News Blog

Sales for Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 experienced a minor gain in the latest retail data from Japan.

Media Create Co. on Fri. reported that the Xbox 360 sold 1,687 units between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23, an increase from sales of 1,243 the week prior.

Last week’s debut of Koei Corp.’s Warriors Orochi fell out of the top 50 after one week. The Xbox 360 did not rank any game titles in the top 50 in the latest sales period.

Microsoft this month announced new Xbox 360 software to help spur tepid sales in the region, including Tecmo Inc.’s Ninja Gaiden 2 and Square Enix’s The Infinite Discovery and The Last Remnant.

Additionally, new Xbox Live Arcade titles, including Every Extend Extra Q and Ikaruga will be released in Japan.

The Xbox 360 has held a losing battle in Japan against more popular offerings, including Nintendo Co.’s Wii and Sony Corp’s Playstation 3. In the first half of 2007, the Xbox 360 sold 122,565 units in Japan, compared to 1.78 Wii units and 503,554 PS3 units, according to game magazine publisher Enterbrain.

Microsoft in Aug. cut the price of all Xbox 360 models in the U.S. from $20 to $50. The company’s Japan division in July said that there are no plans to discount the hardware in the territory.