enjoy developing on the Xbox360 though i must admit, pretty straight forward. sorry for random rant, just really grinded my gears. Geez, the 360 is not even a fixable problem, they have to create slim, it has to be reworked, and they are not going to give me a slim, i'll have to buy it

[AlterEgo]

Westernized flagship titles (Halo, Gears)
Countless FPS Games
Faulty Hardware
Large unattractive box (hardware...and yes, I know the PS3 is larger, but it's sleek-looking)
Price (XBL and necessary add-ons)

[t-0_ot-]

@AlterEgo - Oh, another person thinking the 360 only has FPS..
Let me ask you this..

Where are the RPG's at? The 360.
Where are the strategy games at? The 360.
Where are the RTS games at? The 360.

Try again.

[mfwahwah]

They also don't trust MS from the original Xbox's failure over there. This article was just completely ignorant. The author didn't look at it in a Japanese perspective, but an American one.

[AlterEgo]

@ 3.1

Point me to the part where I said the 360 'only' has fps

I'm talking about the games that 360 does best.

If you're going to argue that the 360 isn't MADE for fps games, then I'm done talking.

of COURSE there are other games, but what the XBOX is known for is fps games.

----

Oh, and for the record.....YOU explain why the Japanese don't buy the 360 if it is the end-all gaming system? (having all the genre's you named)

[Lucreto]

It is Nationalism Japan likes products made in Japan which are usually high quality and seeing an American machine with its few problem just doesn't interest them.

I believe the Japanese are patient people and can stand waiting and that ethos is gone into their business practices. For Example PS Home

A Japanese person I know believes most of the RPGs will hit the PS3 soon and he will wait longer for it.

As for Amercia they like the now now now approach. Not really interest on what is to come but interested on what can you give today. For example a lot of business didn't expect the credit crunch and just kept buying loans. But in Japan it is a long term plans are more important.

It all boils down to the big difference in Culture.

[Real gamer 4 life]

Well i-pods sell well in japan, and nike sneakers as well. I just think that they see the ps3 as a better value. The japanese are very smart people, and they love high end technology. They see the ps3 as a better hardware then the xbox 360, which is true. Like for instance is blueray, Blueray right now is blowing up in japan. So the inclusion of blueray in every ps3, They see it ass a bonus. Not to mention the wifi and cards reader ect ect. And i also agree with you japanese people being patience. Microsoft thinks that time exclusivity with the major rpg franchise is going to help them in japan. When in fact it wont, cause the japanese know that these game will be released for the ps3. Games like last remament star ocean eternal sonata and tales of vesperia. All those rpg are all time exclusive, and they know Microsoft just pays the money so that it can be released in their console first. When eternal sonata is released for the ps3, pay attention to the software numbers to see if it out sells the 360 version.

[funkysolo]

The 360 hardware is garbage and how can you fault a nation because a company like M$ release a crappy product. The 360 is not made in the US. What people don't realise is that M$ has spent more money on promotions, and paid off to retailers than they have on making a quality product...If someone doesn't buy a 360, it's because they are smart and not because it's made in another country.. If you bought a car and the news and forums were reporting 33 percent failure rate, what does that say about you? Most people are cautious shoppers and retailers have did a deservice to consumers by hiding the truth about the 360

[Daver]

@5.1 Real gamer 4 life

Sorry dude i hit the disagree button by mistake

[specialguest]

Well, Japan has always viewed American electronic products as inferior and unreliable and the 360 with it's RROD issue is definitely not helping.

Also, you will not get those "Only For Japan" type of games on the 360.

[t-0_ot-]

@funkysolo - It has nothing to do with reliability.. And, if you think it does, then why did Japan NOT buy the original xBox? It had no problems, at least that I know about. Even if the original xBox had problems, the PS2 had WAAAY more problems..

So, reliability.. is outta the question.

[zer0man1]

Well said. I would also add that the Japanese have a very strict sense of business ethics, and will not support any company that appears to have knowingly marketed a defective product.

Even though the RROD issue has been almost completely forgiven by the majority of the 360 community it was a devastating blow to Microsoft's integrity in the eyes of Japanese consumers.

[Poor Xbots]

Poor Xbots

Poor Xbots, because people in Japan are smart knowing the fixme dvd player is a lemon. Poor Xbots, Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey, and Tales of Vesperia are not FF worthy.

Poor Xbots

[SSCOOLCHEA]

are far more advance in years than we are .Remember the old saying the japanese get there stuff 5 years before we do . So why would they want to go backwards and buy a xbot ?

[CyberSentinel]

....and it NEVER was.

Japan shows their true colors. Those colors are red, white and NO blue. Why America even cares about this little close minded community, I'll never know. There was a time when we needed the Nintendo's and Sega's of this world, but that time is long gone.

Next generation M$ should just pass japan over.

No hard feelings japan, the feeling is just mutual.

[Overr8ed]

because they the the Xbox isnt going to give them nothing but a RROD. =D

[syanara]

America should care because lots of the stuff we have is from Japan and the international trade we have with them is good for the economy.

Japan really is all about anime and robotics and gadgets. halo and gears of war are both american action games you don't see master cheif doing flips and sumersaults in a battle. its just their style they like those types of games in Japan

[snakeater3]

of course we dont need japan .....who needs the metal gears? the resident evils? the final fantasies? the onimushas or the soul caliburs ? no one. the tekkens? the icos? the dantes and neros? how about the gran turismos? or the pesses? nobody....we ll be fine with generic fps's and offroad racers thankyou, with the occasional gta to spice things up. grow up cyber......japan is the cradle of videogaming as we know it....if you deny that, you are denying yourself a whole spectrum of gaming experiences.

[CyberSentinel]

Please tell me why we would not have either of those things if M$ decided not to sell 1 little product in Japan? As it is, Xbox360's presence in Japan is non existence anyway.

let's speculate....

let say M$ decided to drop the price of all 3 sku's TODAY,

$99.99 Arcade
$199.99 Pro (60 Gig)
$299.99 Elite (120 Gig)

Who would deny that this kind of price point and marketing strategy would not enable them to achieve that goal (hypothetically speaking)

If M$ concentrated their efforts on capturing the American and European markets, most if not all, companies that want to sell their games globally, will do so in foreign markets if the numbers make sense to do so.

Tell me please why this would not be the case?

Please no fanboy chaff. Tell me why this would not work.

[GameDev]

Japanese has the most advanced electronics on the planet, no one except a few lame japs would buy outdated tech like the 360.

[B-Rein]

Cus the sh*tebox is a peice of garbage, japanese people realise the difference between quality (ps3) and garbage (xbox360). also who would buy a system that would eventually crash on em (as in thers a cartian time till they get rrod) i mean nearly all xbox 360s share that fate they eventually get rrod,

plus if its all that powerful how come all the games that come out now (that unlocked 360s potential) cause rrod, that means the 360 cant handle its own games for long term

if you realised 360 barley got rrod b4 cus no games were useing the 360s full potential now that the games are started to 360 gets rrod thats y my sh*te box got it

[CyberSentinel]

No one can intelligently argue against my logically sound comments.

@1.7 and 1.8: I already said "No" to Japan.
How about addressing the issues I proposed in 1.6.

[syanara]

well if the prices were like that it would sell like crazy everwhere BUT Japan however if the ps3 did the same thing it would sell like crazy in all 3 markets and Japan has a pretty big population for being such a small country. the DS has sold over 23 million in Japan but the point I was trying to make earlier was that stopping all trade with japan with not only the 360 is bad if your talking 360 only then yea MS might want to go ahead and screw it and leave however in the ps3's case Japan is a big market for them along with europe those two areas the ps3 is doing great and america is where the 360 is doing great. so in all the ps3 has two good markets right now and the 360 has one and if the 360 lowered its price like you said the ps3 would also have to

[Tmac]

Itz just difference in culture, dont take it personally.

[cloudman]

This is like racist. What kind of response is he lookin for?

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

Agreed. What he wrote is pretty racist and steryotypicle.

Why did I get a disagree?

[Veryangryxbot]

Dear American kid,

Why do you insist Japan hates your precious bricking console?

