- Can I modchip/hack/firmware change/modify my Xbox 360 so it can play NTSC-J games/copies?
As per the forum rules: No ISO trading, ROM begging, bootlegging, modchip sales, copyright infringement, or assistance with any of these.
- How can you tell the difference between console versions?
If you're ordering online (which you most likely will be), you can't. There's nothing wrong with owning a Jasper unit over a Falcon, nor is there anything wrong with owning a Falcon over a Jasper. Common sense and recent reports suggest that owning the latest model of the console holds the advantage. A notable advantage which the Jasper has is the on-board 256MB RAM to cover the NXE update which requires a memory card or HDD in Falcon or previous models. 14.2 amps equals a Falcon unit (65nm CPU, 90nm GPU) and 12.1 amps equals a Jasper unit (65nm CPU, 65nm GPU). All Xbox360 Slim units contain the newest chip, Vejle.
Apart from purchasing an Japanese 360 physically, there's no way to tell which unit you will be receiving. You could always try emailing Play-Asia but that will probably get you nowhere (as evident in the rest of the thread).
- What are the benefits of owning a Japanese 360?
Most shmups and other very Japanese-esque games are region locked, and this grants you access to all of them. A majority of NTSC-J games also end up receiving an Asian English release, but not all. Some of them even come out in English before the US, like Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey.
- What are the disadvantages of owning a Japanese 360?
Some games like Culdcept Saga, Eternal Sonata, Earth Defense Force 2017 and Operation Darkness are region locked to US (NTSC/UC) only. They have Japanese releases, but of course they're all in Japanese. Some games have Asian English releases, like Eternal Sonata for example, but some don't. Eternal Sonata aside, all the others are Japanese. There's a possibility that worthwhile games in the future will be region locked to US only, and you won't be able to play them.
- Is _______ Xbox 360 game compatible with a Japanese 360?
Please see Play-Asia's Xbox360™ Regional Compatibility Guide.
- Is _______ Xbox game backwards compatible with a Japanese 360?
See here. Please refer to Wikipedia's List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360.
- Can I create a non-Japanese 360 account on a Japanese 360?
Yes. Just your local account and local email. I would recommend making an account of your own region, and a Japanese account. If you use a non-Japanese account and an NTSC-J game tries to access the JP store, it will give a "service is temporarily unavailable" error. There's details on how to create a JP account below.
- Where can I purchase one from?
Ideally, purchasing a Japanese console within your own region is the cheapest method of purchase. Alternatively, getting someone inside of Japan would be the next best option. Failing that, it's possible to order them from stores online such as Play-Asia, HMV.co.jp or Yes-Asia. There are links to Play-Asia where these games can be purchased below.
- What shooters are available, and what shooters are coming to the Japanese 360?
* Green indicates regionless games, playable with all 360 consoles.
