Advertisement

Register for free to remove this ad

Given the popularity of the DS Lite in Japan (and it's sold out status), it isn't suprising that Japanese retailers are offering decent trade-in prices for those willing to part with their new-model DS. But, would you believe that the DS Lite's trade-in value has eclipsed its original MSRP and is more valuable than a used Xbox 360?

The Enterking chain of video/game stores is offering 18,000¥ ($153 US) for a used DS Lite, which is about $10 more than it's 16,800¥ MSRP.

Even more interesting is that an Xbox 360 console trade-in will only fetch 15,000¥ ($128), which matches the trade-in worth of a PSP Value Pack and a slim-line Silver PS2. The older model DS are still somewhat difficult to find in Japan and will score you 14,000¥ ($119) at Enterking.



As a person who visits quite a lot of used video game stores in the Tokyo area, I can't say that I am suprised. The Xbox 360 sections are always well stocked with used consoles and games. Even titles like Dead or Alive 4 and Ridge Racer 6, which were supposed to be big hits with Japanese gamers, are in ample supply can be picked up used at a bargain price (under $30, usually).

As much as I'd like to see the Xbox 360 succeed in Japan, I won't shed too many tears, just as long I can continue to score used 360 game deals like King Kong for $17 and Need for Speed for $25. Even the import 360 games aren't holding their value.

>

i almost feel bad for microsoft.... almost

Interesting. Do you see any DS systems with American packaging being sold because they are still at a high demand?

Microsoft should fire their Market and public relationship for Japan and rehire employees who are well knowledgable about the culture and society.

So what is the MSRP over there for the xbox 360. I wouldn't mind getting a 360 for $150 though, it's tough enough forkin' out $400 for a premium package over here. Can't pass it up though, gotta play Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. But iff they're only fetching about $150 in tradde-in I'm assuming the MSRP must be around 250-300.

Originally Posted by fatbeer Microsoft should fire their Market and public relationship for Japan and rehire employees who are well knowledgable about the culture and society.

They "relocated" him.

Oh, man. The Xbox 360 must suck, then.

I never really saw the 360 as that good of a system. It seemed more like a 'slim PS2' version of the Xbox. Single player gaming doesn't seem to be it's focus, they want an online/multiplayer community for this thing.

Why does Microsoft even bother selling the 360 in Japan? It hardly seems worth it for them. They should have just focused on North America and Europe and said to hell with Japan, especially after the first Xbox did so poorly there.

Originally Posted by redline Why does Microsoft even bother selling the 360 in Japan? It hardly seems worth it for them. They should have just focused on North America and Europe and said to hell with Japan, especially after the first Xbox did so poorly there.

Seriously. Or they could have at least made it completely region free so people like me and Cheapy who are in Japan with access to MOUNTAINS of 360's could have made some cash selling 'em on eBay last fall!

Originally Posted by m_que01 So what is the MSRP over there for the xbox 360.

about $325 or so.

Originally Posted by Gameboy415 Seriously. Or they could have at least made it completely region free so people like me and Cheapy who are in Japan with access to MOUNTAINS of 360's could have made some cash selling 'em on eBay last fall!

Ha... I LOL'd at that one.

They should remove all XBOX 360's from Japan. Next they should create some RPG's and other games that appeal to Japanese gamers. Build up a frenzy when they can't get the console and then re-release the system. Doubt that will happen though.

It doesn't help that most Japanese gamers don't like FPS games which is a big portion of the XBOX 360's lineup. I never owned an XBOX and paying for the online service doesn't really entice me either. I still see the XBOX and the XBOX 360 as ho-hum.

The shipping from Japan to the US would probably kill any chance of me wanting to import a 360...
...I wonder how much it would be. Or maybe I can go to eBay and find out!

Interesting. But I did notice from the pictures that while they are only paying 15,000¥ for the 360, they are charging 32,800¥ - a pretty hefty markup. However, looking at the DS, yeah they are paying 18,000¥ for a used model, they are only making a profit of 1800¥ on it (which is what ~$14?).

All this tells me is that the DS is in such demand, that they are willing to make almost no money on it just to get people into their store. The 360 on the other hand has your standard 100% markup on used goods (it must be Gamestop of Japan )

I'd love to say that Microsoft is not as ignorant as they seem with the XBOX 360 in Japan but sadly it's true. It might be indeed the worst Idea by Microsoft ever.

Yes EVER, Microsoft knew from the Jump that the xbox 360 would not be a huge success out in Japan...needless to say that I was telling all my friends...people on the way even in the subway out in NYC...that Microsoft needs to focus on where people will actually support the console. What good is a huge market when they will refuse to support your product? I never understood the stubborness...I bet Cheapy D can go to almost any store in Tokyo and he wont have any problem finding a used XBOX (Original X-BOX) no problem...cheap as hell...including a couple of games. It's the dumbest move by a major company I have ever seen...all those manufactured systems are eventually going to waste.

What Microsoft SHOULD have done was release the xbox 360 in extremely limited quantities AFTER HALO 3 and the Sequel to Ninja Gaiden is released. Instead Microsoft was worried about Sony gaining a lead after the PS3 came out...the PS3 will outgain whatever the xbox 360 sold in Japan for 1+ year in about 2 weeks...maybe less. Nintendo will follow suit and crush the XBOX 360 with the revolution not too long after.

