Microsoft has 'no plans' to launch handheld games console

Xbox Japan president Yoshihiro Maruyama reiterated today that the company has no plans to launch a handheld gaming system.

During a Q&A session at the end of Microsoft's pre-TGS conference in Shibuya, Tokyo, Maruyama-san was asked about handheld gaming consoles and responded, "We have no plans to launch something of that nature."

Microsoft has previously denied that it plans to launch a games handheld, despite already offering a sub-notebook and handheld operating system, Windows CE, and even allowing users to hook up rival Sony's PlayStation Portable to its Xbox 360 to stream music and images.

The Sony PSP is currently doing excellent business in the UK following launch, while the Nintendo DS is already a multi-million seller and Nintendo's Game Boy Micro has been selling handsomely in Japan this week.