Wed, May 02, 2012 | 18:34 BST
Report – Microsoft to release $99 Xbox 360 Kinect bundle next week with two-year gold sub
Next week Microsoft will launch a $99 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle with two months of gold, according to sources close to Polygon. The two-year subscription will be “subsidized with a monthly cost of $15,’ and will be available through “Microsoft Stores in the US.” Microsoft has yet to confirm the bundle, and we’ve sent a mail asking for comment.
12 
Posted in: Microsoft, Rumour, Xbox 360
Tags: $99 Xbox 360 Kinect bundle
12 comments
#1
The_Red
02/05/12, 5:18 pm
F*** me. I just got a new 360 slim!! Seriously f*** me.
#2
DrDamn
02/05/12, 5:22 pm
@1
It’s not that great a deal when broken down – unless the streaming stuff is good. Total outlay is $460 vs. $420 if bought up front.
I’d like to see a nice good value Slim + Kinect bundle in the UK announced at E3 – that could tempt me.
#3
M. K.
02/05/12, 5:23 pm
WTF?! Seriously? I guess the next Xbox is really coming soon huh?
#4
polygem
02/05/12, 5:24 pm
@1: same here……but i bought it used for 130 euro. it is kinda brandnew though, only 2 month old with guarantee and all. i also kind of need more HD space than these 4gb and do not need kinect. this pricing will make reselling much harder for sure but pricedrops are always welcome!
#5
The_Red
02/05/12, 5:27 pm
@2
I know but still.
@4
Yeah, 4gb simply too low. I usually install games because of the load times and always feel the need for more space.
#6
OlderGamer
02/05/12, 5:45 pm
Still, it would make a decent replacement option for people with aging systems?
But you have to agree to pay 15/month for two years right? Sorta like a cell phone contract. Meaning that 15 X 24 + 100 = 460 for the bundle.
Kind of sounds like clever marketing more then anything to me. But for some, maybe alright.
#7
NiceFellow
02/05/12, 7:19 pm
Another buy now pay more over time lure?
I’ll never get why people go with these – even allowing for factoring in cost of money you’re always paying more vs just saving up a bit first then purchasing.
Clearly aimed at a certain demographic and I presume US only initially?
@7 I don’t see how it’s a better replacement option than just replacing it. It’s just a deal where you pay more in total for the luxuary of paying a bit less up front.
#8
OlderGamer
02/05/12, 7:39 pm
I agree with ya NiceFellow.
#9
pukem0n
02/05/12, 7:43 pm
seriously, 4GB xbox 360 + a Kinect??
and they STILL make profit on those bundles ^^
guess how much they make on regular priced ones :>
#10
drewbles82
02/05/12, 8:09 pm
$15 a month, seriously. I dont know how much it is for a yr sub but heres i get mine for £26, thats like just under $40
#11
ManuOtaku
02/05/12, 9:08 pm
I got one of the 4GB with the kinect in it, and then i purchase i cheap 250 GB hard drive and i did installed, i think i save 80$, therefore if one can find a very cheap hard drive, i think this is a great deal.
#12
NiceFellow
02/05/12, 9:46 pm
@11 how is it a great deal? You pay (assuming it’s not a false rumour of course) $99 + $330 (22 months at $15 dollars – first 2 free if I read it correctly) = $429
In short, you can buy the exact same thing for less right now simply by purchasing a decent 4GB bundle – for example I see one on Amazon for $298. Assume two years of Gold at $40 dollars and you pay $378 for the same thing. It’s not a great deal.
This is simply a lure to get certain people to go “wow I can get a 360 for $99″. Once you factor in the monthly fee (which is your Live sub plus the rest of the cost of the console – ’cause you’re not really getting it for $99) you’re actually paying more that someone buying a bundle up front.
Now if you really have such cash flow issues that you can’t stump up the full price I can see the attraction, but you’re paying extra (as you always are with these deals) for the luxuary of spreading the payments.