Microsoft deserves a big F for this. I almost feel so dissapointed that I should boycott Microsoft and all their actions for shipping consoles out there while people here in the United States were giving $800 hard earned dollars for the console alone or being forced to buy asinine bundles that those s at gamestop made everyone get.

Originally Posted by rebthor The 360 on the other hand has your standard 100% markup on used goods (it must be Gamestop of Japan )

Did you see all those stickers on the used 360 box? It IS Gamestop of Japan! lol

Are you guys collectively so stupid as to blame Microsoft for this failure? Try blaming the Japanese people who have expressed no interest in it. Guess what, not everything sells everywhere....Laserdiscs never really took off in the United States, Video CD's never even were a blip on our radar......

Is it Feverish Nationalism at work? "We think the 360 is lousy because its not made by Sony", or perhaps is it because there are no games starring Super-Deformed Hot Dogs with cute smiles battling ancient feudal Japanese warriors on the bullet-train??? Could be...

I'm guessing its a little of both. Add to this that online multiplayer gaming is a huge boom in the United States, but really not as big a deal in Japan.

Think about it.....most of us live in the 'burbs...our nation is huge, spread out over a gajilion square miles. Our homes are palatial compared to other countries, 2000-4000 square feet of home living goodness. Alot of us in the states can't even walk to a store in any kind of timely fashion.

Japan's populace is mostly centered in the large super cities....they have small, tiny homes or apartments. When they want to kick back, they want to go OUT.....they live in areas that cater to the fact tha tthey dont want to lounge around the 100 square foot pad when they aren't working. Multiplayer gaming for them means going out to an arcade or internet bar or whatever. The portable systems rule Japan because the Japanese are always on the move.

So LIVE isn't a huge selling point.....not nearly the big deal it is over here....

Either way, Japan was never the primary target for this system..the core launch of games proves this. Microsoft was banking on the Japanese love of tech gadgets to sell systems, but clearly thats not the case.

Anyone who's shitting on the 360 either can't afford to own one, or is suffering from sort of strange PS3/Nintendo bias. The system is quite good, not perfect, not without flaws, but a worthy sucessor to the Xbox. The system isn't a half year old yet and already its got games that are keepers. People who are bashing it are putting up some really lame arguements. The hardware does what its supposed to, HD gaming with pretty graphics. Whats to complain about?

The japanese aren't buying it so it must be crap? Oh brother.....

As annoying as the DS Lite shortage has been, at least it's a good sign of the success of the DS.

The trade in price is unreal, though.

It is correct that Japan was never the primary target for the system. However, I dont see a problem with blaming Microsoft for choosing to introduce a product where there is no market for its games, when there are starving markets elsewhere.

Putting up lame arguments against bashing the xbox? There is only one legitimate argument/complaint. Games. This of course is an opinion. The Japanese clearly dont like their games. They're not wrong. Americans clearly like the games. They're not wrong. Its an opinion.

The systems clearly have different trends as far as genres. Shitting on the box because of its games is an extremely legitimate reason.

Originally Posted by HeadRusch Are you guys collectively so stupid as to blame Microsoft for this failure? Try blaming the Japanese people who have expressed no interest in it. Guess what, not everything sells everywhere....Laserdiscs never really took off in the United States, Video CD's never even were a blip on our radar...... Is it Feverish Nationalism at work? "We think the 360 is lousy because its not made by Sony", or perhaps is it because there are no games starring Super-Deformed Hot Dogs with cute smiles battling ancient feudal Japanese warriors on the bullet-train??? Could be... I'm guessing its a little of both. Add to this that online multiplayer gaming is a huge boom in the United States, but really not as big a deal in Japan. Think about it.....most of us live in the 'burbs...our nation is huge, spread out over a gajilion square miles. Our homes are palatial compared to other countries, 2000-4000 square feet of home living goodness. Alot of us in the states can't even walk to a store in any kind of timely fashion. Japan's populace is mostly centered in the large super cities....they have small, tiny homes or apartments. When they want to kick back, they want to go OUT.....they live in areas that cater to the fact tha tthey dont want to lounge around the 100 square foot pad when they aren't working. Multiplayer gaming for them means going out to an arcade or internet bar or whatever. The portable systems rule Japan because the Japanese are always on the move. So LIVE isn't a huge selling point.....not nearly the big deal it is over here.... Either way, Japan was never the primary target for this system..the core launch of games proves this. Microsoft was banking on the Japanese love of tech gadgets to sell systems, but clearly thats not the case. Anyone who's shitting on the 360 either can't afford to own one, or is suffering from sort of strange PS3/Nintendo bias. The system is quite good, not perfect, not without flaws, but a worthy sucessor to the Xbox. The system isn't a half year old yet and already its got games that are keepers. People who are bashing it are putting up some really lame arguements. The hardware does what its supposed to, HD gaming with pretty graphics. Whats to complain about? The japanese aren't buying it so it must be crap? Oh brother.....

Microsoft should have launched the 360 in Japan in December 08 or something...