Japanese Xbox 360 Gets FIFA World Cup Bundle

Microsoft Japan has announced that it is releasing a special Xbox 360 limited edition hardware bundle to debut alongside Electronic Arts' 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, due to release in Japan on April 27th. According to reports by consumer site GameSpot, the bundle will be limited to 10,000 units, and will include an Xbox 360 with hard drive, controller, and remote control, plus an Xbox 360 Adidas Japan Blue faceplate, an Adidas Japan Blue original bandana, and a copy of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany title - the faceplate features the colors of the Japanese national soccer team. Unfortunately, the Xbox 360 has been faring particularly badly in Japan of late, with the latest Japanese charts revealing just 1,415 units of the console sold in Japan in the last week, less even than the relatively dormant Nintendo Gamecube, so this bundle is evidently one attempt to help revitalize interest in the console. In addition, unconfirmed online reports are indicating that Microsoft will hold a press conference in Japan next week that may herald a change in strategy or bundling for the Xbox 360 in Japan, centered around the late June release of a number of key X360 titles, including Chrome Hounds, in the Japanese territory. However, there has not yet been any official confirmation of such a move.