Why do you insist that because a company produces a bricking console that Japan is left but no choice but to buy that crap.

Why do you insist that because that company than proceeds to secure some JRPG, that the people of Japan have no choice but to purchase a bricking console?

And when they do no such thing, why do you hate on them.

Reality check: I wouldnt buy a bricking piece of crap called 360 EITHER. And I dont live in Japan, Hahaha!

[t-0_ot-]

How is what he wrote racist? Maybe a little bit stereotypical, but not racist

@Veryangryxbot - What you wrote does not explain why Japan didn't buy the original xBox..

[Mai Dong]

Being lacist is just sirry if you ask me.

[Ital50Stal]

It wasnt racist...and can you really disagree with the stereotype he made??? japanese ppl are into F'ed up things and games only do well if the characters have huge eye balls and have some sexy school girl getting raped lol

I agree with him and i am not even american

ps..I love when people pull out the race card for needless reasons.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

Because people have different tastes about things and video games is one of them.

[LevDog]

Um cause it sucks.. Its way over priced for what it offers.. and you have to pay for online.. Japan has always been into the NEW TECH.. 360 is old tech.. people are still paying 300+ for a DVD player with average graphics for games.. oh and you still have to pay online.. Oh you dont get wifi or blue tooth or rechargable batteries.. Oh and you still have to pay for online.. people who dont like stuff with a high failure rate and no exclusive games.. oh and you still have to pay for online..

360 is just an overpriced hunk of junk.. but at least you can play your dvds on it and watch sub dvd quality streamed video..but hey they are getting FF tho right? Oh wait thats just another Multi platform game they are trying to show off.. hmm at least it has Gears2 right? oh wait it looks like the first one covered in moss..

360 sucks..

[SpecialSauce]

japan is way ahead in tech so when they look at the xbox with it crummy @ss disk tray they just get turned off. i think if MS made a newer version of xbox and ripped out the disk tray and even made it a little smaller they would see a huge spike in sales especially in Japan.

[t-0_ot-]

Average graphics? Try again, Nasim.

And, who gives a fck if you have to pay for online? It's only $50 a year.. that's fcking $4 a month.. Big deal. The MILLIONS of people who play WoW online pay like $14 a MONTH. All that bashing, just cause you can't pay $4 a month..

[LevDog]

Doesnt change the fact that you still pay for online does it? Also yes.. Ps3 raised the bar for graphics with MGS4, Uncharted, Kz2, and Resistance 2.. So yes by Ps3 standards 360s graphics are average.. Your Gears 2 looks exactly like Unreal for Ps3.. and those graphics are well average..

[Veryangryxbot]

Japan buying or not buying the 360 or the original xbox really does not concern you.

Smart people dont buy crap. And thats exactly how it should be. If you cannot handle that, then go cry us a frikkin river. Because no one cares. Japan is indeed not buying the bricking console. And Ill tell you a little secret here. Japan will not buy any 720 either. Japan will not buy any 1440. Japan will not buy any 2880. HAHA OWNED.

Cry us a river if you do not like it.

Why do you insist that they are racists for not buying your console. In what manual is it said that one has to buy an American console or else labeled RACIST...xbot manual? Haha you idiots are frikkin retarded.

And 4 bucks a month is no big deal? ROFL. DELUSIONAL. ITS 50 bucks...EVERY FKING YEAR, you turd. You already paid HUNDRED bucks just to use a service. Thats TWO FKING YEARS. And you will continue to pay TWO HUNDRED MORE for the next 4 years, TOTAL THREE HUNDRED BUCKS.
NO BIG DEAL?

Just goes to show that the xbot crowd really is not that smart and really do consist of people from the lower parts of society who cant afford a PS3 and thought that they were CHEAPER off with a 360. They are just plain stupid and delusional. They thought they pick 360 and thus get to play everything the PS3 has to offer and when it turns out that they dont, they go online and trash every PS3 exclusive. And when it turns out that noone else in the world wants a bricking console, they call people racist and what else.

Have fun with your RED LIGHTS. You people deserve it.

[GameDev]

thats the best xbot ass whooping i have read on here in a long time.

kudos dude

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

In Japan they like stuff that is reliable. ex. Toyota, Honda, Sony products, Nintendo products, Blu-ray. Not Sturns, Pontiacs and Microsft Products, HDDVD's.

[ichimaru]

Japan is about tradition, and follow it to the root

[Daxx]

reported.

[red_ring_of_death]

they dont like crap

[Reibooi]

I would say they didn't care for the first Xbox because it was from a American company and they were not used to gaming consoles from American company's and as far as I know Microsoft has been marketing it quite poorly. Sakaguchi-san said awhile ago in a interview that Microsoft simply doesn't know how to promote it in Japan and therefore no one takes interest in it. Oh and the fact that the thing breaks so often probably doesn't help. It takes months to get a repaired one here I can't imagine what its like in Japan if its worse.

[user858621]

according to the graph 2 took 1 month for xbox 3fixme 2 get pawned by the ps3!!! talk bout embarrasing lmao!!! hahahaha!!!

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

LOL on the first day the PS3 came out it matched the amount of xbox's sold there.

[Mr_Potato_]

megalol one day and MS was dead. Talk about total instant ownage. Trophy unlocked. xD

Japanese are too smart to buy this sh*t.

[DarkCowMoo]

I guess it's really a cultural things, seriously- unless this guy profits from MS sells, why does he care?

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

Also I agree with LovDog, Japan is a High Tech country. And xbox 360 just doesn't cut it.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Who cares? As long as the Japanese devs show 360 love I could give 2 flops about what the Japanese people think about the 360. If it's anything like the hate I have for the Japanese PS3 then it's a lost cause.

[user858621]

wen americans make a console it gets the RROD

wen japs make a console its gets a glossy sexy finish, and ohhh dat slot drive and the touch buttons!!

praise the japs!! if it wasn't for them we wudnt have mario, zelda, metal gear, ico

[GiantEnemyCrab]

The first Xbox was a TANK with superior hardware. The PS2 was prone to huge DRE problems, which the ignorant masses I guess gave them a pass and totally forgot about it. The difference between the American company is they lived up to their RROD problem eventually while the Japanese company told you to GO FVCK YOURSELF!

@.3: Umm. So there answer was to buy another system and you're calling me an idiot? MS fixed their problem for FREE while Sony told you to buy another system. Big difference dumbass.

@.4: Yeah, I know telling the truth to you mental wacko PS3 fishheads is really grounds for being bot of the week. How ironic someone with the name RROD is calling me out as a fanboy.

[user858621]

yh microsoft solved the rrod by making new consoles which is wat sony did with the ps2! even heard of the slim ps2 idiot!!

[rroded]

@ giant pubic crab

LOL ur up for fanbot of the week

[BLUR111]

GiantEnemyCrab was of a ps3 game dumbass. one that failed major

[SpecialSauce]

when my 360 broke they gave me a new one for free but when my ps3 broke (wouldn't play gta) sony made me pay $150 for an issue that was not my fault at all. but seriously MS should come up with a new design to fix rrod. the fact that it's still happening to newer consoles is just upsetting.

[t-0_ot-]

Yea, it sucks that the 360 has problems, but at least they fix it for you, without charge. People seem to forget that xBox 1 didn't have any problems. The PS1 was great and I don't recall any problems with it, however the PS2 had MANY problems..

[Pain]

"The first Xbox was a TANK with superior hardware. The PS2 was prone to huge DRE problems."

-First fthe XBOX 1 was REALLY Nothing more then a PC in a Big Black Case. No differnt then the more or less Laptop parts jammed in XBOX 2.

-Second the PS2 DRE was a Small error for a VERY Small time and ABSOLUTELY MOST DEFINITELY NOT AS BAS AS RROD, and was not a fault of R&D like RROD.

And "if' u had a Dre prob it was FIXED once and NEVER AGAIN....unlike 360's....

M$ had to Go as far as Do TOTAL Install's to Keep Xbox's that have/will/or Might RROD how lame is that for hardware oh but u bots wont believe that its M$ showering u with Golden love....

