February 19, 2002. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Xbox aims to make it big in Japan ahead of European launch in March

LONDON, February 19, Graphic News: Microsoft CorpÕs much hyped Xbox games console will be launched in Japan on Friday, going head-to-head against SonyÕs PlayStation 2 and NintendoÕs GameCube.

The software giant is confident that it will be able to build on its success in its home market. Since the console was released last November it has sold 1.5 million machines in the U.S., with an average of three games sold for each box. 

Making it big in Japan -- the industryÕs most competitive market, in which gamers buy a third of the worldÕs video software -- is crucial for Microsoft. The global console software market is worth $17.7 billion annually. 

The Xbox also needs to do well in Japan to create a buzz ahead of its March 14 launch in Europe.
/ENDS
Source: Microsoft, Associated Press