TGS: Microsoft And Sony Fight For Japan

While many may lament the console wars, we cannot deny the fact that the console manufacturers are competing with one another. Competition breeds innovation though, so it really isn't all that bad. Gamasutra was at the Tokyo Game Show and have provided their analysis on which console maker had a better showing at this year's event. So how are Sony and Microsoft doing in Japan?

On Microsoft:

One probably wouldn't argue that Microsoft is winning the battle in Japan. Rather, the company has muscled its way into a significant install base worldwide -- and now Japanese companies are releasing their expensively-produced titles across multiple platforms out of global necessity. It's definitely getting Microsoft somewhere.

The recent sales jump and some high profile Japanese franchises being released on the system can only help Microsoft in the future. After the original XBox landed with a thud in Japan, it is good to see that the 360 is starting to get more respect in a country that isn't always keen on adopting American gaming products.

On Sony:

Few high-end PS3 third-party titles are showing outside of Sony's booth, but there is a gigantic number of PSP games elsewhere on the show floor, from Dissidia: Final Fantasy to Level 5's new game Ushiro, with the portable system seemingly rivaling the DS in its quantity of high-profile Japan-centric releases.

Even if the PS3 isn't doing as well as Sony had hoped, we must not forget that they are currently supporting three consoles. Handhelds in particular are becoming more and more popular in the Japanese marketplace, so shifting focus onto the PSP is a smart move on Sony's part.

Nintendo chose to stay out of TGS as it has done in the past, opting intead to announce the DSi at an earlier press event. With the company currently dominating the market, a showing at TGS could have gone a long way in demonstrating their support for the core gamer market. At least some third parties were on hand with announcements for new entires in the No More Heroes and Monster Hunter franchises.

So who do you think came out on top at TGS?

TGS: Analysis - The State Of Sony, Microsoft... Nintendo? [gamasutra]