First Xbox 360 in Ireland, again…

GameStop, Henry St, this Friday

This is the second time we’re received information of ‘the first Xbox 360 in Ireland’,
this time it’s playable and in public. An ‘Xbox 360 demo kiosk’ will be
available to demo from 12 noon this Friday in GameStop on Henry Street
in Dublin, and their stores nationwide in the following weeks.

The first few to try the new console, while been distracted by
dancers and a DJ, will get 360 related “goodes”. At the time of
publication we have not been told what games, if any, will be on show.
[UPDATE: the games on show are said to include Perfect Dark Zero,
Kameo, and Call of Duty 2]

“The next generation of gaming is here and we are really excited
that GameStop is the first stop for the Xbox 360 kiosk in Ireland”,
commented Michael Finucane, Gamestop’s Commercial Director.

Microsoft’s second Xbox is set for release on December 2, the
console comes in a standard package ‘Xbox 360′ and the cut-down Xbox
360 ‘Core System’.

The standard console, with a hard drive and wireless controller, is
priced (EPR) at 409.99 euro or £279.99 UKP. While the ‘Core’ package
is set at 309.99 euro, or £209.99 UKP – apparently it will not be able
to play any original Xbox games without an upgrade. Microsoft has side
that the 10 euro extra consumers in the republic are charged compared
to the majority of the euro zone is down to vat reasons, but there is
inconsistencies in this reason.

Meanwhile, in Japan, Microsoft has somewhat gone into the restaurant business (one dessert pictured, right), with the ‘Xbox 360 Lounge‘ in Tokyo.  According to the games blog, Kotaku,
the lounge features a “200-inch big screen TV, a 360 “Touch and Trial
Corner,” a lifestyle lounge, a faceplate gallery with celeb, and
designer-name plates, Xbox goods, free internet, a cafe and two VIP
rooms”.

How Games Toaster reported the run-up to launch so-far…

• Next Xbox to premiere on MTV (April 11, 2005)
• Xbox 360 images? (April 23, 2005)
• Xbox 360 officially revealed last night (May 13, 2005)
• First Xbox 360 in Ireland? (July 22, 2005)
• Xbox 360 – euro, UK, US pricing confirmed (Aug 17, 2005)
• Ireland’s 360 price difference due to VAT rate – Microsoft (Aug 21, 2005)
• 360 – 22/11 N. America, 2/12 Europe (Sep 15, 2005)
• Xbox 360: Higher price in Ireland – inconsistencies in Microsoft’s VAT reason  (Sep 15, 2005)