Every time u speak Crab i lose hope for Humanity that much more.

and Japan Dislikes the XBOX since it REEKS of American Everything, Attitude and shoddy design.

[caffman]

my step sons brand new ps2 just over a year ago had the Dre problem. Sony said nothing we can do take it back to the shop. Good job F#*king $ony!

[cwir]

They just know what's good (and what's not :P)

[DJ]

Japanese people are going to automatically like them. The huge sales of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Resistance over there proves that Japanese gamers, just like any other gamers, are usually more concerned with quality and diversity.

I would hate it if Nintendo or Sony gave me games that were strictly "American RPG, American Racing, or American Action."

[Rob0g0rilla]

Seriously, it's not our problem to care.

[SKUD]

Well he made his first attempt to care and it wasn't a very good one.

[Zerodin]

Kthnx bai!
What, am I supposed to feel threatend?

[Daxx]

Internet tough guy, huh? Please be more considerate of other cultures, that's all I'm asking for. Not everyone in Japan are lolicon-lovers as you seem to think.

[Aclay]

The Japanese have always embraced Japanese based consoles and Japanese products and I don't blame them. They supported the PS1, and PS2, and they are going to support the PS3. (and of course the Wii) I mean, why wouldn't Japanese people support products from Japanese companies?

The majority of the games from the Xbox brand don't really appeal to Japanese gamers, and the majority of Japanese developers have been very close to the Playstation brand over the years too, so it seems pretty obvious that Japanese people are going to buy Sony and Nintendo products and just leave the Xbox sitting on the shelf.

Also, I think that some of the more traditional Japanese people think that some American products are just "garbage".

I think that it's pretty ironic because most people in America would probably choose to buy a product from Sony or some other Japanese or foriegn company than to buy the same type of product that was from an American company. For example, if you polled 100 people in America and you asked them would they rather buy a Vizio HDTV or a Sony HDTV, and I bet that at least 90-99% of those people would say Sony because EVERYONE in the world knows that Sony makes the best. Sometimes I think that American products just.... suck (except for Apple).

Once Final Fantasy XIII comes out in Japan for the PS3 and other RPG's, the Xbox 360 will become more dead than it already is in Japan.

[Real gamer 4 life]

You hit it right in the money AclayPS3. I agree with you 100 percent on the poll question as well. Only company in america that makes good stuff is apple. Sony bravia t.v line has the most beautiful picture than any other t.v manufacture.

[Tyrael]

It really sucks if you break it down: Microsoft works really hard to bring more JRPGs on board and turn their platform into less of a FPS system, and now everyone is still scared of having their 360 break down. I love mine, and fortunately only had to get it fixed once...

[funkysolo]

360 is like rebates...You have to mail it in and wait to get the full discount...It all comes down to trust. How as a consumer can you have trust in M$ after they sold you a defected console and then you turn around and defend it like the defected problems are because of the consumers...Japanese would buy 360 if M$ offered the reliability, service, games as their competition...which they don't..It's common sense people and I don't know why you 360 fans want to push your crappy hardware unto us the consumer. As an american you should be ashame of yourself

[cmrbe]

1. Not reliable. Japanese have very high standards when it come to electronics. Actually in everything. Anyone that knows Japanese people and culture knows that they always strive for prefection in everything they do.

2. xbox is an unknown brand still in gaming as its relatively new.Those that know the xbox brand associate it with western style games still.

3. x360 is not hip. lets face it. Its a very bland and ugly console design wise.

MS needs to localise the x360 in markets they enter in order to compete. MS knows the Western markets especially NA because they are from NA but they don't really have a clue about other markets and what makes them tick.

I hope people don't take it personal. To be fair. The Japanese wonder why on earth people put up with hardware with 33% failure rate. Its just different culture.

[Anon1974]

...as a culture they aren't crazy. They work hard for their money and won't spend it on a console with a one in three chance of being defective. Seriously, I own one but at least when I bought it I wasn't aware of the defects. I'm on Xbox 360 number 4 now, and I don't care that MS fixes it for free now (although I had to pay $170 twice, and then had to fight for a refund both times) had I known the headache the system would be I would have skipped it and just waited for a PS3. Sure it's had some great games, but for me it wasn't worth the aggravation. I almost never play that damn thing anymore because the last unit they sent me was older than the one it replaced and I don't want it up and dying on me again.
A rational person would hear stories like this, think "Huh. 30% die, eh? Maybe I'll hold off." Apparently the North American market is anything but rational.

[Pedobear]

Im glad someone else gets it. I was beginning to think I was the only one.

Bubble +

[power of Green]

That was funny... As long as their devs make me games I guess thats all that matters.

360 has to be boasted as a super duper futuristic time traveling device.

I'm guessing it has something to do with Gaming being part of the Japanese cultural idenity(please don't come at me with MCdonalds and cell phone company theories).

Maybe MSFT offended them going in that market thinking they can push them around who knows.

I know it takes them longer to adjust, the devs are just now willing to admit the westeren market is where the growth is.

MSFT is *now* only being beat by PS3 by 2 to 1 now.

Attatude/marketing...

[itchygrossrash]

You have to understand Japan...they are VERY protective of their domestic markets. Things like xbox not outselling the 360...is no 'accident". They just don't promote it nearly as well. And not to mention they have fanboys that we just can't compete with. They sold their soul a long time ago...to be able to get a taste of their franchise games...

The marketing is just WAY better for the ps3

[504BADBOY]

AMERICA SHOULD BE THE SAME WAY TOWARDS THEM BUT THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN BECAUSE YALL LOVE SUPPORTING OTHERS INSTEAD UR OWN

[matchgrade]

Take it easy there, cowboy. It's not a race war.

[504BADBOY]

playboy i never said it was but if we was like them instead of stick riders microsoft would be on top its a american company 4 gods sake

[Bill Gates]

Because it's a piece of sh!t......AAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA

[caffman]

go back to waiting under your rock for home to come out will you?

[power of Green]

There could have been some sort of code of conduct/nationalism/honor thing MSFT missunderstood when approaching that market.

I know it isn't laser failures(PS2) or RROD(360) that would change their minds.

[Mr_Potato_]

One thing you must understand once and for all :
- people don't like Americans that much in nearly every country in the world, especially since Bush Jr.
- MS is considered as the ultimate mega corporation. And people HATE megacorps
- MS behavior (asking for money for everything, greed, selling failed products...) is despised

All this contributes to reduce drastically Xbox sales worldwide. First thing to do would be to make people FORGET MS makes the console. (use another brand, I don't know).

Second thing would be to reduce greed, remove adverts and make Live free, after all PSN gives the same thing for free now.

Third thing would be to buy / create 1st / 2nd party studios to make games. Sony has 30, MS has 2. No wonder they loose.

Fourth thing would be to make a more hi-tech console.

[Rageanitus]

1)Japan like sleek electronics i.e. apple products... I doubt they want unreliable hardware
2)More diverse games that cater to that market.
3)Sony has never really swayed beyond its strategy of promoting and supporting the PS brand

[vlazed]

Play KILLER 7 and you will understand why.

[Bazookajoe_83]

MS had a bad start with the rrod and i think it has hurt their reputation pretty hard..

[athlon770]

If Microsoft would have released the 360 along side the PS3, they (MS) would not have the following they have today. People would see the 360 for what it is and the PS3 would be the console of choice.

Instead, MS did a very risky move by releasing the 360 ahead of schedule. And everyone "jumped in" for the mere lack of competition. Now you have everyone and their brother that has a 360 telling everyone else that it has all these great games and what are we supposed to do. By being released early, the 360 had kind of become the "default" system of choice...I could buy the 360 and play with ALL of my friends, or I can buy the PS3 and only have 1 or 2 friends to play with. Well I think we know why the 360, having the issues it still has, is selling so well.

Over in Japan, they don't have this problem. They see the 360 for what it is and choose the PS3.

At least that is my opinion :)

[Pedobear]

Go back to cutting your wrists while playing your 360 and stop trying to force your console on others.

This a blog and should be reported.

