Xbox priced Y 34,800 in Japan

LOS ANGELES: Microsoft Corp. will launch its Xbox video game console in Japan

on February 22 for 34,800 yen ($263.44) with a starting lineup of 12 games and a

smaller controller for the Japanese market, a Microsoft executive said on

Wednesday.

Mitch Koch, Microsoft's vice president for worldwide retail sales and

marketing, told Reuters the games will be priced between 6,800 yen ($51.47) and

9,800 yen ($74.19). A total of 22 games will be available by March 31, Koch

said.

Koch declined to say how many consoles would be available on day one or how

many units Microsoft will ship to retailers each week. "We're not giving a

specific number, but again, the strategy will be similar to the US," he

said.

Microsoft will also offer 50,000 special Xbox units with a translucent case,

a silver-coloured logo, high-definition TV and Dolby stereo expansion packs, and

an engraved keychain with serial number. That commemorative unit will sell for

39,800 yen ($301.29), Koch said.

Among the Japanese publishers supporting the launch with games are Sega

Corp., Konami Co. Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., Koch said. The Japanese

version of the Xbox will also come with a local version of the control pad,

which Koch said is smaller than the US version and has the four main buttons

arranged in a circular pattern rather than a diamond-like pattern.

Japanese customers will be able to order an Xbox from February 2 online and

through retailers, Koch said. One of the launch titles will be Sega's "Jet

Set Radio Future," a highly-anticipated game that will come to the United

States later this year, Microsoft said.

(C) Reuters Limited.