Gamers in the US and Europe who are frustrated by supply shortages of Microsoft's Xbox 360 may do better in Japan, according to newly published sales estimates.
A study by Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu revealed today that fewer than half of the estimated 159,000 Xbox 360 consoles in Japanese stores sold in the first weekend.
Famitsu estimated that just 62,000 Xbox 360s were purchased on 10 and 11 December. The poor performance of the console has been blamed on the postponing of the Dead or Alive 4 game.
Not surprisingly Japan is the biggest market for console games, and is dominated by Sony and Nintendo which are releasing new consoles next year.
When the original Xbox went on sale in February 2002, Microsoft sold 123,000 in the first three days of sales in Japan. According to Reuters, Microsoft has been struggling to gain ground in the country against local rivals.
The Xbox 360 has the advantage of being the only next-generation console available for the next few months, however, while Sony and Nintendo prepare to launch their PlayStation 3 and Revolution consoles next year.
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