Microsoft announced a very competitive price cut to the Xbox Series S in Japan at the Tokyo Game Show, a move that is likely meant to make the console more appealing to eastern audiences. Whereas the console was initially listed for ¥32,980, the price cut means that Japanese audiences can get ahold of the smaller console for as low as ¥29,980.
This makes the Xbox Series S one of the cheapest consoles currently available in the region, beating out the price of both variants of PS5 and even matching price with the current generation Nintendo Switch. This move will no doubt help Microsoft gain a footing in Japan.
The original price of the console equated to around $312 USD, resting a little bit above what most western audiences are expecting to pay for it. Now with the new price is equal to about $284 USD, meaning Japanese gamers can now get the Xbox Series S for cheaper than most other regions.
It's no secret that Microsoft has struggled to get through to Japanese audiences. Year after year, Japanese gamers seem to prefer PlayStation and Nintendo consoles over Xbox consoles, but this generation is another chance to change that. It's not certain that these new lower prices will drastically affect anything, but it is clear that Microsoft is making an effort to sell Xbox Series S in Japan. By contrast, Sony has had no issues selling PlayStation consoles in the US and to other western audiences, and has even managed to outsell Xbox in most cases.
More than anything, this emphasizes the difference in price between the Xbox Series S and the PS5 Digital Edition, both of which are being marketed as cheaper alternatives to next generation gaming. Sony's cheaper variant is retailing at ¥39,980, approximately $379 USD. This is now a whole ¥10,000 more expensive than the Xbox Series S. Microsoft hasn't given a specific reason for the price cut, but it seems obvious that it is an attempt to attract more buyers in that region, potentially breaking the precedent set by the last several generations in Japan.
Of course, it remains to be seen just how this price cut will affect sales for the Xbox Series S and whether or not they will be enough to let Microsoft gain a foothold in the market, but it is certainly a good start. With PS5 pre-orders already mostly concluded and Xbox Series X | S preorders live now in Japan, it will only be a matter of time before the answer becomes clear.
The Xbox Series X received a ¥3000 price cut in Japan.
Source: IGN