Pre-order the Xbox 360

by Peter Rojas { Aug 23rd 2005 at 6:24PM }

EBGames.com is taking pre-orders for the Xbox 360, and just like when the PSP came out they're doing their best to gouge all the bleeding edge gamers who want/need to have the console first by forcing you to purchase either a $700 "Ultimate Bundle" that comes with four games and a ton of accessories or a $600 "Core Bundle" which comes with the same four games but fewer accessories. Pre-ordering either the basic $299 console or even the $399 bundle simply isn't an option, at least not at the moment, though it remains to be seen what pre-order options other retailers end up offering.

[Thanks, A.J.]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

emanuel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

that's sick 700 for a bundle imagen the ps3 bundle 1000 for 3 games and the sistem!!

Zachary @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

What a scam! That is exactly why I do not pre-order.

Tim UF @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Yeah... just like the company making the system, the companies selling it are out to ra/pe their most loyal customer base.

This is another reason i'm waiting a while to get a 360, no games i'm interested in, and no way im spending more than i absolutely have to in order to get the new console (i will get the HD version though, eventually, as in like 2007 for the H3 launch)

jayarr_the_motherfcuking_superstar @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

would be helpful if we knew what games are available at release!

Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

No, it's a good deal...look:

4 games at $60 + the Xbox 360 at $400 = $640

But, you also get:

- An Extra Wireless Controller
- Play & Charge Kit (for extra controller)
- Rechargeable Battery Pack (for included controller)

So, the price is fair according to Microsoft's pricing.

Obviously, I only care PDZ and I don't want the 3 other games...so I won't get it.

startled @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

OMFG what am I going to do!?

Oh, that's right-- exercise some basic self-restraint and not buy the overpriced bundle.

For all the hype, XBoxes and PS2s were quite easy to get standalone very shortly after launch, and certainly well before any games worth buying came out.

remedy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Yes and also you get the XBox 360 Live Service for free and a Gold 30 day version as well. Personally the Ultimate Bundle for 699 is a deal considering individually all the components add up to about 800 bucks or more

Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Wow! XBOX live free! The PS2 has had free online play from the start, so it's nothing big.

Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Hey, it also means Xbox 360 comes out between the 1st of November and the 15th of November...

Ta da!

The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

EBGAMES ONLINE and GAMESTOP ONLINE are out of their FREAKING MINDS. I went to my local EBgames and pre-ordered my X360-Premium. It is paid in full $399.00 plus the TAX.

homer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

it really doesn't matter how great a deal one of those bundles may be, $600 for a game system and a few games is outrageous. how do you know if the games are even any good? preordering seems to be for those with more money than brains.

wahaaj @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

yo. Game UK are doing a xbox360 offer with 5 games and accesorys for �279.99. check it out

Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

"Wow! XBOX live free! The PS2 has had free online play from the start, so it's nothing big."

Have you used XBOX Live? Comparing that to PS2's "service" is laughable. Secondly, when you say "from the start" I have to assume you mean from the start when they finally came out with a broadband adapter? PS2 is like the service you get at McDonalds and LIVE is more like the service you would get at a high end restaurant. Yeah both of them will get you food but the experience is totally different. Some people are happy with McD every day, some people don't mind paying a bit extra to be better taken care of.

Mitochondria @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

But it also comes with the harddrive which is like $99 so I guess thats not too bad.

Russ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Whatever happened to the whole 'maybe we'll put HD-DVD in the 360' thing. I know it wasn't supposed to be ready at launch but are they still planing on it eventually?

Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

I preordered the original Xbox and chose three games I actually wanted but then two of those games weren't actually available at launch. I ended up with two games I didn't want and I had to stand in line for three hours to get it. It was a waste of time and money and I felt like a total sucker afterwards. If nobody allows preorders of just the console itself then I'm not preordering. With no Halo 3 at launch I just don't see how ending up with three potentially crap launch games is any sort of value.

pathfinda @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

?huh?

I preordered my xbox 360 on 07/10 (put 50 bucks down, got the receipt) and I will get the 399 system, no games included. Called the past weeked to confirmed which system I could get.

Advice: order it from a store!!

MILES @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Oh and BTW first party games are supposed to be $50, Other games will be $60.

Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Wow! XBOX live free! The PS2 has had free online play from the start, so it's nothing big.

Desert @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

HAHA I love how they keep RAISING the price of games when they are already overpriced! $20 is all they're worth to me.

Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

err,hard drive IS included in the $399 system.

Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Desert... how are they only worth $20?

For comparison, moves are $20. You may watch a movie a few times a year, maybe once a month at the most if it's a really freaking good movie.

A good game you'll play every day for months on end. How is that experience worth the same amount?

People don't seem to understand inflation either. Games can't stay $50 forever.

$700 for the system with only 2 games that I want seems like a waste. They should have at least allowed you to pick the games you want... I don't see how they make money on this either. They could have just sold it all seperate at higher prices. Whatever.

VELLAR @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

the price is up there, but not surprising. it would be nice if you can pick the 4 games, and hopefully there are good games at launch.

Smaug @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

This is a ripoff, if they let you select the games that came with the bundle then it would be a better deal... Hell, even then it would still suck, I doubt the average consumer is going to be coughing up $700 up front for a gaming system. Makes me wonder how badly we're going to be screwed when the Playstation 3 comes up for preorder. Oh well, I just preordered my 360 at a brick and morter Ebgames and I wasn't stuck with some crappy bundle.

burninhell @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

The little image of the Core Bundle on the EB site is the first time I've seen a pic of the 360 without the hard drive attached...does anyone know of any other, or bigger, shots of the console sans HD?

Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

That's gonna be a pain in the rear to resell on eBay.

