Japanese gamers get all the cool stuff!

[lionsfan]

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/463/463004p1.html

Limited Ed. Xbox Want

Xbox turns Kasumi-chan Blue and Pure White Limited.

January 14, 2004 - Microsoft has announced two new limited edition Xbox models for Japan.

First up is Pure White Limited, a white-colored Xbox unit being made in celebration of the system's two year Japanese anniversary. The unit will sell for the price of 19800 yen and will come bunled with a white controller, the DVD playback kit, an Xbox Live starter kit and the voice communicator. Those who get it will be able to personalize it with a 20 character message. Only 1000 units will be produced, with reservations begin on 1/30 at Xbox.jp (http://www.xbox.com/jp)

Next is Kasumi-chan Blue, a blue-colored Xbox being made for the release of Dead or Alive Online. This unit sells for 22800 yen and includes a blue controller, the DVD playback kit, Dead or Alive Online and twelve months of Xbox Live service. 5000 units will be produced and will be sold through regular retail channels starting 3/25.

Pictures of both Japan-only models can be seen on the image page linked below. They're beautiful!

http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage.jsp?channel_id=73&article_id=463004&adtag=network=ign&site=xbox&pagetype=medialist&page_title=Limited+Ed.+Xbox+Want

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/011204_xbox_blue_1.jpg

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/011204_xbox_white_2.jpg

[Sarge]

how the hell can I get one of these?

[lionsfan]

http://www.xbox.com/ja-JP/campaign/purewhitelimited/default.htm

I think that's where you go to reserve one of the white ones. I can't read Japanese, though... :D

[lionsfan]

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/476/476157p1.html

Another New Xbox
Clear, with a 20GB hard drive? Pics included.

January 28, 2004 - Rumors circulating around the 'Net say that Microsoft Europe is set to release a new limited edition, "Crystal" Xbox. The new, clear unit is said to be identical to the current model, except that it has a 20GB hard drive, double the current capacity. The photos in the media page show a new box package, the console, and the transparent white controllers.

Is it real? We contacted Microsoft for an official comment, but did not receive one in time for publish. What do we think? We here at IGN think it's completely bogus. The box package and controllers look decent, but at the same time have a fake quality about them. This could be because the pictures are artist's rendition, but we doubt it.
As for the console itself, the image is, um, clearly a photo of a see-through Xbox. That means it must be real, right? Not exactly. See, development Xbox consoles are the very same color - clear white. The image could easily be a Photoshopped image of a development kit.

The other telling piece of information is the 20GB hard drive. Considering that Microsoft loses so much money on the console as is, and the fact that most of us have yet to fill the current hard drive to capacity, there's no point in having an upgraded hard drive. None at all.

Ultimately, we don't really know if it's fake or real until we hear back from the big M itself. Take a look at the photos yourself and tell us what you think. Cheers.

Media Page (http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage.jsp?channel_id=73&article_id=476157&adtag=network=ign&site=xbox&pagetype=medialist&page_title=Another+New+Xbox)

[Dr. Love]

pfft. The people over at http://www.xbox-scene.com/ do cooler xbox mods.