Wal-Mart has been known for offering
hardware pre-orders in the past, but it's generally left
extensive (and expensive) bundles to the likes of GameStop
and EB. Well, that tradition's no more, though this bundle approach is definitely being taken the Wal-Mart Way. On
Wal-Mart's web site, you can currently find
"3" bundles offered for
Xbox 360 pre-orders, with the first two options pointing to duplicate links for an
Xbox 360 Live Bundle costing $579.16, while the last one points to an
Xbox 360 Game Bundle that costs virtually the same thing (that is, $579.06), as you're basically swapping a Live
subscription for a game. (You'll find just these two options offered on
Wal-Mart's
Xbox 360 Hardware page.) Perhaps one of these Live Bundles was originally tagged as the $620 one with the Xbox 360
Premium System that GameSpot originally spotted for its article (linked
here and below)?
At any rate, read on for further details of each bundle offered, but I do appreciate actually being given the option
of which games will go in my bundle (with that added $10 surcharge for any third-party games, as first-party titles go
for $49.99). It would be unfortunate, however, if Wal-Mart decided not to bundle Premium Systems (read: those with hard
drives) on its well-trafficked web site or (God forbid) its stores. (Or would it invigorate the Core System market?
Analysts oughtta have a field day with this one.)
[UPDATE: Well, it looks like the fabled $619.32
"Xbox 360 Pro Bundle" exists after all.
(Thanks, kuyu!) Why Wal-Mart would force you to search for that exact string, however, rather than include the Premium
bundle on the regular 360 hardware page, is beyond me. Not including your products in an easily navigable, drill-down
site map is an example of broken usability testing as well as simply bad web design. Sheesh. Okay, rant over. I guess
there goes my anti-Core theory, too. Nice. Choice is good? ...Maybe a little too good: Wal-Mart's run out of
pre-order stock online!
Thanks, Danger Dan.]
Reader Comments (25)
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
So much for hoping nobody would buy the core unit bundles.
Guess the game developers' choice of which "platform" to support just became easy. Premium unit owners are gonna get hosed.
Guess the game developers' choice of which "platform" to support just became easy. Premium unit owners are gonna get hosed.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
no parent will get the right one for there kid, first there are two just from MS...
last i checked EBgames offered 3 diffrent bundles and GameStop Offered 5, which goes all the way to $1,999, now walmart is offering Bundles... your joking, the kids are going to be mad because they did not get the right one, also the game, not a single game has been announced for the launch day, they have allready pushed back the launch of the 360 because games are not ready, so all the promised games in the bundle may be switched out for other ones if the game is not ready for launch...
last i checked EBgames offered 3 diffrent bundles and GameStop Offered 5, which goes all the way to $1,999, now walmart is offering Bundles... your joking, the kids are going to be mad because they did not get the right one, also the game, not a single game has been announced for the launch day, they have allready pushed back the launch of the 360 because games are not ready, so all the promised games in the bundle may be switched out for other ones if the game is not ready for launch...
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
If you look at the preorder page for the xbox 360. The dropdown menu for the games has halo 3 on it. Does this mean it will be a possible launch or launch window title. I sure as hell hope so!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Well, Michael, I guess I should have noted those games that surely wouldn't make even the launch "window," and Halo 3 would most likely fit in that category. (Halo 3's probably being saved to counter the launch of the PS2, but you never know, right? =) Wal-Mart would probably either force you to choose/take a substitute for those titles, or ship them to you "a bit later" when they're done. That's my guess.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
HAH! I preordered the Premium Bundle this morning from WalMart.com. Weird how the site has changed. Oh well, I've got a confirmation email and order number, plus the digital receipt.
I'm guessing they already sold the premiums. It was called the Xbox 360 "Pro Bundle."
I got the premium system, 1 year of Live gold, extra wireless controller, play and charge kit, PDZ, PGR3, and overnight express shipping. With tax it was $693.58.
I'm guessing they already sold the premiums. It was called the Xbox 360 "Pro Bundle."
I got the premium system, 1 year of Live gold, extra wireless controller, play and charge kit, PDZ, PGR3, and overnight express shipping. With tax it was $693.58.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
It does exist, and here's proof!!!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=4171925
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=4171925
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Did you miss a better deal?
http://www.cyberlinx.us/page01/00/12.html
http://www.cyberlinx.us/page01/00/12.html
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
And even a better deal?
http://www.collinsent.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14
http://www.collinsent.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Oh, did I say you got owned?
http://www.jjgaming.com/software/product_info.php?products_id=2609
http://www.jjgaming.com/software/product_info.php?products_id=2609
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Well, Dralt, there is a certain price to pay for visiting an established web storefront of a retail giant, but in this case, I don't believe that price is great enough to justify ordering from slightly shady sites:
cyberlinx.us deal - save maybe $20 total?
collinsent deal - um, spend $459 for a $399 system? Confusing...
jjgaming deal - save maybe 10 bucks?
