Microsoft’s Xbox Japan team held a press conference earlier to announce that there are more games coming, and that these games may actually make Japanese gamers want to buy an Xbox 360. Some of the highlights of the conference include a new RPG by Tri-Ace, developers of the successful Star Ocean franchise, Namco featuring Pac-man and Galaga on Xbox Live Arcade, and Square Enix announced that a new entrant in the Silpheed franchise will be appearing on the Xbox 360. Japanese gamers can expect roughly 80 titles by year-end, including a new Gundam title.

Despite all of the announcements, there still doesn’t seem to be a compelling reason for the Japanese to embrace the Xbox 360. RPGs and shooters have been announced, but it doesn’t feel like the Japanese developers are really 100% committed to the Xbox 360’s success in Japan. Really, the only game studio that has been truly committed so far has been Team Ninja at Tecmo; all of the games listed today seem to be second tier titles. Tri-Ace announces an RPG, but it’s not a Star Ocean game. Square Enix announces a shooter, but still hasn’t brought their A-list properties to the Xbox 360. Namco’s huge announcement was classic games on Xbox Live; what platforms haven’t gotten a Pac-man or Galaga port yet? The proof will definitely lie within the quality and popularity of the titles released in the coming year.

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