Retail (full price, physical) releases:
- Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Jul 25, 2006
- Shikigami no Shiro III - Dec 12, 2007
- Raiden Fighters Aces - Mar 25, 2008
- Raiden IV - Sep 30, 2008
- Otomedius Gorgeous - Nov 19, 2008
- Dodonpachi Daioujou Black Label Extra - Feb 19, 2009
- Shooting Love 200X - Feb 19, 2009
- Death Smiles - Apr 24, 2009
- Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta - Jun 25, 2009
- Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 26, 2009 *
- ESPGaluda II - Feb 25, 2010 *
- Ketsui - Apr 22, 2010
- Senko no Ronde DUO - May 20, 2010
- Death Smiles II X - May 27, 2010
- Strike Witches Shirogane no Tsubasa - Jul 29, 2010
- Radirgy Noah - Oct 28, 2010
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Nov 25, 2010
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu: Black Label - Feb 3, 2011
- Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets - Feb 24, 2011 *
- Bullet Soul - Apr 7, 2011 *
- Eschatos - Apr 7, 2011 *
- Otomedius Excellent - Apr 21, 2011
- Akai Katana - May 26, 2011
- Under Defeat HD - Feb 23, 2012
- Mushihimesama HD - May 24, 2012
- Ginga Force - Feb 12, 2013
- Caladrius - Apr 25, 2013
- Dodonpachi Saidaioujou - May 30, 2013 *
- Shooting Love 10th anniversary. XIIZEAL & ΔZEAL - May 30, 2013 *
- Ginga Force & Eschatos Wonder Pack - Jun 13, 2013 *
- Game Centre Love - ~Plus Pengo!~ - Apr 24, 2014 *
- Bullet Soul -INFINITE BURST- - May 29, 2014 *
- Sakura Flamingo Archives - Nov 27, 2014
-
Platinum Collection (reprinted, budget) releases:
- Senko no Ronde Rev.X - Mar 04, 2008
- Otomedius Gorgeous - Mar 11, 2010
- Deathsmiles - Apr 8, 2010
- Mushihimesama Futari - Nov 11, 2010 *
- ESPGaluda II - Apr 28, 2011 *
- Deathsmiles II X - Nov 10, 2011
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu - Mar 08, 2012
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu Double Pack - Apr 26, 2012
- Eschatos [Wonder Price] - Jun 14, 2012 *
- Muchi Muchi Pork! & Pink Sweets - Feb 21, 2013 *
- Ginga Force [Wonder Price] - May 01, 2014 *
Full retail games available on the Hong Kong and Japanese Xbox 360 marketplaces. For region-locking and IP-locking information, see here (Hong Kong store) and here (Japanese store). This is a Japanese Wiki covering games on different Games on Demand content of various regions. As such, this is speaking from a perspective of residents in Japan with NTSC-J consoles. For now, we're going to be looking at the Hong Kong store. The layout of the Wiki's categories are as follows:
First section: no VPN required, no IP-lock. Game was released in Japan.
Second section: no VPN required, no IP-lock. Game was not released in Japan.
Third section: VPN required, IP-locked. Game was released in Japan.
Fourth section: VPN required, IP-locked. Game was not released in Japan.
Fifth section: Region-locked (does not work on NTSC-J 360 consoles).
Before proceeding with a Games on Demand purchase, make sure you understand your download. Generally speaking, most Games on Demand titles are region-locked and IP-locked, although there are some exceptions, like the Hong Kong store's Bullet Soul (region-free, no IP-lock) and Mushihimesama Futari (region-free, IP-locked). Here's a small guideline to follow through with a purchase:
1. Is the game you're looking at buying from the Hong Kong Games on Demand store listed here?
2. Is the game playable on your console's region? Digital and physical releases are the same. Cross-reference with the aforementioned green text and Play-Asia's Xbox360™ Regional Compatibility Guide.
3. Is the game listed in the first two categories of the Wiki? If yes, no VPN is required. Purchase and download.
4. Is the game listed in the third or fourth categories? If yes, a VPN is required for the beginning and end of the download's IP check*.
* The IP-locks only activate at the start and end of the download. You can simply log into a VPN, initiate the download, switch to your own connection, download, and switch back around 90%. You do not need to download the entire game through a VPN.
The below shooting games are available on the Japanese Games on Demand service, consult the above information before proceeding with purchase.