If the difference is that small, you might as well buy a bundle or HDD system from a big-box retailer and find sales or coupons for the extra accessories and games. Just my take on things, though.
cyberlinx.us deal - save maybe $20 total?
collinsent deal - um, spend $459 for a $399 system? Confusing...
jjgaming deal - save maybe 10 bucks?
If the difference is that small, you might as well buy a bundle or HDD system from a big-box retailer and find sales or coupons for the extra accessories and games. Just my take on things, though.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Dan, I totally agree with you. If they let you pick the games you really want, pay extra to the big retailer.
Those EB bundles are not interesting to me, though, because I don't want Dead or Alive 4, Kameo: Elements of Power or Project Gotham Racing 3.
Those EB bundles are not interesting to me, though, because I don't want Dead or Alive 4, Kameo: Elements of Power or Project Gotham Racing 3.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Yeah, Kameo's not on my radar, either, but I could go for a less-than-full-price copy of DOA4 and/or PGR3. Man, if I actually buy at launch, it's going to really kill me (and my bank account)! Ah-yee...
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
THANK GOD - FINALLY a reasonable bundle. I had held out ordering from EB/Gamestop cause I didn't wanna drop at least $750 after taxes & shipping on an XBOX 360 and not even get to pick out the games I wanted. Hopefully Walmart has a good stock of systems so people don't have to sell their souls and buy an insanely expensive bundle. Yes, I know I could wait till launch day to buy just a system but it sounds like the 360 might be released the day after Thanksgiving...yikes...have fun in line. I'm curious to see what kind of bundles Amazon eventually puts out.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Don't forget the Walmart preorder is cancellable anytime until it ships. I ordered one this morning, if Amazon do come out with a better deal I'll just switch. But I like being first in line at Walmart, makes it more likely I'll get it on release day.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
I'm trying to wander around Wal-Mart very slow site tonight and it seems that the bundles are gone for the time being. I was going to try and order a bundle using my wife's employee discount but all the links to the bundles appear to be worthless now.
I was willing to wait in line to get my 360 but if they are really releasing the system on Black Friday I'm just going to order the damn thing online.
I was willing to wait in line to get my 360 but if they are really releasing the system on Black Friday I'm just going to order the damn thing online.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Old news. Play.Com in the UK has had this on for a couple days now as well - I didn't realise it was new news.
If you go to play.com and navigate to games, then Xbox 360 they've got a whole bunch of stuff. The two console packages they're offering are Xbox360 Console for £279.99 and Xbox360 Core Console for £207.99 (both with delivery included) Release date 29/11/2005.
They've got a list of all the peripherals/accessories as well, i'll list a couple:
Official XBox 360 Play & Charge Kit : £12.99
Official XBox 360 Wireless Controller : £29.99
Official XBox 360 Wired Controller : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Wireless Adaptor : £54.99
Official XBox 360 VGA AV Cable : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Advanced AV Pack : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Memory Unit (64MB) : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack : £9.99
Official XBox 360 Universal Media Remote : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Component HD AV Cable : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Headset-Voice Communicator : £12.99
Official XBox 360 Hard Drive (20GB) : £65.99
All the Xbox360 games are on offer for £39.99 on preorder.
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?pa=sbl&pa=search&searchtype=X360&searchstring=console&page=search&Go.x=29&Go.y=6
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=comingsoon&r=X360&title=0&id=0&adudisc=y&who=&linkBack=&pa=rcs&ob=date&cpage=1
*disclaimer:
No, I dont work for play.com - just thought you might be interested.
If you go to play.com and navigate to games, then Xbox 360 they've got a whole bunch of stuff. The two console packages they're offering are Xbox360 Console for £279.99 and Xbox360 Core Console for £207.99 (both with delivery included) Release date 29/11/2005.
They've got a list of all the peripherals/accessories as well, i'll list a couple:
Official XBox 360 Play & Charge Kit : £12.99
Official XBox 360 Wireless Controller : £29.99
Official XBox 360 Wired Controller : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Wireless Adaptor : £54.99
Official XBox 360 VGA AV Cable : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Advanced AV Pack : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Memory Unit (64MB) : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack : £9.99
Official XBox 360 Universal Media Remote : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Component HD AV Cable : £17.99
Official XBox 360 Headset-Voice Communicator : £12.99
Official XBox 360 Hard Drive (20GB) : £65.99
All the Xbox360 games are on offer for £39.99 on preorder.