[Daxx]

BAWWWWWWW.jpg

:P

[power of Green]

MSFT has to show the 360 as:

*In a white futuristic room with the 360 pulsating connected to the Japanese people brains where they link up like in The Matrix movies jumping in and out of virtual worlds.

*An anime cartoon Box with Orange sized eyes running though a field of flowers populated with people passing around games with it's pet cat.

[CAPT IRISH]

very interesting ideas........

[Mai Dong]

YES! YES! Dat would make me learry want an Xbox! Gleat idea! I so sirry.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

cmon? American market might be where the growth is but that was 2007.
this summer & next fall ps3 owned everyday.
xbox360's install base is being chopped away by gamers who don't
take peoples word for it. Try a ps3 for yourself lately, you will be shocked as to
what xbox360 can't do.
its advanced, its whatever you make it do for you.
xbox360 is old, faulty & in all 3 years of its life only
Has 5 good games. It cost you 50 bucks a year
because microsoft needs it more than you do.
you disrespect yourself & your friends with that is dishonorable
& in japan that could get your pinky finger cut off.
xbox360 3 years & counting. What will it be remembered for?
RROD!
Gears
Halo
RROD
little DVD RPG
RROD
$$$ for brand loyalty
xbox gamers are why America is still capitolistic
today.
They work to spend $ on being entertained
by stupid stuff.
look at what they watch on tv.
look at thier movies. (thank god for bringing marvel back though)
look at the clothes they wear
& look at thier music.
its all mainstream crap.
nothing original.
no new ideas
boring
until you pay for it.

[caffman]

played a PS3
just bought a Wii
and you know what. Resistance online looks and plays like a pile of steaming turds. And most multis look better on the 360 Bar the blu-ray player there is not one thing on the PS3 I want or need. And I can pick a blu ray player up now for a £100 less than a PS3 making buying one even more pointless. There are NO games currently on it that I want to play and that includes MGS4, the so called xbox killer. If its that good why hasn't it sold more? If I really wanted one I could've got a 60gb PS3 for £270 the other day. But I don't.
Oh one last thing. I don't mind paying for live because its better than PSN and I'm not a pauper.
And before anybody thinks why I got a wii, I have 4 kids.
But why am I talking to you? You can't answer!

[eagle21]

Wait, they took them back to the store. My bad...

[Mr_Potato_]

That's not their fault, they already have a cheaper grill.

Seriously, why would they buy that crap when they can buy a PS3 ? No games to come except stupid Unreal engine shooters (there's Banjo too, my bad), no blueray, 110 % failure rate and you pay for online... Japanese are smart, they won't buy the console of yesterday.

And every JRPG will come to PS3, it would make no sense otherwise, even if every japanese 360 owner buys them, it will only make 4 copies sold after all.

[juuken]

One word: Microsoft.

Two Words: Brand Loyalty.

Two companies: Sony and Nintendo.

One reason: Japanese like reliability and quality.

[zapass]

and besides, they eat rice so they don't need a toaster

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

[azmanmanz]

Xbot Very very poor quality

[zapass]

bubbles++;

[incogneato]

Japan has good taste in hardware and games, thats why they hate the 360.

[gumgum99]

Japanese tend to like mech genres, RPG's platformer's, basically anything that Sony and Nintendo has as far as genres are concerned.

The Xbox 360? not so much. Although there's some variety(especially during the launch window in 2005) it mostly consist of Shooters and everything in between.

Japanese just don't get into that kind of stuff like the americans do

[Mr BlueScreen]

All Xbox 360 owners must hate Japan. A friend of mine Is really racist towards Chinese and Japanese people, just because of SONY, and because china is overpopulated. I try telling him that japanese people are way ahead of the us as far as tech gos and there really smarter than us to.

My moron of a friend tells me he only owns a 360 because its American. I try telling my moron of a so called friend that if he were to open the 360 up he would find parts made in China or Japan NOT America.

I find this article very racist.
I also see this article as a kid or 360 fanboy who feels though that the 360 is dead and wonders why japan won't buy Halo to bring the console back.
I am American and this makes us look really REALLY BAD.

[HelghastGeneral]

Well to this date there's about twenty two million playstation 2's launched in japan. Japanese gamers still play playstation 2 and when xbox launched it did horrible and their very few games it sold a total of around four hundred thousand units. So Japanese gamers with a Japanese library of games twice as big as the English library of course would upgrade to playstation 3 eventually and they did. About 19 million playstations were sold in japan as well with another huge library so you have these gamers playing sony brand for over ten years.

So all those gamers with 22 million ps2s and 19 million playstations probably see no interest in getting an xbox360 especially when the first xbox did horrible.

I am pretty sure japanese people are well educated as well it was them most that developed the cell processor and blue ray. They know what a true next generation system is and what is a fake to make a profit like windows vista.

[TheBatman_Fanatic]

Xbox sucks and they want to buy there reliable system and we do to, 360 is garbage. Gears 2 looks the same as the first and it will get boring quick!

[Z501]

Guess he forgot about that year headstart with NO competition.

Think about it.

[Agent VX]

Japan has a bad reputation of being racist and nationalist. Their history bears this out, and still runs rampant in their culture.

Thus the losey sales of an "American Product". Even their racist and protectionist policy on imported goods in Japan shows they still struggle with racism.

[zer0man1]

"Japan has a bad reputation of being racist and nationalist. Their history bears this out, and still runs rampant in their culture."

So does America!

[Wii60Fan]

Running through the middle of the "article" was most annoying. Poorly written blog and bad design choices.

[dutchdolo1586]

Maybe its because America dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki during WWII. Or maybe because Xbox has faulty hardware who knows?

[MikeHawk]

that was hilarious!

[red5ive]

four are jrpgs from xbox do sound nice, but have u seen the games offered on the japanese ps network?? there is a lot. this proves that there are so many non-ps network ps3 games released within japan only. games we will probably never ever hear about.

[SmokingMonkey]

always has, always will.
anything over 5% failure rate is unacceptable

[Mr Marbles]

how do you explain the success of the PS2 in Japan?

Also, This myth that all American products are bad is well, a myth.

Americans are bad at cars and consumer electronics, they are great at Aerospace, green technology, medical science, and quite a few more things, best in the world in fact at many of these. Many of you should do a little research before you trash your own country based on stuff you are told by America hating self loathing liberals.

[ThaGeNeCySt]

Mr Marbles thank you, I was JUST about to ask how the PS2 was so successful in Japan when it had a horrible lens issues when it launched

[SmokingMonkey]

ps2 has air vents to help keep it cool, hence dust gets on the lense, you can have that cleaned, the 360 on the other hand warps the motherboard when it overheats. that can't be cleaned, it needs to be replaced.
dusty lense vs warped motherboard

oh and SONY fixed the PS2 problems

[djroberts]

I kind of get it. Mostly FPS and Americanized games were hyped early on and the Japanese don't care too much for either of those. It took some time for the JRPGs to come around and by then the Wii and PS3 were out. I think Japanese also are very concerned with quality and the 360 has a bit of a bad rep.

[AngryTypingGuy]

For everyone who says the Japs aren't getting 360's because it's "not high-tec", I have two words for you: Nintendo Wii. The Wii is a last-gen system with an alternate input device. If the Wii were truly all about high-tec, then more 360's would've sold than Wii's.

True, the older 360s have had numerous hardware problems. But Xbox 1 had no problems, in fact the PS2's hardware problems are much more documented than any Xbox 1 had, and Xbox 1 still sold like crap in Japan.

This leads to three possible conclusions: Either the Japanese fear change, or they just don't want American products, or they are simply extremely loyal to their own. I think it may be a combo of all three.

[LoVeRSaMa]

Your forgetting the Original Xbox came out like 5 years after PlayStation 2, maybe more...

Japan is all about technology, and PlayStation in its 3rd Generation of Console are all about that.

Sony is also a Home grown Company and does not carry the same arrogance as M$.

The lol360 also Sucks ass =]

(Sorry could not help myself =])

[AngryTypingGuy]

Many Japanese don't like Americans. They don't embrace the 360 because it's American and because they would rather contribute to their own economy rather than an American company, plain and simple.

