A 250GB Xbox Slim and two games for $300? That sounds like a good deal, actually.
Microsoft has all sorts of Xbox 360 bundles for the holidays, but perhaps none so sweet as the most recently revealed. Like Europe and Canada, the US will indeed see the release of a special (and seasonal) 250GB Xbox 360 S bundle that packs in a downloadable token for Remedy's super atmospheric shooter Alan Wake and super simulation racer Forza Motorsport 3. The price? An agreeable $300.
Unfortunately, there's no firm release date for this bundle. Major Nelson points out, though, that it will see a wide release within the next few weeks. So, keep checking those shelves, brave holiday gifters.
This latest bundle will join the similarly priced 4GB Xbox 360 S/Kinect bundle, which hits shelves this November 4. It will also, presumably, be stacked alongside the 250GB Xbox 360 S Halo: Reach Bundle ($360), as well as the much older (and far less trendier) Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 Elite bundle ($350).
" Sounds like microsoft didn't do well selling those games. "
I think the thing with this bundle is that Microsoft, as Remedy is going for Alan Wake 2, is trying to make it a popular franchise among its consumers. So bigger revenues are made with the sequel. Forza 3 is probably there to counterbalance GT5 popularity, and win a bigger fanbase. "
You can't simply "make it popular", the consumers collectively decide what is to be popular and what is not to be popular. The sales were mediocre. If they wanted to sell the game, they would likely have to change up the formula. Forza 3 is months old. It probably already sold to people already interested in the game. They were probably left over copies that they had in stock. If there is a "fanbase" for GT5, they are probably interested in GT5. Not to say people who play GT5 play GT5 exclusively. But those who would likely play both games probably like racing game generally speaking.
" Sounds like microsoft didn't do well selling those games. "
I think the thing with this bundle is that Microsoft, as Remedy is going for Alan Wake 2, is trying to make it a popular franchise among its consumers. So bigger revenues are made with the sequel.
Forza 3 is probably there to counterbalance GT5 popularity, and win a bigger fanbase.
Surprised that Wake is a download code - it's not like they have any of those spare (the UK shops have racks of unsold / pre-owned stock selling for < £15 / $20).
It's a shame that in the case of Alan Wake they can't even give it away ...
" The wrong game is done as a download card. Forza is the long-term game that would be best-served sitting on a hard drive. Alan Wake seems like a play-it-and-delete-it sort of game. "
Agreed. I heard this was coming, then was disappointed to see that AW is just a download. I look at physical media as a backup, which I usually never need, but is nice to have. I probably would delete it after I'm done. ...However, I've owned Forza 2 for well over a year and just haven't been able to get into it. I don't think the racing sim genre is for me either.@TooWalrus
I was going to get a new slim 360 soon anyway. Since I have Alan Wake and FM3 I've decided to get the Kinect bundle. It may be a gimmick but I know my fiance will like it. If she can understand my gaming fetish a little better it only ends in win for me.
@UncertainOtter: Direct your eyes to the lower left corner of the image of Alan Wake you will see a small black "T", a "T" that is commonly associated with the ESRB's Teen rating on their "E-M" rating scale.
We've had it for a while now in Switzerland for only 300 Swiss bucks. Normally, that would be even a greater steal, but given the weak dollar, I don't know. Anyway, passed on it for now, xmas can surely do better still. I remember even off-season, MS had a bundle with 4 games (2 of which were good, the other 2 were Lego and Madagascar, I believe).
Lego games are great! "
I hear Harry Potter and Indy 2 were pretty great again, but before that, the Lego games kinda stalled and playing Indy, Lego Batman and Lego Star Wars, they're pretty much identical and kept in all the crap. Don't get me wrong, they're fine games, just not outstanding or even remarkable.
escaping from the haunted house above the lake, and anything with Barry in it. To whoever dressed up as Barry covered in Christmas lights at Pax, I salute you.
They also had a Splinter cell and Call of Duty Xbox. Plus the 4GB isn't the only one getting bundled with Kinect. It'll be bundled with the 250GB on the 4th as well.
" @oysteinBrenne:@Ne0teric: Ah sorry! Games aren't really rated here, and for some reason I just assumed Alan Wake would be an M-rated game. My bad. "
Don't feel bad, that's definitely not a crazy assumption to make! I'd already played through two-thirds of the game under the assumption it was M-rated before realizing it was T. It sure as hell doesn't feel like it should have the same ESRB rating as Super Smash Bros, but I think that just speaks to Remedy's ability to effectively craft a spooky atmosphere without being outright violent or gorey.
I do need a new Xbox, but I already have Forza... and don't really play it. I tried to get into it, but I don't think Sim Racing games are for me- I find them kinda boring.
We've had it for a while now in Switzerland for only 300 Swiss bucks. Normally, that would be even a greater steal, but given the weak dollar, I don't know. Anyway, passed on it for now, xmas can surely do better still. I remember even off-season, MS had a bundle with 4 games (2 of which were good, the other 2 were Lego and Madagascar, I believe).
We've had it for a while now in Switzerland for only 300 Swiss bucks. Normally, that would be even a greater steal, but given the weak dollar, I don't know. Anyway, passed on it for now, xmas can surely do better still. I remember even off-season, MS had a bundle with 4 games (2 of which were good, the other 2 were Lego and Madagascar, I believe).
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