[Xbox 360] 黒歴史の始まり？

So I've finally managed to put down Neptune V for the time being...

My first agenda is getting the now hopelessly outdated "My Precious" section up to speed. After all, it won't be exclusively about handhelds anymore...

Anyway, one of the systems I never thought I'd get to own is the Xbox 360, known amongst the paltry Japanese folks who have them as "hako" (whether the context is affecionate or sarcastic is anyone's guess). It's king in the good ol' US of A despite being backwards in so many different aspects, but it's reception is mixed elsewhere.

Naturally, in keeping with my usual theme, this system is NTSC-J, pure Japan region. It wasn't hard to obtain given the dismal sales numbers in said area and most importantly, The price I got it for was a practical steal.

So if you care enough to read about the history, hit the break link. Otherwise, just feel free to drool over Kobato.

My primary reason for getting it is none other than Boost On's Love Tore series. Gachiman, one of my watchlisted users in Nico Nico Douga got advanced copies of the game and churned out a few commentary play vids on it (even dragging his wife along with funky results).

That pretty much sealed the deal. That guy not only has a whacked sense of humor, but also good taste in games (that's why I watchlisted him).

As of this writing, I've already obtained all three limited edition copies of said game, "Sweet", "Mint" and "Bitter" versions. Each comes with a towel sporting a group shot of the four girls from every version in their swimsuits, all designed by the awesome Kasukabe Akira, who's tops among my favorite galge artists.

So what's the game about?

You play a dude who's become the de facto president of the school's floundering (and practically unmanned) dance club. Despite being a bit on flat-footed side, his childhood friend nonetheless tasks him to seek out members and revive said club, which has a history of developing top class and charming performers.

Okay, so the story isn't exactly award-winning material. But who cares? The name of the game is getting yourself in the screen dancing/exercising/playing around with a pretty 2D girl. What's not to love? Despite being a royal pain to calibrate (I've struggled many times to get that damned  smiley card in the right place), the Kinect sensor becomes the player's gateway to the Love Tore world.

It's not virtual reality, but it's a step in the right direction towards every hardcore otaku's dream.

One thing to note about the 360 (being a US-made system and all) is that aside from this series, there aren't that many good Japanese titles in it's library. Notewothy ones mainly consist of major franchises (which have infinitely better and easily accessible PS3 ports), galges (particularly 5pb titles) and Cave Shooters (not really my hottest genre, but I've tried and appreciated quite a few).

As far as my box's repertoire goes, it boils down to 7 DVD-ROMs and 3 DL titles. A paltry number as it were, but the main thing is that they're all titles that I actually enjoy. That's the key point of gaming after all...