[Obama]

lol have you been to Japan at all? I am pretty sure that they like Americans more than any Europeans.

[Baka-akaB]

Of course japanese are pretective of their console hardware , however let's be honest , it's not as if the 360 truely proposed something that worked there yet .

They had an awful launch line up without anything interesting for them , with a faulty console .
The much hyped first jrpg of the 360 didnt deliver .
Yes THEY DIDNT . Enchanted arms is forgettable (while imo quite good), Eternal sonata is decent but still pretty weak , only worth for a launch .
And most of all the big hyped blockbusters that were the two mistwalker games Lost Odyssey and Blue dragon were average titles ... so still decent games , but hugely hyped as the second birth of a square like studio .

I can hear fans of both game screaming at me , but however you cut it , when as a japanese jrpg player you get to play stuff like P3 FEs or 4 , mana khemia 2 and others , numerous DS rpgs , ff7 crisis core ... something like Lost odyssey with mostly it's next gen hype and no much to offer compared to ps2/ds/psp rpgs , would naturally fails .

Now MS is picking up steams with a tales and others good stuff , but it's too little too late there , and the hardware is still faulty .

And i'm so far only talking about rpg , as you'd notice . Of course Sony didnt even offer anything of value yet in the jrpg area ... however they had the promise of FFXIII from the start , footage from the Level 5 studio that so far always delivers , and many's assumption that the PS3 would be the successor of the ps2's jrpg kingdom .
And let's not forget nintendo neither with already a dragon quest spin off , now a tales , and still DS big jrpgs .

[Genki]

so much about what other people think.

[Mr Marbles]

were actually polled on this, they said they don't like the marketing campaign of the 360 in Japan; I guess it is really corny to them, other than that most of the Japanese said the console was fine, they also mentioned that it is very hard to find 360 games in stores, very poor selection over there.

Sounds like most of you are reading way too much into this, the 360 sales were flat in Japan even before the RROD was common knowlege.
Also the Japanese like lots of other American products.

[pumpkinpunker]

the author obviously isn't being serious.

[mistertwoturbo]

"Also the Japanese like lots of other American products."

Yes but that's generalizing too much. There are millions of Japanese people, just because "SOME" of them likes american products do not automatically make their nation all like american products.

Seriously, try to sell a Japanese person a Chevy or Ford and tell them it's better than Honda or Toyota.

[thisguywithhair]

This is the most racist and pretentious article I have ever read, anywhere. This guys seems to think that the Japanese only like to play JRG's. Why? Because they have the word Japan in them? Or could it be because they don't play the console that is popular in America?

That really does make those Japanese crazy because, as we all know, America is a mirror to the rest of the world.

And that bit abouth if there is a robot (or robot looking people) and cartoon women really just shows this guys contempt for everyone that doesn't think within the incredibly narrow confines of this guys mind.

And people wonder why Americans are looked down upon worldwide?

[farsided]

going so far as to call this article racist is quite a bit over the top. it is slightly factual considering the fact that virtually every game over there does feature anime-style characters, and where do you think power rangers, voltron, gundams, etc. (aka big robots!) all came from? japan! so quit being anal, and try to appreciate the humor in the article.

[thisguywithhair]

Slightly factual to say that the Japanese should absolutly love a game just because it has a purple computer woman and the main character looks like a robot? Or to say that the Xbox should be the best selling system just because it has RPG's (let alone JRPG's) on it? This is lowest common denominator reporting based on ancient stereo-types.

So if this is slightly factual I should be able to say that because alot of Americans are overweight that health food should be the least popular food in America? We both know how wrong that is buddy.

BTW: If this is humour, than I would prefer to never laugh again.

[zodiac909]

OH WOW!!! 4 JRPGS!!! THATS DEFINATELY ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM BUY A 360!! plus all those rpgs sucked anyway! and sony and nintendo are *cough* japanese consoles...and are better known for those games!

[farsided]

i think you need to just take this article as what it is...an amusing read, and leave it at that (props to the part about giving spiderman a zord). the japanese market is ridiculously different from our own, and as you can see, they're 10x more into the wii over there than we are here, and that really says something about how much of their player base is "casual".

[solar]

i dont hate 360, i hate its reliability. imo the only reason it sells in america so well is bratty pre teens who want it to play with friends and parents who buy it for them. any logical person does not buy a faulty product.

[AngryTypingGuy]

It sells so well because there are a lot of people who prefer the Xbox's exclusives over the PS3's. Not to mention, Live attracts the hardcore gamers. Look how many more games the 360 sells than the PS3. Many people are buying the PS3 just for BluRay. The software charts prove it. Not all 360's are faulty, especially newer ones.

[silverchode]

the 360 barely leads worldwide in software sold. it only owns the ps3 in america.10millvs5mill

[The Mikester]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm NO! The PS3 is not just being bought for the Blu-Ray it has. The PS3 has many games, updates, and hardware coming out for it and people are actually interested. HOME is coming soon to and i know that everybody will be playing that game 24/7 b/c it's FREE! and you can talk to your buddies, hang out, and meet new people. I don't see the XboxPleaseFixMe with anything like that. The 360 doesn't have Blu-Ray, it doesn't have MGS4, it doesn't have HOME, it doesn't have FREE ONLINE, and pretty much everything that deals with the 360 cost money.

[mr_saturn]

What a fanboy. It's doing well everywere else.

[VampHuntD]

That those are all good games. I thought LO was decent, but BD and Eternal both sucked hard core.

[pumpkinpunker]

once the exclusive square jrpgs and Naruto games are released.

when lost odyssey was first out there were a couple weeks when the 360 was selling almost as much as the PS3 in Japan.

Halo will take off eventually in Japan. It can't be denied! The series is just flat out quality.

[farsided]

problem: the japanese market doesn't like fps's... quality or not.

[linkmaster95]

Dear dim witted american child, The japanese buy quality consoles, not ones that managed to lose the market to our local champ console, Wii. besides if it loses to nintendo in america, it loses worse to nintendo in Japan!

[mistertwoturbo]

It's like asking "Why do Japanese people buy Japanese cars?"

Put a Ford or Chevy into a reliability test against Honda or Toyota.

Question answered.

[gersh]

This is stupid :/

[Greedy Genius]

he talks about how 360 have rpgs now and stuff. does this guy really think that MS can run with Sony in japan when it comes to consoles. this guy has no idea how much power sony has in japan. @ pumkinpunker i doubt sales will improve in japan, once sony gets its rpgs especially white knight chronicles sales take off for ps3 in japan and will surpass the wii's b/c it will not have kickass rpgs like sony, not to sound like a fanboy or nuffin, just saying whats on my mind

[Lionsguard]

It's their way of retaliation against..ya..know...*COU" fatman, littleboy"GH* perhaps they're not over it??

[poopface1]

oopps

[Enigma_2099]

... Duh.

[JeepGamer]

Ask yourself why games from America were sold under a sign titled "Western Dog S***" for months in one Japanese store without anyone really having a problem with it.

Once you have basically accepted how that reality came in to being... No, I mean once you accept how that reality REALLY came in to being... You will understand why the 360 doesn't do well in Japan.

[RadientFlux]

If true it makes me proud that I end up disliking most games that come from Japan. There are a few exceptions though (ie ICO).

[jessupj]

It's because the japanese have taste and are educated.

[Egzekutor]

Because Japan is one of the richest countries in the world and they dont buy cheap hardware which will break after a few days of usage. They prefer a reliable console.

[xxBATTLECATxx]

cuz ur a fat slob and you smell like body odor

[FAQS]

Q: Why Japanese hate Xbox360?
A: Eaxctly like most Europeans like Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Danmark, Netherlands...They Know xbox360 is a deffective piece of hardware...they don't like to be cheated, buying sh!t instead of a console!....

[InMyOpinion]

They want products to be as light as possible as well as packed with features. Usability & navigation comes second.

[power of Green]

I do agree Wii does not weigh much...

We don't know what kind of developemnt suppport MSFT had/has on the ground over there.

