Chance of finding a 360 bundled remote: remote

According to GameSpot, the limited run of bonus Media Remote Controls bundled with the $399 hard-drive-included Xbox 360 is now over.

We reported back in December that the freebie's promotional period was soon coming to a close, but we weren't sure how soon MS was turning off the swag spigot. A GameStop employee has apparently confirmed, however, that "the bonus remotes have not been shipping with the Xbox 360 Premium Packs that have been trickling into their [er, his/her] store." Sorry, unfulfilled pre-order folk!

Of course, it may still be possible to find a system sitting on a neglected retail shelf somewhere that still has the prized remote in its packaging. This blogger found just such a batch at Sam's Club two Saturdays ago, but nothing's guaranteed at this point. Then again, even if you don't find that special sticker on your system, you can always pick up a more fully-featured remote elsewhere. Say, has anyone tried a Media Center remote with the 360 yet? That could be a decent replacement if it's compatible.

Reader Comments (23)

Well, according to a few ebay auctions, media centre remotes DO work, but you are missing the guide button obviously.

I still want a mini remote though :( I have no need for the number buttons, i just want the other ones :P

thats such BS especially considering how many people that pre-ordered haven't gotten their system yet.

I'm crying foul on this one.

I finally found a 360 last monday and noticed that, sadly, there was no remote in the box. But who the hell cares about a crappy remote anyway?

i've had my 360 since launch and the remote is still in the box. if i wanna watch a dvd or something i just use the controller.

The mini-remote actually did have a Guide button. The only thing it didn't have were the numbers and a couple of other buttons so you could control your television with it. All the mini remote was really good for was DVD controls, ejecting discs and powering down the 360. I guess if you had a Media Center PC it could be useful for that (it did have the button for it).

It's not that great anyway; I traded mine in and got the full remote. I was actually annoyed that it wasn't the full remote to begin with...seems like a waste of manufacturing. The Harmony remote seems like the best option, but it's rather pricey at $99-129.

I believe Jelly was referring to the missing Guide button on Windows XP Media Center remotes, but thanks for the info anyway, SuicideNinja! =)

The remote is crap, I'd rather use my Logitech Harmony remote. I'll give mine to anyone for $10.

Don't worry, the included remote is not very good. The face buttons don't respond well (especially within the Media Extender portion of the 360).

The only good things about the remote is that you can

A) Open and close the drive tray
B) Turn the system off with one button
C) Cycle through songs without going to the mini-dash in the game.

Other than that, its not very good.

I got my Xbox back in December. It was purchased a week before Christmas and there was already no remote included in the $400 version. I didnt need it, but it was kind of crappy that it wasnt there.

When I was building a media center computer for my mom for Christmas, I was putting things together on the floor, near where my Xbox 360 sits. When I was testing the remote, I noticed that I was controlling both devices. So yeah, any old Media Center remote will work with an Xbox 360. You just lose a few Xbox-specific buttons.

Honestly guys, there is no reason to feel slighted for not getting the remote. It is pretty crappy. It is not worth the time you are spending complaining about not getting it.

I work at Futureshop - we recieved systems with remotes about a week and a half ago, but on Friday we recieved around 10 Premium systems which had no remote in them.

I bought a 360 bundle from Costco last night and it had the mini remote in the box so you can still find it. The remote is crap and has to be pointed right at the 360. I'm eventually going to replace the remotes for both of my 360s. The Media Center remote works pretty well as long as your MCE PC isn't in the same room.

Yup. Media center remote works for 360 (and vice-versa I believe). There's an option somewhere in the 360 settings blade to allow a broader range of remotes...

The Logitech Harmony 360 universal remote ($129) is the shite, lemme tell you.

I finally got rid of my four remotes, and it did it by making everything even simpler than my original remotes!

P.S., I sound like a paid employee....but its true - its a dang great remote (and I've gone thru alot...)

I bought an XBox 360 Premium system on Jan. 22nd and it did not come with the remote control. I called 1-800-4MyXBox and asked Customer Support if the free remote control promo was still going on. They told me it is still going on and they sent me the remote control via overnight mail at no extra charge.

umm, the media center remote is available in stores here in UK, my local dixons has at least 4 of them on the shelve, been there ages, surely they'll work in other regions.

mce remote works like a charm, the small remote with the bundle is not so good (especially the "feel" of the buttons)

might buy the harmony, seems pretty cool

What I really like using the remote for is changing songs while playing a game. It's much easter to just hit one button on the remote than use the joystick to hit the Live button, scroll down, select the next song button and then hit A.

I got my 360 a week ago and I didn't get a remote in the box. I guess I wasn't supposed to. I called 1-800-4MY-XBOX and they sent me one anyway. They thought I was supposed to have one.

Oh so what! In a few months time the cost of a 360 premium bundle will be way less than the cost of one with a full 360 remote anyhow. This article is just news for news sake.

I bought my 360 a few weeks ago and it didnt have a remote already.

Mad, price drops may come and go, but freebies are forever -- *ahem* -- I mean, if you're not interested in upgrading to a better remote, it's really nice to know you're still in on the bundled promo. I do thank Jimmy and Jake for mentioning the number to call to request a free remote if your system didn't come with one, however; that's really good news for people who feel they missed out.

Chance of finding a 360 bundled remote: remote

Reader Comments (23)

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