Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console has finally outsold both the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii game consoles in Japan, a feat that hasn't happened for Microsoft in five months.
Media Create Co. numbers indicate Microsoft sold 25,334 Xbox 360 units between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22, while the Wii sold 17,000 units and the PS3 sold 16,000 units.
The U.S.-based company was greatly helped by the Square Enix's Star Ocean: The Last Hope video game, which was able to put it over the top against the Wii and PS3. Star Ocean: The Last Hope, only available for the Xbox 360, was released on Feb. 19 and by Feb. 22 sold an estimated 173,850 copies, according to researchers.
Microsoft has had a hard time cracking the Japanese game market, though has had success outselling the PS3 in Japan -- but struggled trying to overtake Nintendo's dominance. Although the PS3 has better hardware and the Wii has proven to be more popular among all age groups, Microsoft continues to arguably have the strongest game catalog among the three next-generation consoles.
Xbox 360 gamers will be able to look forward to Halo Wars and a new Xbox 360 Elite Limited Edition that comes bundled with Resident Evil 5, among other new game titles in the pipeline.
