2006 Tokyo Game Show coverage officially kicks off

**_skitzo_** · 20/09/06, 13:03

"Tokyo today, Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 will support 1080p content through a software upgrade.
Microsoft's announcement which effectively parries Sony's bold claims regarding the merits of 1080p high definition content or, as Sony calls it, True HD is their latest move seeking to blunt the impact of the oncoming Sony PS3 hype-train. With the True HD cat de-clawed, Microsoft's mantra of choice will appear even more appealing. It's another bullet point taken out of the next-gen console war equation."

Wow this is a huge blow for Sony; I must say I admire Microsoft announcing this in Sony's backyard!
I love this cat fight between Microsoft and Sony!
***Update***
I also called this three days ago!

Stay tuned for more TGS coverage as it happends!

**_skitzo_** · 20/09/06, 13:09

Microsoft's TGS press release announcing 1080p support and Japanese HD-DVD info, MS still had sometime to shine the light onXbox Live Arcade's future at TGS. They revealed the following list of Konami and Namco Bandai titles:

* Contra
* Gyruss (previously unannounced)
* Dig Dug
* Track & Field
* New Rally-X (previously unannounced)
* Rush'n Attack (previously unannounced)
* Ms. Pac-Man
* Yie Ar Kung Fu: a "Japan-exclusive Xbox Live Arcade game" and "one of the very first fighting games" will be released in 2007.

**_skitzo_** · 20/09/06, 14:05

MUST DELETE

**_skitzo_** · 20/09/06, 14:05

Microsoft has released the first batch of Xbox Live content to correspond with the Tokyo Games Show.
The following is available to all Xbox Live users:
* Half-Life 2: Episode Two trailer
* Tenchu Senran trailer
* Two map packs for Battle for Middle Earth II.
* A TGS picture pack
* Updates to Spades, Hearts, Backgammon and Bankshot Billards to add Vision support

In addition, Japanese Xbox 360 owners will get the following:

* Tenchu Senran demo
* Dead or Alive X2 E3 trailer
* Project Sylpheed trailer

Update -
Demos
Tenchu Senran*
Game Downloads
BFMEII Aragorn's Journey - Map Pack 1 - Free 9/20 - 9/29
Edit: this is not currently showing up as free. Don't download it yet or you'll be charged. The team is aware of this and working to corrrect it.

BFMEII Northern Badlands - Map Pack 2 - 350 Points
Arcade
Spades Vision support
Hearts Vision support
Backgammon Vision support
Bankshot Billiards Vision support
Note: If you already purchased one of these titles, you'll be prompted for the free autoupdate the next time you play the game and you're connected to Xbox Live.
Community
TGS Picture Pack
Thanks Major Nelson!

**_skitzo_** · 20/09/06, 14:36

Microsoft's expects their arrangement with legendary game designer, and father of the massively popular Final Fantasy series, Hironobu Sakaguchi to earn them a considerable amount of sales in Japan. Sakaguchi's new studio, Mistwalker, is working on two RPGs exclusively for the Xbox 360: Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey.

Microsoft announced today that Blue Dragon will lead the console's Japanese push this holiday, along with over 110 other games. Microsoft was unable to confirm what percentage of those titles are digitally distributed Xbox Live Arcade games versus retail DVD-based games, though the North American numbers are about 110 DVD-based, 50 XBLA.

As a sign of the strategic importance of the title, they'll begin bundling Blue Dragon with the recently revealed Core version of the console, creating an intoxicatingly affordable package. Like the HD-DVD announcement, there is no release date for regions outside Japan. Blue Dragon will be playable for the first time at TGS, so we'll be sure to get our hands all over it.

Thanks Joystiq!