Xbox 360 to hit shelves before Thanksgiving

After months of intense industry speculation, Microsoft revealed late Wednesday the launch dates for its much-anticipated Xbox 360 video game console.

In an announcement at the Tokyo Game Show, the company said the new Xbox–Microsoft’s entrant in the next-generation console wars–would hit store shelves in North America on Nov. 22, in Europe on Dec. 2 and in Japan on Dec. 10. The company clearly wanted to take advantage of the holiday shopping rush just before and after Thanksgiving in the United States.

“That’s what you want to do to launch a console,” said International Development Group market analyst Mike Sabine. “You definitely want to have it on shelves to enjoy the Thanksgiving shopping period.”

Last month, Microsoft said the Xbox 360 would come in two flavors: a base model for $299 and a souped-up version with a 20GB hard drive and wireless controllers for $399.

The company is trying to alter a current-generation console landscape in which archrival Sony has sold 75.6 million PlayStation 2s, compared with Microsoft’s sales of just 19.8 million Xboxes, according to IDC analyst Schelley Olhava.

Full article: ZDNet News