- Senko no Ronde Rev.X [ 2009/09/08 / 1.14 GB / 2,675 yen ]
- Raiden IV [ 2010/01/12 / 377.36 MB / 3,024 yen ]
- Otomedius G [ 2010/10/05 / 3.33 GB / 2,675 yen ]
- Shooting Love 200X [ 2010/02/09 / 2.96 GB / 1,944 yen ]
- Deathsmiles [ 2012/01/10 / 1.99 GB / 2,675 yen ]
- Mamorukun wa Nowarete Shimatta [ 2010/06/29 / 1.39 GB / 3,024 yen ]
- Mushihimesama Futari [ 2012/02/07 / 814.62 MB / 2,675 yen ]
- ESPGaluda II Black Label [ 2012/03/06 / 657.32 MB / 2,675 yen ]
- Senko no Rondo DUO [ 2011/04/26 / 2.30 GB / 3,024 yen ]
- Radirgy NOA MASSIVE [ 2011/08/09 / 2.07 GB / 3,024 yen ]
- Eschatos [ 2012/02/28 / 198.82 MB / 2,052 yen ]
- Bullet Soul [ 2011/12/13 / 1.25 GB / 2,052 yen ]
- Otomedius X [ 2012/07/17 / 2.29 GB / 3,024 yen ]
- Under Defeat HD [ 2013/08/20 / 970.90 MB / 1,954 yen ]
- Ginga Force [ 2013/06/18 / 1.24 GB / 2,675 yen ]
- Caladrius [ 2013/09/24 / 801.73 MB / 6,583 yen ]
- Shooting Love 10th Anniversary ～XIIZEAL & ΔZEAL～ [ 2014/04/24 / 200.18 MB / 3,025 yen ]
- Game Center Love ~Plus Pengo!~ [ 2014/07/24 / 203.07 MB / 5,832 yen ]
- Sakura Flamingo Archives [ 2014/12/01 / 3.19 GB / 4,752 yen ]
- Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets [ 2015/01/27 / 358.53 MB / 2,700 yen ]
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu Black Label [ 2015/01/27 / 525.95 MB / 1,944 yen ]
- Akai Katana [ 2015/01/27 / 1.17 GB / 2,700 yen ]
- Mushihimesama [ 2015/02/12 / 462.57 MB / 2,700 yen ]
- Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu ver1.5 [ 2015/02/12 / 749.93 MB / 2,700 yen ]
- Dodonpachi Saidaioujou [ 2015/02/12 / 3.08 GB / 2,700 yen ]
- DeathSmiles2 X [ 2015/03/03 / 1.21 GB / 2,700 yen ]
(Discontinued games are unavailable, but shmups unavailable on the Japanese store can also be downloaded and played on NTSC-J consoles by purchasing them through non-Japanese accounts)
- Horizontally oriented, scrolling, fixed
- Scramble
- Omega Five
- AEGIS WING (free, not available on the Japanese store)
- Jetpac Refuelled
- Heavy Weapon
- Defender (not available on the Japanese store)
- R-Type Dimensions
- Zeit2 (not available on the Japanese store)
- Trouble Witches Neo!
- Choplifter HD (not available on the Japanese store)
- SINE MORA
- Capcom Arcade Cabinet (Section Z, Side Arms, etc)
- Ikaruga
- Galaga
- Gyruss
- Xevious
- Triggerheart Exelica
- Centipede/Millipede (not available on the Japanese store)
- Missile Command (not available on the Japanese store)
- Space Giraffe
- TEMPEST (also available in Game Room)
- Galaga Legions
- Galaga Legions DX
- 1942 Remake (not available on the Japanese store)
- Space Invaders Extreme
- RAYSTORM HD
- SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE
- THE KING OF FIGHTERS -SKY STAGE-
- Guwange
- Strania
- Radiant Silvergun
- Capcom Arcade Cabinet (1942, 1943, 1943 Kai, Legendary Wings, EXED EXES, Vulgus, etc)
- Every Extend Extreme Extra
- Time Pilot
- Assault Heroes
- ASTEROID (not available on the Japanese store)
- Battlestar Galactica
- Crystal Quest
- Gatling Gears (not available on the Japanese store)
- Geometry Wars (also included as a bonus game in Project Gotham Racing 4)
- Mutant Storm Reloaded
- Mutant Storm Empire
- Robotron: 2084 (no longer available/pulled from store)
- Smash TV (no longer available/pulled from store)
- Undertow
- Wing Commander Arena (not available on the Japanese store)
- Assault Heroes 2
- GEOMETRY WARS RETRO EVOLVED 2
- Shred Nebula
- PowerUp Forever
- 0 Day Attack on Earth
- DEATH BY CUBE
- Bangai-O HD Missile Fury
- Renegade Ops
- HEXODIUS (not available on the Japanese store)
- Rez HD
- TRON (not available on the Japanese store)
- Aces of the Galaxy
- After Burner Climax
- Yar's Revenge (not available on the Japanese store)
Game Room is a distribution platform offered in 2010 for 360 and PC (GFWL), which offers a variety of retro titles. Most if not all titles are available worldwide, but for consistency's sake I will list them here. A number of titles also have technical issues, so keep this in mind as there's no indication/warning before purchasing.
