FFXIII 360 heads to Japan, new content

Square Enix has confirmed that Japanese Xbox 360 owners will get to play Final Fantasy XIII after all, with the release of a special edition at the end of this year.

At a Microsoft press conference covered by Andriasang (via VG247), Final Fantasy XIII Ultimate Hits International Edition was given a 16th December release date and a budget price of 4980 Yen by Squenix big-wigs Shinji Hashimoto and Yoshinori Kitase.

This new version of FFXIII will have an Easy Mode, come with a book, and most importantly feature content that was cut from the original version of FFXIII. It's known as Episode I and will be a post-game quest.

It also has the English voice-acting and Leona Lewis' theme-tune warbling from the Western version of the game.

Since this was a Microsoft event, there was no discussion of a PS3 version of Ultimate Hits International Edition, but we wouldn't be surprised if Square Enix had plans for one.

We've asked Square Enix if there are any plans to bring the Episode I content to the West, either as DLC or with a Western release of the Ultimate Hits version of FFXIII. We'll let you know as and when we hear anything.

FFXIII was originally said to be exclusive to the PS3 in Japan, but Achievement leaks a couple of months ago suggested the position would be reversed.

Famitsu and Dengeki magazines also reported the 360 version was on the way before Microsoft's conference.