Xbox 360 Coming November 22

By Ed Oswald | Published September 15, 2005, 10:55 AM

Microsoft has solidified a launch date for the Xbox 360, announcing the system would hit store shelves on November 22 across North America, December 2 in Europe, and December 10 in Japan.

The company said that this would be the first time a game console would be launched in three territories within a similar time frame.

Details of the launch date were announced on the eve of the Tokyo Game Show 2005, Japan's yearly gaming expo.

Manufacturing for the system has already begun, and units have begun to be produced in three production facilities in Osaka, Japan; Oxford, England; and Orlando, Florida.

More than 40 game publishers in Japan have already pledged support for the platform, as well as more across the globe. Microsoft says the Xbox 360 will provide a gaming experience unmatched by its competitors.

"This holiday season, gamers in Japan, Europe and North America pining to experience jaw-dropping high-definition graphics, unmatched online play and compelling digital entertainment features of Xbox 360 will finally have the chance," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft.

Japanese pricing for the new console was also announced. The base system will cost games 37,900 yen, or about $343 USD, compared to the $299 USD price tag within the United States. The Japanese package will include the unit, a wireless controller, a remote control, a headset, and component and Ethernet cables.

Comments

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another console for me to hack and upload screen shots of microsoft like i did with xbox 1. lol.

but i must admit it looks like a good seller. i already won one at work. all i have to do is now wait to get it. then i will make my comments on it.

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It may make it in limited quantities, in the US for this date, I doubt it's going to be in the UK, EU or Japan this side of 2006, despite MS promises.

We have already seen loads of features dropped. The latest is, that the XB360 dashboard will not be ready for launch, nor will many of the premier launch titles, I would also be unsuprised, if only the core system was available on this date,

All in all, it's looking more and more like a lacklustre launch.

Add the fact that Sony will drop the PS2 price to a rock bottom $49 (£69), to steal MS thunder, and the PSP selling in bucketload quantities, who needs a XBox360? I'm happy to wait for the PS3..

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So much for world-wide release. Blizzard needs to release a console. :P

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this comes down to two things... graphics and games...sure microsoft could come out first and sure the graphics could be good but the games if they are terrible its not going to be worth it same with sony (sony though is allowing their system to be able to play ps1 ps2 and ps3 whereas the xbox will only have the greatest hits) which I feel puts sony at a bigger advantage because sure the system costs more but you can continue to play your old games with it and if the games and graphics are worth it it ll justify the price and the technology but whereas if it does not then xbox will be the winner as both systems have their strengths and weaknesses but look at it this way xbox has better graphics now then ps2 but more people own ps2 because the games are better and more plentiful

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There's a third -- "thing" -- and kinda goes along with your second one. If MS comes out with a console 6 months ahead of Sony, guess who'll have a 6 month head start on games? XBOX 360 will also play the original XBox games and granted, that's just two consoles while Sony is on their third, but with a PS3 how many people will REGULARLY play original PS games? Not many...

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Honestly though, how often do you play ps1 games on your ps2? Likewise for this release.. While it will be nice, it's like playing Doom when you could be playing Doom 3 - the look and feel will be night and day.

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Blu-Ray, HD, no HD, dial-up, no dial-up....I will buy both systems, so who cares!

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hahahaha. I wish I had that kind of money.

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As far as XBox 360 vs. PS3 goes: MS has the advantage in the beginning, coming out 6 months or so ahead of Sony's, but that can only mean Sony will likely have superior hardware. I am interested to see what will happen...

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They are both going to be awesome. First to market usually has the advantage though. I might just buy both.

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one word, BLUERAY...

the one and main reason I'm not buying the PS3

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Your not buying PS3 because of BlueRay? If anything isn't that one of it's selling points? Last question do you have Down Syndrome?

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One of the biggest downfalls of the PS2 vs X-Box currently is that the PS2 doesn't have a built-in HDD, which means memory cards. Memory cards suck ass. Ontop of that, online play on the PS2 blows because of dialup users, where as those are very very limited on X-Box Live. Which will be the same case here. the 360 will be far superior than the PS3 in anyway, shape, and form imo. Microsoft has the money to back it, if there becomes a threatening developing studio that won't release content for X-Box360, then they will just buy the studio. It's happened before.

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Hate to break it to you, but as a format, Blu-Ray Sucks... It may have a higher capatity than HD-DVD, but it has no compatiblity with standard DVD players (unlike HD-DVD which WILL play in a standard DVD Player). Those combined with cost makes it more viable IMO. I strongly dislike Sony and their formats (Look at ATRAC3 which they ONLY just gave up on trying to push on consumers). I personally won't get a PS3 because I don't really like sony or their marketing practices.

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what's wrong with memory cards? are you supposed to carry the entire system around you when you travel? pop the disc in or a friends (less to carry) and the memory card and ya set. Wasn't this the selling point for them? seems to me you need both options, but well you tell me.

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then no ps3 sonic for you ^^ hehe the mecha in there are looking nice well for sonic, much closer to the comics (personality if not style) meh here i am a sega fan stuck in a non sega world

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never helped sega and don't buy any console early, look at first gen ps2's they over heat quicker than newer ones, glad i got a newer one mm. not to mention the price will drop

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I'm not a Sonic fan since it left the side scrolling genre :) Give me Sonic and Knuckles any day!

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It has been speculated that the blu-ray dvd drive will NOT be standard in PS3. It is believed that it will add $100 dollars to the price tag.

http://www.1up.com

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was one of the most funniest games I have ever played. It's definately my favorite game for the Sega Genesis.

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