Microsoft unveils Xbox 360 release dates

Microsoft has just announced the final release dates of its Xbox 360 console at the Tokyo Game Show 2005. It will hit North American retail stores on Tuesday, November 22 but other markets will need to wait a bit longer. In Europe it will retail on Friday, December 2 and in Japan it will be released on Saturday, December 10.

In preparation for what is expected to be massive worldwide demand for the new system, Microsoft also announced that Xbox 360 manufacturing is under way, with state-of-the-art facilities producing millions of units ultimately bound for frenzied gamers’ homes from Osaka, Japan, to Oxford, England, and Orlando, Fla.

Microsoft also said more than 200 games are currently in development for the Xbox 360 console.

Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers looking for the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride and best value right out of the box may purchase an Xbox 360 system, which comes fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY.*