Microsoft has ended months of speculation by announcing the release dates for its XBox 360 console at the Tokyo Game Show. In an announcement at the Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft said that X360 will hit store shelves in North America on November 22, in Europe on December 2 and in Japan on December 10.
The dates do not really come as a surprise to most of the industry as it was understood that the company wanted to take advantage of the holiday shopping rush that surrounds Thanksgiving in the US. The choice of dates also allows Microsoft some flexibility as it can utilize the Christmas holiday in order to further enhance sales. Last month, Microsoft said the Xbox 360 will be available in two flavors: a base model for USD 299 and a GT model which will include a 20GB hard drive and wireless controllers for USD 399.
Microsoft is expected to have a total of 25-40 titles ready for XBox 360 by the end of the year.
Microsoft will be starting the next-generation console wars with a slight advantage as its console will be launching a few months ahead of rival Sony's PS3. The company will need that advantage as it will be trying to overcome Sony's current generation lead which saw 75.6 million PS 2 consoles sold, compared with Microsoft's 19.8 million Xbox units.
The latest industry estimates suggest that Microsoft may succeed in its efforts to outsell Sony but that the victory will not be long-lasting. Initial sales in the first year of availability, it is estimated, will see Xbox 360 selling 12.3 million units worldwide, with Sony moving just 3.9 million PlayStation 3 consoles and Nintendo just 2.7 million Revolutions. By 2009 however, Sony will have installed its PS3 console as the worldwide favorite surpassing Microsoft's XBox 360 in sales. These estimates are mostly based on the assumption that Sony's PS3 is a more powerful and therefore future-proof console than X360.
Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers may purchase an Xbox 360 system, with a 20GB detachable Hard Drive, a Wireless Controller, a Media Remote control, a Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY (USD 343.50).