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?pa=sbl&pa=search&searchtype=X360&searchstring=console&page=search&Go.x=29&Go.y=6
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=comingsoon&r=X360&title=0&id=0&adudisc=y&who=&linkBack=&pa=rcs&ob=date&cpage=1
*disclaimer:
No, I dont work for play.com - just thought you might be interested.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
It looks like the Walmart preorder page has been shut down?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=233481&redirect_query=xbox+360
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=233481&redirect_query=xbox+360
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Dylan, it is major news in America to have such a huge retailer like Wal-Mart start to offer bundles for a major console like the 360, and even more so because they're actually giving consumers a choice as to what games they want (unlike EB and GameStop, our traditional purveyors of forced bundling).
Danger Dan, you are correct about Wal-Mart running out of its (initial?) pre-order run. I guess with all the people putting down orders, with the understanding that they can cancel if they find a better deal elsewhere (cough, Adam =), Wal-Mart's supply was bound to run out sooner or later. I'll update the main post. Thanks, man.
Danger Dan, you are correct about Wal-Mart running out of its (initial?) pre-order run. I guess with all the people putting down orders, with the understanding that they can cancel if they find a better deal elsewhere (cough, Adam =), Wal-Mart's supply was bound to run out sooner or later. I'll update the main post. Thanks, man.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Can't get to the linked bundle pages. Dang.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
I just wanted to speak my mind on this topic. I don't have the money to drop $700 on a 360 either, I noticed that somebody was talking about the smaller companies like jjgaming. I just wanted to say I have purchased about 30 times from jjgaming without any kind of problem. They have always fulfilled the order quick and been reasonably priced. I don't know about cyberlinks but I will shop at jjgaming anytime.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
The following (pricing) details come from my own purchase confirmation email from Walmart.com Xbox 360 pre-order page (when it was opened on 1 Sep.). Their site was functional for about 24hrs (or less) before preorders were shut down. I placed my order before noon on 1 Sep. I thought it was interesting that they charged me $49.92 for the "Microsoft Live 12 month Gold Card Xbox 360". Other news reports have it going for $60.
Xbox 360 Premium System
1 $399.92
Pick A Game
(Perfect Dark Zero Tin Box Xbox 360)
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $59.82
Pick A Game
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat Xbox 360)
1 $59.82
Microsoft Wireless Controller Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $49.92
Microsoft Play & Charge Kit Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $19.92
Microsoft Live 12 month Gold Card Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $49.92
Order Summary
Order Date: 01 SEP 2005 11:xx AM
Order Number:
Subtotal: $ 639.32
Shipping: $ 16.00
Tax: $ 45.21
Order Total: $ 700.53
Xbox 360 Premium System
1 $399.92
Pick A Game
(Perfect Dark Zero Tin Box Xbox 360)
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $59.82
Pick A Game
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat Xbox 360)
1 $59.82
Microsoft Wireless Controller Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $49.92
Microsoft Play & Charge Kit Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $19.92
Microsoft Live 12 month Gold Card Xbox 360
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05 1 $49.92
Order Summary
Order Date: 01 SEP 2005 11:xx AM
Order Number:
Subtotal: $ 639.32
Shipping: $ 16.00
Tax: $ 45.21
Order Total: $ 700.53
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Also worthy of note is Walmart's statement as to when the order will arrive. The Premium System and one of the games I was allowed to choose... (Battlefield 2) has no proposed arrival date. The rest of the items listed state:
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05
Will arrive between Thursday, 11/17/05, and Wednesday, 11/23/05
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
Why don't these gaming sites ever check XBOX.com?In the XBOX 360 forum there,there's an official faq.It specifically says that Live gold will remain at the same price.I'm flabbergasted that even IGN doesn't seem to know,as it's been there for weeks.
I think the price should drop,considering that the only exclusive for Gold subscribbers is online multiplayer.The rest is free.
So,I don't HAVE to get a bundle?Good.I just want the standard 360(premium),maybe ONE game, and a VGA cable.I'll get games,when I get the money.I'll just continue playing XBOX games until then.
I think the price should drop,considering that the only exclusive for Gold subscribbers is online multiplayer.The rest is free.
So,I don't HAVE to get a bundle?Good.I just want the standard 360(premium),maybe ONE game, and a VGA cable.I'll get games,when I get the money.I'll just continue playing XBOX games until then.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
though i would clear up our price since were mentioned here. $399 is the base price for the system but non chain stores like mine are not allowed steep discounts. I would defintally give better prices if i could.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM (Unverified) said
I do have to agree with Jonathan, everyone thinks that there is quite a bit of markup in the consoles themselves. That is very just wrong. The original Xbox console only allowed for a $5.00 markup upon release. There is no way to mark these items up and still remain competetive with the pricing.
