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XBox 360 Bundles Top $700
Gamespot is reporting that, with some idea of the skus that will be available for the Xbox 360 when it launches, game retailers are now prepping incredibly expensive console bundles for the first of the next-gen systems. From the article: "...when hot new gaming systems come out, supply is short, and demand is often so high that retailers can elect to sell the units only as parts of bundles that include accessories and games of the retailer's choosing. EBgames.com unveiled its holiday offerings today, and the prices may make some gamers feel as though they're getting 'scrooged.' Like Microsoft, EB Games is offering two bundles, one for gamer's interested in the Core System and one for gamers eyeing the premium package. The Xbox 360 Core Bundle is priced at $599.93, and it includes everything in the standard package, plus an extra wired controller, a 64MB memory unit, and four games: Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Kameo: Elements of Power. Using Microsoft's announced pricing for peripherals and an assumed $59.99 price point for Xbox 360 games, the package unbundled would come to $618.94. "
SKU - Stock Keeping Unit. It's what stores like EB use to reorder their merchandise internally. The standalone X-Box 360 will have one SKU, where the bundle will probably have another. It's the x-digit number located below the price on the EB pricetag. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_Keeping_Unit
...for the PSP, didn't it?
Consumers aren't going to bite on this. There's a limit to what people will accept. Forced bundles worked for the PS2 but that's really the only time they've worked, and everybody knows now that if you just wait 5 minutes there will be plenty of bare systems around to buy if that's what you want.
I have no doubt - none - that you'll be able to walk into a store on launch day, plunk down $300 or $400, and walk out with nothing but an Xbox 360 box if that's all you want. That's the way it was on PSP and DS launch day, and MS is saying they'll have a million Xbox 360's on sale at that system's launch. Save your money - don't preorder. Don't be a sucker. Show these idiots that forced bundles don't work anymore.
I see another video game crash coming. I certainly won't be buying any of the Next Big Systems, and I don't think I'm the only one.
That's not a microsoft decision. That's a decision of the retailers trying to milk the game-buying public for all they are worth. EB seems to repeatedly be the worst in this regard, which is ironic considering they're theoretically trying to stop people from just buying their system at Target.
The X360 itself is only 400 dollars, which seems within the realm of what the PS2 and PS1 launched at. Don't worry, that price will come down soon. I wouldn't be surprised if it fell 50 - 100 dollars in it's first year out.
The ______ Agenda
Yes, but said PC wouldn't look pretty under the TV. Only since living with my significantly better half have I realised how important that feature is.
If I've learn't one thing over the last few years: wireless controllers were invented for men who live with women. Women hate wires. They see them as mess. Mess means grief. Its worth paying more for less grief - even if it means there is a little bit of lag, and extra batteries to buy.
Consoles tend to be quieter than PCs. Again this is important. If said better half is in the room whilst you're playing (a rarity) all they can hear is the fan, even if you've got the 5.1 turned up to 11.
Consoles have near instant on. This is important because a good women demands a lot of attention, and doesn't like to think that her precious 'you and me' time is shared between her and a 'stupid box in the corner'. You need to be able to grab every moment you can when and if you can, instant on is important for this.
Consoles can be bought as presents. If you live on a budget, and the better half wants to splash out on you don't ask her to buy you a new PC. She'll get it wrong. Ask her to buy you a XBox 360 and 9/10 she'll get it right and everyone is happy.
Scared of flying, pointy things snce 1979!
Agree 100%. I have the following systems:
CD32
Jaguar
N64
Saturn
Playstation 1
Dreamcast
PS2
Gamecube
Of those, the only one I didn't buy at launch was the Gamecube. I have no plans on getting a 360, but if they do this same thing with the PS3, I'll have to wait until it's available unbundled. I don't see the logic of throwing FOUR games into a bundle. Well, I see the greed logic behind it, but not the rational logic behind it. If there are supposed to be up to 40 games available at launch, shouldn't they at least make it four games of your choice? Better yet, why not ONE game of your choice? $700.00 is just too much to drop on a game system at one time. I think Little Timmy might have to play his X-Box 1 for a while longer.
Game Stop now has a $1,199.83 bundle available. And theirs start at $799. Stop the insanity.