http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUST13446120090226
TOKYO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) Xbox 360 outsold rival machines from Nintendo and Sony for the first time in five months in Japan last week, helped by Square Enix's (9684.T) popular role-playing game title, a research firm said.
Microsoft's video game operations have struggled in Japan, home to both Nintendo Co Ltd (7974.OS) and Sony Corp (6758.T), and its Xbox 360 has rarely topped Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 in weekly sales.
But in the week that ended Feb. 22, it beat its rivals thanks to the launch of the latest installment of Square Enix Holdings' blockbuster role-playing game series, "Star Ocean".
Analysts have said Microsoft needs to strengthen its lineup of role-playing game titles to cater for Japanese video gamers' tastes. Action and sports titles tend to be popular in the United States and Europe, while role-playing games sell well in Japan.
Microsoft sold 21,013 units of its Xbox 360 last week, compared with 16,900 units of the Wii and 15,967 units of the PS3, Ascii Media Works said on Thursday.
"Star Ocean: The Last Hope", which is designed for the Xbox 360, went on sale on Feb. 19 in Japan, and is estimated to have sold 173,850 units by Feb. 22, becoming the top-selling game software in the country last week, the research firm said. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka)
