Microsoft announced today the planned launch of the upgraded Xbox 360 Elite in Japan on October 11th. This launch will be an attempt to drive more attention to the game console whose sales have been lagging in Japan behind rivals Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft unveiled the 360 Elite version at the end of March with upgrades including a larger hard drive, a wireless controller, HDMI and an Xbox Live Gold membership. Microsoft hopes that gamers in Japan, which happens to be home to the other two “latest generation” game consoles makers, will show more interest in the Elite version and hopefully bring more sales.

According to an earlier report, Microsoft sold only 17,616 game consoles in the first four weeks of June, compared to 41,628 Sony PS3’s and 70,974 Nintendo Wii game console units during the same four weeks.

Microsoft said they are going to sell the Elite version for 47,800 yen ($390), which is quite a deal since the Xbox 360 Elite sells for $480 in the U.S.

Source: Reuters