- Battlantis
- Twinbee *huge lag, lacks voice, has various issues with scenery and music
- Detana!! Twinbee *small lag, has issues with scenery
- Devastators
- Finalizer *small lag, sound differs to the arcade version
- Flak Attack *was patched. however, small lag post-patch remains
- Gyruss
- Jackal/Top Gunner
- Manhattan 10 Bunsho
- Juno First
- Mega Zone *small lag, passable
- Pooyan *no music
- Scooter Shooter *no music
- Scramble
- Strategy-X
- Super Cobra
- Time Pilot
- Labyrinth Runner
It entirely depends on your location. For me in New Zealand, my Japanese 360 died and I had it repaired. It was sent to Australia where it was repaired and sent back to me. Some parts of the world will not allow you to have your console repaired. Sometimes they will replace consoles with working ones, so make sure that if yours dies, that they've made a note not to replace your unit with another, as it's most likely going to be a unit of your own region. Microsoft have announced that they will cover dead 360s even if they don't have the RRoD, and no additional charge is given. It can take anywhere up to a month to successfully get through the repair process (depending on distance, and work load)
- What are the differences between the Japanese and US marketplaces?
Back when I first got a Japanese account in 2007, it seriously lacked content beyond having iDOLM@STER DLC and a few other things. Thankfully this has changed over the years, and now the Japanese store is actually quite worthwhile (to the point where my main account is Japanese) as it contains things like the Japanese Inside Xbox, interviews and other stuff. However, it still lacks a fair amount of stuff which the US store has, such as Netflix or Rock Band DLC.
- What about DLC? What can I do with it?
Most of the DLC available is region locked as well, so this means you won't be able to purchase DLC inside Japanese games when using an American account UNLESS the game and content is the same and is uploaded to the US marketplace's servers. Outside of games, you can purchase DLC at the marketplace by using --providing you either have a credit card or points code. Late '07 they removed the ability to add foreign credit cards, and now foreign cards no longer work at all.
Apparently it's possible to purchase Japanese Xbox Live points through a Paypal credit card (US only), see here. This will remain untested and unconfirmed as I can't test this myself.
Points are also region locked, so US/PAL point cards won't work with Japanese accounts. Play-Asia now offers digital codes via e-mail as of the 3rd of September, 2010
- Will required patches for Japanese 360 games work if I log in with an American account?
Patches automatically download when you load a game regardless of your region.
- What about voltages and power supplies?
360 consoles use external power, so you can use a power supply in your own region on a foreign console without any need for conversion. Hong Kong/Chinese Xbox 360s ship with 220v power supplies, while consoles from Japan ship with 110v power supplies.
- Ok, so how do I get a Japanese 360 account?
Updated 20/11/10
Account registration is now even easier.
- From My Xbox, choose System Settings, and set Locale to Japan.
- From My Xbox, choose Xbox Live and press A.
- Press A on the first screen, choose "Create an account" on the next.
- Enter anything for your real name.
- Enter your email and password, they can be anything.
- Choose a secret question, enter anything for an answer. The secret question should be in Japanese.
- Enter date of birth.
- Skip through all of the proceeding menus, then it will proceed to create your account.