The marketing and media may be biased in Japan and Europe. We'll never know.

[titntin]

Japanese have very different tastes to Americans.

They have much smaller room sizes too, and for them, a console the size of a 360 where you have to find space for a power brick too and put up with really noisy operation is seriously prohibitive.
The size of the PS3 is also too large for them, but at least it doesn't have the power brick and noise issues.

Those reasons may seem daft to people from another cultural viewpoint with larger rooms, but trust me, they are the single biggest hurdle for adoption in Japan. All the most popular products in Japan are small perfectly formed pieces of electronics, and much as I like the 360 and what it does for me, it is bulky noisy and hot.

The controller is also an issue. I'm 6ft2" with pretty large hands, but using the 360 controllers for hours on end can leave me with hand cramp, and wife gets it much worse than I do. Japanese have smaller hands than we do, thats a racial trait you cant argue with. To a Japanese person, the 360 controller is far too big and bulky and uncomfortable. Remember how they released smaller controllers for the original xbox because of this very issue? I bought some as the smaller ones were far superior. Well they haven't done this for the 360, so the Japanese find using the console uncomfortable.

Add to this an initial line up which was 'shooter heavy', not a genre the Japs have traditionally responded too, and you have a slow uptake.

To Microsoft's credit, they have now fixed the software issue and there are plenty of games tailored to Jap tastes. But they've missed the boat. The PS3 has come into its own and is now offering a viable alternative with controllers better suited to the market, no large power brick and no noise and heat issues, and the Wii is everything the Japanese have always loved, small and compact and seriously quirky.

If MS ever want to capture the market in Japan they need to make a machine thats not bulky or loud and has controllers that can fit easily in small hands. It really is that simple - they've missed this gen, if they try again next gen they need to consider these basic facts.

[mistertwoturbo]

edonus what in the flying pig are you talking about?

You're really that mad because Japan doesn't see everything like you? Come on, Japan's culture is Japan's culture. Just because they don't see everything like westerner's do, you call that dishonor?

Just because they don't see Mass Effect or Halo as anything to write home about, all of a sudden their country is not honorable?

[titntin]

Whats your problem fella?

I've got news for you - consumers buy a machine for a variety of reasons, and what machine a consumer buys or doesn't buy, is not a political statement.
To you kids who stay up all night worrying about whether you support the right manufacturer of a bit of electronics, it might seem like a life or death decision. But to your average Jap consumer, they at look at games they want to play and the physical reality of the machine to decide if they want to buy it.

When are you going to learn? Games like Gears and Halo might be the hight of gaming for trigger happy US centric western consumption, but in general, such titles do not have any appeal in Japanese games culture! This is also an issue with slow PS3 adoption rate, theres not enough Japan based titles yet. Why do you keep holding Halo and Gears up like some shining beacon of gaming heaven? For a lot of people, another 'yahoo, shoot em in the head' fragfest is not where it is at in gaming, and these type of games will NEVER have any mass appeal in Japan. If you look at the figures you will see that Ace Combat 6 and Dynasty Warriors were good for 360 sales in a way that a shooter will never be.

The fact remains, if you are a Jap consumer the machine has a lot of negatives:
Its too big.
Its too noisy.
Its too hot.
The controller is too big.
Its unreliable.
It has a huge library of western dominated FPS games.
Support for the last machine was dropped far too quickly.
The marketing is all too brash - Japanese are self effacing, the kind of brash 'bashing' that comes out of MS marketing will have a negative impact in this territory.

The machine, and the overwhelming base of its software, are simply not suitable for the market, which is why people don't buy it there. If you people wish to believe its some form of innate racism, then should look to yourself as racists as it is racists who fail to understand that the needs of different cultures are different to their own.

[HelghastGeneral]

Its so simple to understand first playstation launched in 95 it sold a total of 19 million in japan to date. the sega saturn only had about 4 million sales and the nintendo 64 about 5 million sales so in the end sony beat both companies severely.

Then dreamcast launched and it only sold 2 million units in japan so how about saying why do japanese people hate dreamcast?

Then playstation 2 came out and sold 22 million units to this date in japan. Gamecube was only reached 4 million and xbox was terrible just 400 thousand units.

The sony brand with all its games took over for over ten years now the Japanese are slowly buying playstation 3. Why would they buy xbox when the first one did so bad they saw no sensible reason to get it and now they see no sensible reason to get 360 as well.

What scares microsoft and what needs to be brought to the attention of everyone else is that sony aims to have around the same sales with playstation 3 in japan that playsation and playstation 2 had.

So your talking around 20 million units and its going to happen eventually. ps3 has only been out for 1 year and 9 months and its slowly gaining as new games come out.

I am also very okay with the playstation 3's ten year lifespan because I myself still play ps2. When they made ps3 they definitely had longevity in mind the cell processor is so powerful that it can last for ten years.

Microsoft knows that ps3 has a long lifespan as well as it will have eventually a big install base in japan while 360 is dead. That is why they announced that they want to bring out a new console by 2010 and be first again. Making an announcement like that is like saying were going to lose so we need a new console to take the sales away from everyone else.

At least though their next console will be a true next gen system because 360 isn't it just makes games look good and can't do animation or effects.

[Kage-Proxy]

Who cares if Japan buys the 360 or not as long as they support the consoles with games...

[mirroredderorrim]

They don't like humongous, rectangular, white boxes.

They prefer Apple in the country for everything aside from OS (PC mainstay) over Microsoft. I speak only in terms of "if they had a choice between the two"

They like farfetched stuff, Microsoft does not come off as far fetched or innovative, but copy-cats (who isn't, though?)

Distaste should be off the charts because they will know now that Microsoft intends to directly copy the Wii, using the Mii alternative and motion sensing remote+ whatever else, that's just to highlight a few things

and finally... it's not Japanese.

[GameDev]

I said this in the other thread a few days ago

IT ABOSOLUTELY DRIVES MS AND THEIR FANBOYS CRAZY THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY TRY TO BUY BRAND LOYALTY THE JAPANESE DONT WANT THEIR CRAP CONSOLE.

logic used to dictate that to win the generation you had to win japan as well as the rest as europe. They know this and have been trying to downplay japan ever since. That won't change the fact that the PS3 is like Wladimir Klitschko and will drop the 360 with one punch before all is said and done.

[n00bzRtehgey]

Japan is nothing.

AmeriKa is the #1 entertainment territory on the planet, and we have chosen.

[Kage-Proxy]

Hmmm...was not too long when MS b1tchslapped Sony in Japan sales,
November 2007 actually.
This was due to Ace Combat 6 being released as exclusive to the 360!

Now we are looking at a good number of titles being released as exclusive to the 360 in Japan that are tailored to the Japanese market.
It will be a while to wait still for FFXIII and between now and then we have two major JRPG titles being released, Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery!

So, droids, the lesson is:
Don't ignore the console-selling strength of game titles!

[militant07]

they think what they make is best when its not

American/Euorp Cars BETTER

American/Europ Device better Ipod/XBOX360

American/Europ Mobile better NOKIA

American/Europ AirPlane better AIRBUS

American/Europ ...etc

japaness only make few things better but still they think them self best ( FUUCK THEM , WE ALL SAME )

1- TV

CPU and microchip thing ameican BETTER

they only piece of shiit

also they make FEW good games and genre
RPG and left SUCKS AS THERE EYES - . - those when its opend like O.O with us

[Kage-Proxy]

I dont understand a word you posted.
It must be me, not being able to read crap like that!

[Gun_Senshi]

i stopped reading at AMERICAN/eurpean cars are better.

omg hahahhahahha retard.

[kevanio09]

I've got it

introducing

HALO 4: Gravemind's Vengeance

It will have it all, turn based combat. Stereotypical characters who could be male or female. But the key selling point. The gravemind uses its tentacles to....yeah you know. Full HD graphics and cutscenes that last 30 minutes longer then they should. Oh and the master chief is now having second thoughts as to if he is doing the right thing. Plus he has a sword 10 foot long, that's also a gun and motorbike.

That would sell very well.

