Microsoft has had its ups and down with the Xbox in Japan. For the first time the Xbox has been selling better than the PS3. The trend started in August and Microsoft wants to keep the sales in Japan going strong. Traditionally it has been very difficult for an American game console to take hold in Japan and the Xbox 360 has so far continues to prove this correct.
To continue to grow its marktshare Microsoft is lowering the price in Japan on its different 360 models. The Xbox 360 Arcade is getting a price cut of $73.92 down to $182.72 or 19,800 yen, the Nikkei said. The Xbox 360 Arcade is the lowest model which lacks a hard drive but comes with games and a memory card.
"The new price will make that model cheaper than Nintendo’s Wii, which sells for about 25,000 yen, and the PlayStation 3, which sells for 39,800 yen."
Microsoft will also lower the higher end model with a hard drive by $46.14-73.83 or 5,000 to 8,000 yen.
"The company is scheduled to hold a briefing on the Xbox 360 in the Japanese market at 3:00 p.m. (2:00 a.m. EDT) on Monday."
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