UPDATED 14 December: Kotaku have since issued a correction to the story that this post is based on, explaining that the discounts offered on the Xbox 360 don't appear to have anything to do with how well the consoles are selling in Japan - Read their correction here.
While gamers in the U.S. and Europe will have to suffer continuing Xbox 360 shortages, the consoles are collecting a fine patina of dust in stores in Japan.
Kotaku is reporting that the Xbox 360 launch in Japan was so underwhelming that the price of the consoles has already been slashed in some stores. Retailers are apparently under contract with Microsoft so they can't return the units they don't sell:
To cut loses and cover their arses, stores are left with no choice but to offer discounts. The originally 38,800yen (about $350 US) consoles have been lowered to 18,800yen (about $150 US) with Internet Service Provider contracts so that the shop could get some kickback money from the IP. And this is what, four days from launch?
Japanese Shops Now Slashing Xbox 360 Prices
Xbox 360 Shortages To Continue
New Site Launched for Irish Xbox Gamers
Capcom Announces New Sci-Fi Shooter for Xbox 360
Japan Gives Xbox 360 Tepid Welcome
Anti mp3-copying feature on Xbox 360 HDD's
No Free Xbox 360 for Ballmer
Blingy Solid Gold Xbox 360 Faceplate
17 Yr-Old Robbed for his Brand New Xbox 360
Which Next-Generation Console Will You Buy?
Discussion >>
