In Japan, convenience stores sell a much wider variety of products than they do in the US. That was the case when I lived there 10 years ago, and from what I've read and heard, that has become even more true now with convenience stores acting as a small supermarket that also retails in stuff like DVD's and games. 

throw in free xbox live and you've got a deal. 

Ah yes, SB:LOC. Another fantastic Capcom game.

But nevertheless, it was a small-run game. They only made 50k units for the US market (give or take). All sold out week 1, as far as I remember.

Either way, the Japanese offerings from Namco and Capcom have been vastly better this generation than last generation. And IMO, I think it's very important for MS to continue the fight in Japan, because it allows developers to have more reasons to make games for Japan, and port to the US.

Here's the issue: Western devs are nearly locked in the immortal PS3/X360 multiport. Games that do this sell definately well enough to keep it that way, even for the budgets.

But when it comes to developers that might bring 50% of their income in from Japan, the Wii is the only viable option. Neither the PS3 nor X360 have the userbase and software purchase base to really garner sales. The X360 has the advantage of doing oh-so well outside of Japan, but not inside.

Therefore, developers like Namco and Capcom have the ability to have 500k+ selling games in the West, but they need to have that freedom to move 100k+ in Japan. If they get that way, we could easily expect larger developers to make more and more X360 games in the East, for both east/west consumers.