Xbox Japan has never had an easy time in The Land of the Rising Sun. Last year, with titles like Tales of Vesperia, the company saw some bright spots. This year has been somewhat grim.

Even with the recent Xbox 360 price, Microsoft only moved a little over 4,000 consoles in the most recent sales tally.

According to a Japanese game shop employee's personal blog, the individual thought that Microsoft had some big titles to show at this year's Tokyo Game Show. "But all in all, there was nothing," the retail blogger writes. Sure, there is Forza 3, but that game has already been announced.

"This year, the big, eagerly anticipated titles are Final Fantasy XIII on the PS3, New Super Mario Bros. on the Wii and Zelda, on the 360, there's not much of anything."

(Note: Not sure why Zelda is mentioned here — it could simply be an error or a reference to upcoming Zelda Nintendo DS title Spirit Tracks.)

"It might be very hard to change the domestic trend," the clerk says. "I really feel that it's too late in Japan which seems to be bailing."

The clerk wraps up his post, saying that perhaps from now on the Xbox 360 might have a shrinking presence in retail shops.

http://kotaku.com/5380297/japanese-retail-employee-says-xbox-360-having-rough-time

the 360 was never going to be a succes in japan never was and never wil

that guy in the pic does not look happy

lol the guy's like... wtf u doin here.. gtfo!

BTW I think this is the best source ever.. lmao

at BEST he's a gamer with like knowledge of the sales of 1 store..

He's more like "wtf am I doing here..."

@Title:

You don't say...

lmao

  That's becouse he is used to play his DS below the desk per 8 hours a day and doesn't like this disturbance when once a day client arrives to xbox section :D

And for the blog poster I think we should nominate him for Captain Obvious reward.

This is rather obvious

I'd say if 360 sells 3-4 million units lifetime in Japan that's a success.

Not sure that guy believes in serve with a smile.

Well, it's one opinion, but really, is it a surprise?

360, in four years (more or less, 360 launched December 2005 Japan, right?) has racked up just over 1M units with the help of a lot of marketing dollars, exclusive (or timed exclusive) titles, etc. and what I think can be fairly deemed a massive and strong effort by MS.

The PS3, despite launching with a horrible price, few games and the loss of many titles to 360 as part of the aforementioned timed exclusives, has sold over 3.5 Million consoles in less time on the market, and with a recent huge boost thanks to the Slim and a price cut.

The Wii... well, you know.

Of course the 360's overall outlook isn't rosy, and with the regional backlash with ToV on PS3, etc. I think the console clearly took a public relations knock.

Of all the consoles in the region its the most likely to struggle to see growth until Natal launches. Not saying Natal will save 360 but it's the next thing on the horizon that could improve the console in Japan that I can see.

So, while I kind of discount a one guy opinion, in this case I reckon he's probably right, but then, he is speaking about something fairly black and white.