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Xbox And Gamecube's New Hardware Bundles?

Posted by simoniker on from the shiny-happy-pack-ins dept.

Thanks to the Gaming-Age forum regulars for pointing to info on the EB Games site showing Microsoft's Xbox hardware bundle for Christmas, consisting of the online-friendly Star Wars: Clone Wars, Tetris Worlds, and 2 free months of Xbox Live, priced at $179. Meanwhile, GameInformer.com has a rumor (via unconfirmed sources) of a Zelda-related GameCube hardware bundle this Xmas, including "...a bonus disc that will include the following Zelda games and goodies: Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Zelda Documentary." While this GameCube bundle is still a rumor, new Player's Choice budget titles from Nintendo have been officially confirmed, including (from September 25th) Metroid Prime, Animal Crossing, and Super Mario Sunshine for $29.99, and Star Fox Adventures, Pikmin, and Luigi's Mansion for $19.99.

2 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. Desperation by Drakon · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Have either of the other consoles gotten close to what the PS2 is still selling at? I look at this as an act of desperation to be profitable before 2004 numbers roll in.
    See what Gord had to say when the GC was released (link on the page for Xbox stuff)
    I honestly don't see Sony losing it's grip on this market. Especially since the PS3 is promised to play PS2/PSX games.

    --
    Buttsex.
  2. Milking Halo for all it's worth....still by unclethursday · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Notice that the bundle for the Xbox has Tetris Worlds (MSRP $20, also included in new Xbox Live kits), and Star Wars: Clone Wars (Not sure of the MSRP on that title).

    So far, North America is the biggest territory in which Halo hasn't been bundled, ever.

    Halo has been bundled, and still is bundled AFAIK, in Australia since shortly after the Xbox launch in that territory, and the Xbox sees healthy sales in Australia.

    Last Chrstmas there was a bundle option in Europe that included not only the Sega GT 2002/JSRF disk, but also Splinter Cell (which had just been released) and Halo. This boosted sales in Europe as well.

    Yet, even though it is the best selling Xbox game ever, Halo isn't bundled in North America (which would increase sales of the Xbox, even now), nor is Halo part of the 'Platinum Hits' titles.

    Still, I suppose when you only have one consitently selling title on your console, you don't lower the price on it; but Microsoft could see more sales by putting Halo in the 'Platinum Hits' line, or by bundling it with the console.

    2 years at $50 is a bit much. But, I suppose by keeping it at $50, it does lower the operational losses on the Xbox division (it does sell pretty consitently, still). Now, if people would only wake up and see that while Halo is a great game, it isn't worth $50 anymore....

    Thursdae