CNN is reporting that Microsoft is releasing the HD-DVD external drive on Nov 22 in .... JAPAN!!! Gah. The unit will cost 19,800 yen or $170 US. No word on when the rest of the world will be able to buy one or whether the drive will work in US and European 360s.

I guess this is what it feels like to live in Europe or Australia. This is the US damn it. I think somewhere in the constitution it says if I have the dough and I want it I should be able to buy it. It's right next to the part that says you can carry guns and shoot your neighbor if he pisses you off.

Either Microsoft is getting serious about competing with Sony on its home turf ... or ... there is a pretty severe supply problem with the HD-DVD drives. Microsoft has only managed on selling 150,000 Xbox 360s in Japan compared to the 5 million or so in Europe and North America. With such a small install base how many peripherals could they really sell?

It's not just about consoles. Japan was the laserdisc capital of the world and has a long history of research in HDTV. They are the pioneer consumers when it comes to new video formats. Microsoft supports the HD-DVD faction, and beating Sony is not only about beating PS3, it's about beating Bluray. And since Japan is a good market for new and esoteric video formats, it could boost Xbex sales.

Obviously you're exagerating for humor, but haven't most past consoles/add-ons been released in Japan first? We've always known what our European friends felt like to an extent, what with Japan getting so many gaming releases before us.

You're lucky. I live somewhere where we have to talk it out with our neighbor if he pisses us off.

I didn't think anyone pissed each other off where you live. : )

But does anyone even own an Xbox in Japan? :P