source: (gamesradar.com)

Final Fantasy XIII, one of the most highly anticipated releases on the current-generation of videogames consoles, has now officially launched in Japan. Retail sales across Japan generally begun at 12am GMT today, December 17th 2009, and demand is expected to be unsurprisingly high. With stock shipped to retailers nationwide days before the event, including limited edition PlayStation 3 console bundles, and an extraordinary amount of press coverage and associated merchandise lining the shelves, the launch of the latest title in the celebrated bloodline of Final Fantasy series is all but a guaranteed success.