EB's XBOX Bundle Makes Me Cranky

Posted on August 25, 2001

Rant by Tiptonium

Ouch! I dropped by my local Electronics Boutique store to get the scoop on the XBOX reservation deal that they will be offering beginning September 1, 2001.

EB requires that you pay them $100 now to reserve the bundle. If you want to reserve a system you have to do this. The days of "no money" reserves are over I guess. That $100 will be applied to the final sale when the system ships in November. EB will be able to "bank" that money to do with what the will. They'll get the interest on that money, not you. Caaaa-ching!

The Bundle Price is $499.95. What is included? The XBOX system itself, one extra controller and your choice of 3 XBOX launch games. So what if there aren't 3 launch games that interest you? Tough. You've got to pick 3. at the time of pre-order. to ensure that they have it for you when the system launches.

The price breakout is as follows:

XBOX Systems	$299
Extra Controller	$40
Game #1	$53.65
Game #2	$53.65
Game #3	$53.65

As you can see, they are not cutting you a price break anywhere. unless all XBOX games are going to be $54 or more. I remember Microsoft claiming that the prices would be in the $39 - $49 range. $40 is a lot of money for one controller.

But wait! If you want SVIDEO then you'll have to buy a cable for that. Digital output? Yep, you've got to buy a cable. Want to be able to use a remote for that DVD player? Yep, you've got to buy a controller for that function too.

I know a lot of folks that generally buy just one game at a time. They'll play that game until it is beaten or until they've gotten their money's worth out of it. Believe it or not, many gamers buy 3 or less games a year, relying on the rental outlets for games for the most part. Being forced to buy 3 games and an extra controller is just not right. Remember, many gamers are solo gamers and are not interested in multiplayer games.

This is a bad sign. Perhaps the XBOX is being bundled because the system is going to be in short supply in 2001. I do not know. Perhaps EB just wants to make a nice little profit on the games and accessories. That's probably more like it.

Well kiddies, it is time to save your money If you want to be an early XBOX adopter. I hope you have $100 laying around so that you can reserve a system. Hopefully, other companies will NOT follow this model of taking advantage of the game player.

I do not have a problem with bundles per say, but I do have a problem when that bundle does not add any value. This is just a scheme to ensure that EB makes a nice little profit and that you do not go off and buy games for a few dollars less elsewhere. I suspect that price matching will not be applicable to the bundle games. You can bet that Best Buy or other companies will be offering games for a few dollars less.

Could EB be the Grinch that stole XBOX?

Grrrrrrr....