[RadientFlux]

don't forget for every serious storytelling moment (ie all life on earth has been wiped out) you must follow that scene with a cute funny moment (ie my cat is doing something really cute)

[mcm]

Japanese traditions stems from form and function. It is as simple as that.
The first XBOX was too big.
The joysticks were huge.
The fan sounded like a prop engine.
Both the Xbox and the 360 are unreliable.
The games were too western influenced.
Mortal Kombat sucks, Halo???

This sums it up.
Those answers came from Japanese gamers:
Murihato Koji
Horinji Sato
Fukomi Sashiko
Murimoto Uji

[Dolemite]

360 is a better gaming console. But its an inferior piece of hardware, and that is probably why. Also, they have BIG TIME loyalty to any piece of hardware made in Nippon. Cars, cameras, etc.

[PenisaurisDix]

You have to win Japan. This is a stoic truth and it's a huge problem for Microsoft.

[tobin_blade]

Basically Japan & Us fight over the European market all the time.. obviously the rivalry between jap & us is much deeper than just console related though!

Has there been much marketing for x360 in Japan? doubt it...

[villevalorox]

scroll down

http://icruise.wordpress.co...

[villevalorox]

from: http://icruise.wordpress.co...

The Xbox has, to put it mildly, not been a success in Japan. When it first came out, Japanese players complained that the system and controllers were big and unwieldy, and the types of games generally made for the Xbox tended to be things like first-person shooters, which are generally not very popular in Japan. Admittedly, the original Xbox has passed the apex of its popularity even in the US, but you know things are bad when only 10 Xboxes were sold in Japan last week. No, that’s not 10 in one particular store or city. Not 10 in one particular prefecture or region. 10 Xboxes for the entire country. By comparison, the Gamecube sold 120 times as many consoles, the the PS2 sold 2,500 times as many consoles, and the (admittedly still brand new) DS Lite sold more than 15,000 times as many consoles as the original Xbox.

I also know from personal experience how unpopular the Xbox was, because I’ve never translated a Japanese Xbox game — there just aren’t that many domestically made games for the system in Japan. I’ve translated lots of games for the PS2, a few for the DS, PSP and Gamecube, but none for the Xbox. It’s bit of a viscious circle, because without games made in Japan that appeal to Japanese tastes, people aren’t going to buy the system, and without a relatively large installed base, publishers aren’t going to make the games.

so if you don't like something the first time why would you lke it the 2nd time around?

[Ali_The_Brit]

the biggest and BEST franchises and genres come from the japanese.

i mean, we got the Playstation, 1 was revolutionary, ps2 best selling console to date, ps3 is the future

we have the NINTENDO WII, still outselling the ps3 and xbox360 so there console is winning the console war, not to mention the giant success of the DS

Game franchises, like MGS, one of the biggest and imho Best games of all time MGS4, not to mention it practicly gave birth, nay it DID give birth to the stealth genre

GT5, the most realistic driving experience franchise of all time, GT, jap dev

Sega..

finaly fantasy!?

need i go on i mean christ what would the gaming world be without the japanese, the japanese MADE gaming. simple

so when they hate the xbox360, i take note that the ones who created gaming say nay to the american console.

As always greedy americans tried to pig in on what was hot and make money, thats all M$ care about and its why i have 0 respect for them.

theres my two cents

[SuperSharpShooter]

While I agree that the technology used effected the RRP and therefore entered into being a risk factor I think it should be looked at in comparison with XBOX 360'S features in terms of comparison for price and value for money.

The Playstation 3 like the original Playstation and Playstation 2 has been said to have a ten year lifespan, this should be taken into account as its widely known that this seems to surpass microsofts policy for releasing new hardware.

Before I get into Hardware costs I would like to talk about online service....

Sony's policy for online play is to make it free for all users of there hardware with no restrictions... for the same service from Microsofts XBOX360 hardware you will be paying £39.99 per annual 12 months.

If we assume Microsofts Xbox360 system does have a 10 year life cycle like the Playstation 3 then this would account for a bill of £399.90 for the same service offered by Sony for free.

Hardware.
Lets compare hardware now. While a premium XBOX360 with a 120GB HDD costs £259.99 right now it does lack a few features from Sony's machine. Most notably Blu-Ray and built in wifi receiver.

While there is not an option for Blu-Ray on the 360, there option for a wifi signal receiver will cost you £59.99.

While we talk about accesories it should also be noted that Sonys machine is compatible with any Bluetooth headset for online chat to enjoy the full online experience while a wireless XBOX360 headset will cost you £34.99 a Blueetooth wireless headset to use with the PS3 CAN BE BOUGHT FOR AS LITTLE AS £5!. A PS3 eye camera will cost £24.99 while a 360 vision live camera will cost £34.99.

The 360 also lacks in some features... and while these features are more added bonuses it does show that little bit of extra value you get from the purchase of a PS3... notably, Remote Play giving you the ability to play a selection of games wirelessly over the internet from your PS3 and also the ability to transfer movies you have bought on the store to view on the go.

While the only plus for the 360's premium console seems to be the extra HDD capacity, unlike the PS3, the 360 isnt compatible with 2.5' SATA HDD's and is only compatible with 360 branded HDD's.

In conclusion this is what the consoles will cost you for there full service...

XBOX 360 - ELITE CONSOLE = £259.99
XBOX 360 - WIRELESS RECEIVER = £59.99
XBOX 360 - WIRELESS CONTROLLER = £32.99
XBOX 360 - WIRELESS HEADSET - £34.99
XBOX 360 - LIVE VISION CAMERA = £34.99
XBOX LIVE GOLD 10 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION = £399.90

total = £822.85

PS3 40GB CONSOLE = £299.99
PS3 WIRELESS RECEIVER = FREE
PS3 DUALSHOCK 3 CONTROLLER = £39.99
PS3 HEADSET = £5 UPWARDS
PS3 PS EYE CAMERA = £24.99
ONLINE SERVICE FOR LIFE = FREE

total = £369.97

A difference of £452.88!!!!

Incredible how much consumers are spending on what has to be called last generation technology and most of the time wrongly called the cheaper option.

I also must say that you comparing the PS3 to the Wii is a joke as they are completley different entities. Its almost as ludicrous as comparing Disney Land to Thorpe Park... to the mis-informed they are the same experience untill your short joy uncovers and you realise its pissing it down at thorpe park and not having much of the promised fun advertised in a scaled down mockery of a theme park.

live :supasharpshoter
PSN :supasharpshooter

[ReBurn]

tl;dr

Also off-topic.

[ForROME]

Money doesnt penetrate all cultures to win, MS, Japan is over for you, cry , and let it go.

[SuperNova1995]

maybe they don't want a xbox 360?

[rareairtone]

The guy might b joking but I know he somewhat believes in what he says. yea there are problems with the xbox 360 but there barely were on the xbox; we still didn't really see a steady growth in acceptance towards the end of the xbox's cycle in Japan. The Japanese video game "society" as a whole disrespects or doesn't care about America, as long as we are buying their games and systems. To me this is an unfair relationship; who said we have to be the only ones to indulge ourselves in their products and they almost completely ignore ours? The guy has a good point when he starts mentioning the good games that they tend to like are starting to come to the system. It seems like they are willing to pass up these experiences just because they're on an American designed system.

[Lumbo]

Yes, it must be their hate for American products, thats why they do not buy the perfect great stunning experience known as "Zune" but some shoddy jap brand named iPod ... oh wait ...

[TheKungFool]

The Japanese value quality, innovation, and loyalty in their businesses.
They also place a high value on reliability.
That is why people even in America are buying Hondas and Toyotas instead of Chevys and Fords.

Why would you expect the Japanese market, who strives for quality and innovation, to appreciate a machine that fails at a 40% clip and uses outdated disc formats and features? (especially if that inferior product comes from abroad)

[KRUSSIDULL]

Japan simply hates United States so does most of the europe aswell.

[borgome]

It's pretty obvious why the japanese don't buy the 360. It's as simple as this; They know it come's from the USA. They are smart that way, they only support products manufactured in their own country. It's the same reason why here in Canada where I live, or even in the USA, you only see Asian people driving Honda's or Toyota's, thats it!

