Xbox 360 Launch Dates Announced

[Next-Gen]

Xbox360

Xbox 360 Launch Dates Announced

Source

Fueling global anticipation for the arrival of its powerful new video game and entertainment system, Microsoft announced today that Xbox 360 will arrive on store shelves Tuesday, November 22 in North America, Friday, December 2 in Europe, and Saturday, December 10 in Japan.   The announcement, made on the eve of Tokyo Game Show 2005, marked the first time that a game console will be launched in three territories in the same time frame.   In preparation for what is expected to be massive worldwide demand for the new system, Microsoft also announced that Xbox 360 manufacturing is under way, with state-of-the-art facilities producing millions of units ultimately bound for frenzied gamers' homes from Osaka, Japan, to Oxford, England, and Orlando, Fla.   "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. "Renowned development studios around the world are busy putting the finishing touches on their Xbox 360 games. We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region, and with more than 200 games currently in development, continuous new additions to the library are on the way." Bach and other Microsoft executives, headlining a series of events that open Tokyo Game Show, will detail the company's strategy for success in Japan. More than 40 publishers in Japan, including Bandai Co. Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd., Koei Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., Namco Ltd., Sega Corp., Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., have pledged their support for Xbox 360, joining the ranks of the best publishers from around the world. As the ultimate canvas for game developers, Xbox 360 will inspire a new wave of innovation in gameplay, storytelling and artistry never before seen in video games.   Promising to capture the imagination of Japanese gamers, new titles and established franchises such as Dead or Alive 4, Ridge Racer 6, NINETY-NINE NIGHTS, Dead Rising, and FINAL FANTASY XI will be available on Xbox 360 in the months to come. With support for high-definition output with anti-aliasing, and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, all Xbox 360 games will deliver smooth, cinematic experiences that scream off the screen.   In addition to the impressive lineup of titles both in Japan and around the world, you'll soon be able to enjoy the next generation of the Xbox Live service, the Emmy-award-winning online games and entertainment network. With Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service, you can play online in a community of millions, connect with friends using voice and video chat, download new content, build online profiles and experience new modes of entertainment. Xbox 360 is also the ultimate amplifier for music, movies and photos stored on an array of devices including MP3 players, digital cameras and Microsoft Windows XP-based PCs. The console makes it easy for you to enjoy all their digital content in the living room, on the best TV and speakers in the house.   Tokyo Game Show marks the first time that consumers will be able to experience the power of Xbox 360 firsthand. A number of key titles will be on display at the Xbox 360 booth: (eM)-eNCHANT-arM (FromSoftware Inc.) Bomberman — Act Zero (Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.) Call of Duty 2 (Activision Inc.) CHROMEHOUNDS (Sega) Dead Rising (Capcom) Dynasty Warriors 5 Special (Koei Co. Ltd.) Everyparty (Microsoft Game Studios) Far East of Eden — Ziria (Hudson Soft) FINAL FANTASY XI (Square Enix Co. Ltd.) Frame City Killer (Namco) Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios) Kameo: Elements of Power™ (Microsoft Game Studios) Mobile Suit Gundam (working title) (Bandai Co. Ltd.) Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts) NINETY-NINE NIGHTS (Microsoft Game Studios) The Outfit (THQ) Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios) Resident Evil 5 (Capcom) Ridge Racer 6 (Namco) Rumble Roses XX (working title) (Konami) Shutoku Battle (working title) (Genki Co. Ltd.) Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega) Saint's Row (THQ) Test Drive Unlimited (Atari Inc.) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft Entertainment) World Air Force (tentative title) (Taito Corp.) Wrestle Kingdom (Yuke's Co. Ltd.) Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers looking for the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride and best value right out of the box may purchase an Xbox 360 system, which comes fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY.*

Edited September 15, 2005 by Next-Gen

[DaRotor]

It's good to see that the entire world can be divided up into three minor land masses. There is obvioulsy no need to release the 360 in Australia, NZ, the Middle East, Africa, South America or mainland Asia.

[Grandthefter]

It's good to see that the entire world can be divided up into three minor land masses. There is obvioulsy no need to release the 360 in Australia, NZ, the Middle East, Africa, South America or mainland Asia.

Yeah you're right, must suck.

 

Anyway, I live in england and December the 2nd is a good day for me now. Can't wait

[Cran.]

I'm still trying to figure out when they'll actually release it in Australia, last time I checked, we have to wait well into 2006

[Shoofly]

It's going to be sold out everwhere anyway, so either you wait outside the store for weeks, or you dont get one till after christmas. Stupid 36-year-old non-lifed geeks will take all the first ones..

[GTA3Rockstar]

It's going to be sold out everwhere anyway, so either you wait outside the store for weeks, or you dont get one till after christmas. Stupid 36-year-old non-lifed geeks will take all the first ones..

Yeah, so save the rest for all of us... lol

[Dalpura]

So that's what, a March release for Australia? Heh, awesome. Just in time for Christmas, not too long to wait, and enough time to save save up the money for such a large purchase; excellent.

[sate]

So that's what, a March release for Australia? Heh, awesome. Just in time for Christmas, not too long to wait, and enough time to save save up the money for such a large purchase; excellent.

How is March in time for Christmas? Aren't you having Christmas the 24/25th?

 

Don't worry I wont buy that peace of sh*t, so there will be another one for you guys.

[Pierce Brosnan]

So that's what, a March release for Australia? Heh, awesome. Just in time for Christmas, not too long to wait, and enough time to save save up the money for such a large purchase; excellent.

How is March in time for Christmas? Aren't you having Christmas the 24/25th?

 

Don't worry I wont buy that peace of sh*t, so there will be another one for you guys.

Yeah, why is that?

 

Anyway, I'll get the Xbox 360 when it becomes cheaper, and when I get tired of my current Xbox I guess.

 

I can wait.

[gta_king]

So that's what, a March release for Australia? Heh, awesome. Just in time for Christmas, not too long to wait, and enough time to save save up the money for such a large purchase; excellent.

How is March in time for Christmas? Aren't you having Christmas the 24/25th?

I do believe he was being sarcastic.

 

I won't be getting the Xbox 360 as soon as it's released, Nor will i be getting the PS3 as soon as its released, I'll probably hang on for a few months and see what other games get released for them then get either one of them.

[GTA3Freak-2001]

Meh doesn't bother me when it comes out since I doubt I'll have the money to get it in the foreseeable future anyway .

[papanesta]

All ready got mine pre-ordered in Virgin. And got money aside to get it.

[the_darkside_986]

I think I'll try to get whichever one has GTA4 on it first. That will probably be PS3, but if they release it on the PC first, then I'll have to get a new computer.

[Chunks]

I went into GAME and pre-ordered the more expensive Xbox 360 bundle, so that I don't have to buy all the crap after I buy the basic system.

 

I just hope Perfect Dark Zero is a launch title.....PLEASE DON'T DELAY!

[Simon.]

Who cares about the Australian region? Of course we can wait until March 2006, wonder if we'll get anything special? I'm going for a PS3 it'll probably be released about the same time as the X-Box is released here, let's hope Sony doesn't make us wait.