- It will generate a random gamertag for you, which you can change afterwards for free.
- If successful, your account should show the store names above My Xbox (on the dashboard) as ゲームマーケットプレース and ビデオマーケットプレース.
- To change your gamertag, go to your profile and select "Change Gamertag".
- You're done! Congratulations on your brand new Japanese 360 account!
--- If you're asked to put in a zip code, which you shouldn't be, but is required for credit card registration, choose 530-0001 and it should automatically fill out everything.
- So now that I have one, what can I download?
Things to look for: 無料 (free), and ゲームのデモ (demos). There's a bunch of free gamer icons for Puyo Puyo Fever on the marketplace, plus a few others for Xbox Originals. There's a Raiden Fighters Aces demo as well. But really, not much unless you get yourself some points. There was a time where some demos were Japanese marketplace-exclusive, like Ninja Gaiden 2 and Eternal Sonata, but that's long gone. You can also freely download a bunch of trailers, for games like IDOLM@STER Live for You or Agarest Senki.
- Can I use a Japanese account for online gaming?
Yes. Accounts are basically the same, and unlike buying DLC, Xbox Gold cards do not have any region protection. Even if your credit card doesn't work, US/EU Gold membership codes can be applied to Japanese accounts. Credit cards can be removed from the Xbox.com website. My Xbox > Accounts > Edit Payment Options > Edit/Remove. Keep in mind that credit cards can only be removed from Xbox.com's official site if the removal of credit cards is required by that region's law.
- What are some region locked Japanese exclusives for the 360?
Practically every shmup is exclusive, excluding Mamorukun, Ketsui, Raiden IV and Under Defeat HD, which are also available on PS3.
- What about the dashboard? Can that be changed?
The dashboard can be changed into any language, but having and using a Japanese account will mean that marketplace related items will be in Japanese, while the rest is in English. Bringing up the guide button while having an English interface, and moving to the far left tab will allow you to navigate the marketplace in English. This won't change the marketplace's language, but at least you can easily get to sections of the marketplace via this tab.
- Can I exchange x accessory from x region to another region Xbox 360?
Yes. Console accessories such as memory units, headsets, HDDs, etc, have no kinds of region locking.
- I have a currently in-use HDD. Can I use it with a Japanese 360?
Yes, but you would need to use the Xbox 360 license migration tool.
- Do I need to upgrade my HDD? Will all the shmups fit on a HDD of x size?
Shmups vary in widely in size. The Japanese Games on Demand releases also include their install sizes, which are also listed above in the "Games on Demand" section. A 20 GB HDD is only around 13400 MB (13.4 GB), so in order to install all shmups, a larger HDD would be required. This list doesn't include XBLA titles.
- What if I download a game from the Japanese marketplace? Won't it be in Japanese?
If it's an XBLA title, it will be in English providing your Xbox Dashboard is also in English. A few games seem to recognize your gamertag's location (NOT your own location, but the marketplace region of your account), such as Castlevania HD, or Bionic Commando.
- How do I change the location in my profile?
You can change your location via Locale under System Settings. This changes the locale displayed in the Motto part of your profile, and briefly appears behind mottos when selecting a person's profile. Generally people just have their locale as their real location, but it can be set to anything without consequences.
- Can I purchase Japanese-only games via the Games on Demand service using a JP account?
Games on Demand titles are locked by IP address. It will say "This content is not available in your current location.", regardless of your console, locale, or gamertag's region. There's an IP check at the beginning and start of the download. It's possible to still purchase foreign Games on Demand titles by initializing the purchase with a VNC proxy. It's only necessary at the beginning and start of the download.
Credits:
http://www.play-asia.com for general region locking stuff
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/insi ... al-consol/ for images
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/03 ... t_sept_09/ for Jasper information (via bcass)
http://www.xbox.com
Cuilan, bcass, dieKatze, deexor, colour_thief, nZero