[ReBurn]

The word to go along with your definition is Xenophobic, not smart. And the thing about Japanese cars is just wrong.

[Lumbo]

Neither is the Xbox360 made in America, nor the PS3 made in Japan. Both are made in China ...

[borgome]

The point is they know where the profits end up, America. That's why they don't buy the 360. It's a FACT that everytime time I drive beside a Honda or a Toyota its an Asian 95% of the time.

[EvilxM]

Japanese like top-quality electronics, however...

I couldn't continue reading that. Hate to say it, but that blog seemed...well, I'm not saying racist, but when I saw the picture of Master Chief with anime eyes, that...killed it for me. He seems like a total twat.

[Lygre]

The 360 and games for it doesn't sell well in Japan because the console is american. If the Xbox 360 was made by a japanese company the console would sell like crazy since it has lots of great games.

Europe and North America on the other hand buys stuff that comes from other countries. We don't mind hardware from the far east, but I guess they disslike the west, and so they don't buy stuff that we make.

Sad, really.

Oh. And I think that that Japan is a very traditional country. Just look at their role playing games. They haven't evolved much in over 10 years. That says alot.

[Lumbo]

Ipod, CocaCola, MCD, Nike

seems your reasoning just went down the drain as all these AMERICAN products do extremely well in Japan. IPod, an US brand sell WAY better than Sony's mp3-walkman

[jmcorp]

this site is riddled with Sony fanboys...

[Wii60Fan]

Ya think?

[ReBurn]

It's so funny how a joke article brings out the SRS BIZ fanboys. People need to learn to relax and not take this stuff so seriously. I thought video games were all fun and games. I guess I was wrong.

[Finch]

They are just loyal to there own, for better or worst!

[SSCOOLCHEA]

I know what you mean man .Some people buy the inferior product because of the price and than wants to complain about it not working after 1 year. I see that all the time working in the service department . There favorite saying when shi.. gets broke is I only bought that one because it was cheaper .

[djroberts]

A lot of Japanese suffer from 3D motion sickness. A lot of FPS games cause this. There's a pride thing going on too. Just like many Americans swear on 360 simply because it's American, the Japanese do the same with the PS3/Wii.

[absolutecarnage]

Wow you sony fans are just too much, do something better with your time than complaining about the xbox360. Yes I did get the rrod on my first xbox, but at least Microsoft manned up and fixed it for free. They realized the mistake and at least did something about it. Even when it did go rrod i went outside and did other things, i could care less that i couldn't play. I guess why Sony Fan boys are pimpled ass clowns that wouldn't know what the sun looked like unless they saw it their gaming system lol. I can totally see it right angryxbot. Yeah you know i'm right. Get a life

[FFXI101]

I ask my Japanese friends why did they buy the 360 when it came out. They said, because it's cheaper and it came out one year before Wii and PS3. It wasn't because of the game on 360 or because that's something they have to have.

Now after years out on the market, I'm sure less people(In Japan) want to buy it. Because of it's hardware problem and PS3 is more affordable now.

It's good that M$ trying and working on bring the RPG games to the system, however, like StarOcean and Tales series were both really popular on PS2, most fans have been fan of Playstation too. I don't see they'll just going to a store and buy the system for these games(they are good RPG games, but not the game that'll help to sale the system like MGS4 did)

I talk to local Gamestop, Gamecrazy, and PlayNTrade. They told me most people(who own 360) are looking forward to the games like Gears 2, Fallout 3, Madden, Too Human, or Star Wars. There're only very few people asking about these Japanese style RPG.(No one preorder these RPG at my local GameCrazy and PlayNTrade, Only Gamestop got few, I mean less than 3ppl)

So, there's no need to say Japanese gamers hate 360 or western games. Cause we all have different gaming culture and the game we perfer(NA gamers likes shooter, Football. EU gamers like racing, soccer, shooter, and Japanese gamers like RPG, racing, and other type of game.)

[Allowen]

It is not about if they like or not the xbox360 but it is about giving mony to a japonese company instead some other else were in the world.In the end Ps3 is not much more powerfull.....so you see they really preffer give prefference to japonese products(they always been know for its quality).So why change now,uh??

[Lumbo]

As stated many times before, please explain the success of the Ipod (american) McD (american) Nike (american) and many more non japanese brands in Japan ...

If there was ANY truth to your statement all these brands could never succede, but they do, cause they don't try to stuff their taste down the throats of customers with different preferences. "There, now take this copy of HALO3 and don't you DARE not to love it" -- "but i don't like FPS!" -- "SHUT UP, I AM MS, YOU LIKE WHAT I TELL YOU TO LIKE"

Sorry, but thats not how business works. And thats the reason why MS tries to buy up jrpg like crazy, but its already to late, they should have done that at launch, not way late into the game where people already expect them to drop xbox360 support in the next two years for the xbox4.

[Robulos]

That was a really funny article!

[Gun_Senshi]

To all that say Japanese hate American Products

*points at iPod and Apple*

[deividpaulo]

noboby likes the 360 style...

[Yoichi_Wada]

The answer is simple
We japanese know what to buy, unlike the xbots, Who would want the Sh*tbox 360, it is extremly cheaply and extremly poorly built:
1. The appearance is not all that good
2. scratches games(when i was trying out the Final Fantasy beta game that i developed it was fiercly scratched
3. Most famouse RED RING OF DEATH
4. Pay for online and you get something bullsh*t
5. Dual layer antique
6. Too limited ( i have to find a way to get ff13 not to be on 17 disks
and a lot more

Square Enix Company, Limited
株式会社スクウェア･エニックス

[Roukuko]

i go to yoichi wada for all my xbox news he tells the truth

[HondaSIRowner]

thats why!

[Wraith001]

The Japs are loyal, gotta hand it to em. Not like they love the yanks either is it? Lots of history, plus ya gotta remember the Japs have led in technology for a long time, robotics, cars, TVs ect. Don't think they like the idea of thick Yanks building a better/equal product than there own.

[AstroZombie1]

The TV was invented by a Scotsman, the Internet by a bunch of different people the same with the PC, and finally videogames.

Yea "those Americans who don't know anything" sure rings true.

Tip:

Have some knowledge or at the very least research before you go on a the U.S.A is the best rant.

[wind_dragon]

Being an avid studier of Japanese language and culture, i can give you a real honest answer.
1) Western electronics suck...HARD(compared to theirs anyway)! iPhone3G? who needs it!?
2) Games are way too violent. Japanese are weird about this; they prefer that there be a dignified reason to kill anyone even if its *Just a game*.
3)I totally read a sign in The Super Potato Electronics store that said *Western Dog Sh*t" over the 360 section....so Poor marketing? *I gotta find that pic.*
4) They stick with what they know. As do many ppl tend to do all around the world.

[Bordel_1900]

Bad X360 sales in Japan have nothing to do with the X360 being American. That's guaranteed. A lot of American products are top sellers in Japan.

BTW. PS3 isn't doing to good in Japan either. Wii and DS are wiping the floor with the competition in Japan.

[Wii60Fan]

Loss is our gain. Publishers will still make games for the 360 from Japan because they know there is a market for that here in the states. So really, its their loss.

[DFresh]

Japan doesn't like the Xbox for several reasons.
1.) They don't like American electronic products.
2.) They already have the best so they don't want to go back. ex.) Sony = PS3 & Nintendo = Wii
3.) Japan developers make games and accessories that suit them better w/ Sony and Nintendo.
4.) Microsoft doesn't advertise in Japan so how can you expect them to buy your products if they've never seen your product before or they don't know what your selling.
It doesn't matter what Microsoft does in the end Japan like Japanese Products only.

[Spydiggity]

if everyone agrees this article is dumb, why is it the number one article?

[ChickeyCantor]

the X, thats something negative in japanese right? where a circle is something positive.

DURRR

But, i remember that it had something to do with the name.

[THE_MACC]

it's because you can't get games on the xbox that are about, feeling up girls on a train. sniffing panties, taking pictures of unsuspecting girls, and more.

that is why japan isn't interested.