The latest data from Japan suggests Xbox is finding it increasingly difficult to make a mark in Japan, with around 4,000 consoles sold, compared to approximately 25,000 for the Gamecube and over 100,000 for PS2 in the past week.

The total number of consoles sold in Japan currently looks like 4.05m for PS2, 1.29m for Gamecube, and 0.19m for Xbox, with figures looking laughable. Bear in mind that most PS2s are bought for their DVD playing functions and that's why the figures are sky high. If the figures for Panasonic's Q system were included with those for the GameCube, expect numbers more similar to the PS2's.


Xbox currently costs a hefty �184 in Japan, with PS2 priced at a wallet-friendly �157 and Gamecube even more tempting at �132. Microsoft are expected to slash the price of their cumbersome Xbox in Japan in hope to increase sales.

IMPRESSIONS:

MIKE: As true Nintendo-devotee I must say that I hoped that the Xbox would fall flat on its face in Japan. But even in my wildest dreams I could not have expected such a terrible launch. The Xbox had a weak Japanese line-up with highly anticipated NezMix failing to excite and SEGA's awesome Jet Set Radio Future performing worse than expected. Even more alarmingly was the fact that western-orientated Halo was not launched with the system - Japanese gamers are not known for their enthusiasm to the action-genre but this could have been the killer-app that violence-hungry Japanese youths were yearning for. Why launch in Shibuya instead of Akihabara? Why no Dragon Quest title at launch? Japanese gamers are a different breed to us westerners. Microsoft need to understand them before whitewashing them with usual American-flavoured titles.

CONOR: It's no surprise really that Xbox is doing so badly in Japan. The console was primarily made to do well in US, with traditional beat-em-ups, shooters , driving games and sports games. Why can't Microsoft get it through their thickheads that the Japanese demand more than that; original, quirky and fun games. But even I didn't expect these dire figures. As a guy with a lot of respect for the gaming industry I'll just like to offer my condolences to Microsoft for their poor state by saying "He-he, you deserved as much".