Smith @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Can anyone post a link to the page on EBGames that details these pre-order deals? The main XBox 360 page still says "Get advance notice on online Xbox 360 pre-order opportunities!" with a box to enter your email address...

whybuyonline @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Or you can just pre-order the normal $399 360 at your local Electronics Boutique. Why wait for shipping anyways? I've already talked to the the local manager in town and was advised they will have a midnight launch on 11/13/05, the new expected release date (11/14).

Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

click "read"

b555723 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

I think I might just wait until I can send my wife to the mall and have her walk in and pick me up a 360. I dont really fancy having to fight off the fan-boys for the thing. Besides I dont see them being OOS soon after launch.

Arizona Glover
http://paulsbaker.blogspot.com/

h0mi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Is there a list of games expected to be out in the first week/month/season or so? And has it been confirmed that it will/not be backwards compatible? I know KOTOR3 is nowhere to be seen so it looks like I'll be buying an Xbox later next year.

This bundle sucks IMO because those games look very uninteresting to me. I got a ps2 for Xmas in 2003 with the network adapter & Crash Bandicoot & Splashdown remained unopened until this weekend. The PS2 online service seems years behind Xbox live but admittedly, there's probably going to be more activity in Republic Commando or Halo 2 than "ATV challenge".

AceMilo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Got this in the ebgames newsletter, already preordered it thru them, and couldn't be happier. I ordered my original xbox from them as well. If you are a hardcore gamer, this is great, otherwise I'd wait until after xmas and just buy the system by itself.

AareDub @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

The systems have been available for preorder at the stores since the announcement at E3. You CAN order just the system, no extra games.

Chill!

Tennisman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

BTW, you can go to a regular EBGames brick and morter store and pre-order just the system Core or Premium without the bundles. I put down $432 on mine to cover tax etc for the Premium and just called to make sure I didn't also have to pay extra for a bundle. He said they are only taking pre-orders for the units.

Chris Kalan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

#10 - I paid for my PSP in advance, and in full, and they said I might still not get one. Also, just because you pay in full for an XBOX360, doesn't mean you will get it on launch day. It is not illegal to do this either, because you can choose to upgrade, or get a hassle free refund.

Petrica @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

I love how they keep RAISING the price of games when they are already overpriced. $700 for the system with only 2 games that I want seems like a waste.

Virtuous @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

I definitely won't buy an Xbox 360 anytime close to launch. EB in particular is known for gouging gamers. EB had the highest retail prices for titles when the PS/2 and Xbox were released and for many months thereafter. After Gamestop and EB merge I hope all EB stores close and all EB employees laid off without severence pay.

purple_marker @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Limit 1 per customer.
Darn it! I was going to buy 50.

sprintnasty @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Adam your retarded, i agree with Desert...games should only cost $20. So what if you only watch a movie a few times and you pick a game up everyday. How much money do they spend making a movie...50, 100, 200 million. Not even close to what it costs to make a game...so why are they so expensive? you said "People don't seem to understand inflation either. Games can't stay $50 forever". Then neither can movies..why are they still around $20...if I had to pay $40 for a dvd id probably shit myself.

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

they are overpricing by about a 100 bucks on each bundle... that's a fucking ripoff.

base premium system: $400.

4 games: $200-$240.

where's my other $60-$100 going??

AcrylicGuitar @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

@ Rare Hare:

Notice, they're also including an extra wireless controller.

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

FOR $100??

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

and anyway, no they didn't.

don't just look at the picture read the list.. it only says one wireless controller.

so your point isn't valid.

Mudboggr @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

It isn't good or bad. It's just business. It's smart business for them to lock as much of the hardcore faithful XBox zealots/fanboy's cash into their coffers as possible, as soon as possible. You cannot rape the willing, it is said, and hardcore Xbox fanboys are certainly willing. So why wouldn't they want to squeeze as much as they can? Microsoft already got them to accept paying $100 more than they expected for basic features, (hell, Microsoft fanboys were in here DEFENDING the $400 package and saying it sounded like a good deal,) so now it is time for the retailers to get their slice of the fanboy money pie.

js @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

You guys are missing the point. You are paying for the system AND games that are not close to completion. Nobody even have reviews of the games, how do you know if you like them or not? It's just wasting $$$ in my opinion.

heavyness @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

this is only if you order it online [its says EBgames.com]. i just called my EB and they said nothing about it.

alek @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

no, rare hare, you are wrong.

it does include a total of 2 wireless controllers.

LU @ Dec 18th 2005 9:51PM

Seriously, $700 is still cheaper than buying a gaming PC. And in this case you are getting 4 games (although if they don't let you pick which ones thats dumb considering we haven't even seen a playable demo) that are going to work with the system without having to worry about graphics card upgrades or how much RAM you have.
Ok, and for everyone who's complaining about the price of games...yes if they want $59.99 its pricey. Remember though, price is a reflection of the market demand - if the Xbox 360 doesn't sell well, then the price will go down. Simple supply and demand. If the majority of gamers think its too high, then they won't pay for it and Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, have to rethink their pricepoints. And the arguement about "games should only cost this much" is pointless. Everyone knows they lose a lot of money on the hardware, so if they aren't making profit off of the software, how are they going to pay for future games? How do you pay engineers, designers, equipment, etc, if you don't make any profit from your products? Any one of us would want to make as much as possible off a product we worked on. Nobody makes games for community enrichment. They make games to make money. Period.

PS-"bundles" like this that are sold are done because retailers get rebates and incentives. It's the same thing as a car dealership. You move X amount of product for us and we'll give you Y amount of dollars back. That's why they make you do these ridiculous bundles.