Okay, I'm going to get a Japanese 360

[honorless]

Just so people know, the Jasper units have not been spotted in the wild yet. Those reports that came out a few weeks ago were bogus. I'm waiting for that particular model as well.

After doing more research on the matter, you're right. I suppose that'll teach me to forget to check back after reading something so I can be sure it's not just a logical-sounding rumor.

[kazuo]

Your first mistake is that you called MS and asked. When the RROD hits, you simply give them the serial, ask to retain the console you send them, and they repair it. Search the forums, a few have done this before.

Also, if your disc drive fails, call them and say it red ringed. Just mention that the disc drive was acting strange as well. My friend at work did this and they simply sent him a new console. It worked in one case, at the very least.

http://hawtymcbloggy.com/2008/02/28/ano ... microsoft/

Your first mistake is assuming that the monkeys at MS can handle a simple request like making sure you get the same console back.

It doesn't always happen and cannot be guaranteed. Particularly if the failure on the gpu/cpu is spectacularly bad (they will often simply send you another console).

Sure, you could always simply not tell them it is a Japanese-region console, in which case they will service it without issue. And then you'd also be risking getting back a USA region console, which is worth approximately one-third what you paid for the Japanese one.

Not worth it.

I was considering purchasing one of the consoles from the seller on Amazon, so I contacted him and the lot numbers that he has are all from launch consoles. This means they will all fail unless you perform a laundry list of modifications--and they will still likely fail. The time and money involved is better spent on a Japanese 360 arcade console with a Jasper chipset. They should be in the market around the time DDPDOJ and Death Smiles hit.

NCS is kind enough to inform buyers of what lot numbers they have on-hand for their stock so it should not be difficult to obtain the correct console.

[JigsawMan]

Buying an Elite is a better bet though? yes? (Hope so cos I just ordered one). Don't want to wait for the Jasper to be released...

[RackGaki]

Your first mistake is assuming that the monkeys at MS can handle a simple request like making sure you get the same console back.

Every one of us knows that a NTSC/U 360 could be returned instead of our coveted NTSC/J models. We've done our research and are willing to accept the risks. Worst-case scenario, I have an Xbox to sell (certainly for more than the $80 orso -about one third- you think they go for these days), and have been playing games instead of sweating over what-ifs.

Since you already admitted that these 360s are selling at a bargain, the risks just aren't for you. Which is great! Since we're assuming here, I suppose your defensive tirade is a result of me using the word "mistake" in your direction. Am I wrong?

[thamasha69]

I just purchased an HDMI model Japanese unit from ebay - drive won't open but no rrod. I spent roughly 3-4 hours toying with the drive - the pulley/magnet/gears were not the problem as many will say. I took the tray off the dvd drive itself and removed the top cover from the drive. To play a game I place the disc in the drive (on the spindle itself while the unit is off) and replace the magnet/top of drive cover. I have no eject button and have to leave the top off the 360's case, but for $40 I'm not gonna complain

[kazuo]

My mistake on the "one-third" thing regarding the value. I meant to say "one-third less." You could probably get close to what you spent on the unit by re-selling it if you end up with a USA-region box after warranty, but why even bother going through all that when you can just wait a couple months and pick up a Jasper unit that will likely never fail on you? (The GPU/CPU, anyway! DVD drive is another can of worms)

IMO it isn't worth saving a hundred bucks and having to go through the hassle of getting it warrantied, not getting the same one back, resell buy a new one from Japan anyway blah blah blah.

Merely presenting my opinion/an alternative to those who are interested in picking up a Japanese 360 (of whom I am sure there are many)--there is no "defensive tirade" here, though you are free to interpret things however you'd like.

JigsawMan: Yeah, you should be fine with an Elite, particularly if it is a Falcon. The failure rate on Falcons is more in-line with industry norms for hardware failures so I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

Every one of us knows that a NTSC/U 360 could be returned instead of our coveted NTSC/J models. We've done our research and are willing to accept the risks. Worst-case scenario, I have an Xbox to sell (certainly for more than the $80 orso -about one third- you think they go for these days), and have been playing games instead of sweating over what-ifs.

Since you already admitted that these 360s are selling at a bargain, the risks just aren't for you. Which is great! Since we're assuming here, I suppose your defensive tirade is a result of me using the word "mistake" in your direction. Am I wrong?

[mrtie]

My unit arrived today from the amazon seller. It works awesome with Raiden IV, It is an older 20gb unit, ie no hdmi, but for $204 shipped I will not even complain. Big thumbs up to the amazon seller I linked if anyone is still looking if he has any more, fast shipping and really nicely packed.

[Ed Oscuro]

Buying an Elite is a better bet though?

From what I've read about U.S. consoles, the answer is "maybe and marginally." Elites started showing up quite early and many of them are early hardware revs.

[Dremark]

It shows that contrary to what you wrote it has not been selling fairly well there since launch, and in the past 5 weeks many potential buyers are buying an X360 instead.

I own both systems, by the way. Both collect dust too.

I was under the impression that the 360 was outselling the PS3 due to an increase in it's sales, rather than a decrease in the sales of the PS3.

Upon closer inspection, you are correct, it looks like the PS3 sales were cut in half from August on.

[Gmintyfresh]

My Japanese 360 Arcade arrived this morning:



Checked the PSU and my PAL Elite one fits perfectly

Going to power it up tonight, when I get it set up going to try and get a cheap hard drive out of Microsoft!!

Need to get either Raiden 4 or Raiden Fighters ordered, I'm torn between the two

[Elixir]

Congrats, but if you leave it sandwiched like that, it's going to overheat within a month.

It's also generally a bad idea to have consoles on the carpet.

[Gmintyfresh]

Congrats, but if you leave it sandwiched like that, it's going to overheat within a month.

It's also generally a bad idea to have consoles on the carpet.

I'd best turn off that electric heater and radiator that are just out of shot then

[JigsawMan]

The Elite I bought from play asia arrived in 2 days (to the UK) and I had to fork out £24 import duty (£10 of which was UPS's fee!) so thats not too bad.

I already have a PS3 and wasn't really interested in the 360 until Raiden IV came out - well worth it (well, I would have rather bought it cheap from the Uk and it be region free...)

I have it plugged into a 21" Dell LCD (16ms response time) and it works really well. I was worried that 16ms would be no good for shmupping as in some other games I notice it not refreshing quick enough - but on the xbox and with raiden at least it is very good.

I have shiki 3 and Raiden Fighter Aces on the way too, anyone know if they support the same hi-res setup as Raiden IV does (which looks great).

[Ed Oscuro]

My Japanese 360 Arcade arrived this morning:

November '05 manufacturing date?

Same question to JigsawMan.

[RackGaki]

Now, I may be wearing a tinfoil hat here, but I somehow suspect that JigsawMan's Elite wasn't manufactured in November 2005.