Xbox 360 loses remote

Limited-edition mini Media Remote Control with premium pack runs out; preorders being filled now out of luck.

When the Xbox 360 made its grand launch in North America last November, gamers who got hold of the hard-to-find premium pack were treated to a few extras. In addition to a 20GB hard drive, a wireless controller, and HD AV cables, early adopters got a limited-edition Xbox 360 Media Remote Control. Though chances of finding an Xbox 360 are remote, the chances of finding one with the bonus remote are even more...remote.

The limited run of bonus Media Remote Controls is apparently over. A GameStop employee has confirmed to GameSpot that the bonus remotes have not been shipping with the Xbox 360 Premium Packs that have been trickling into their stores. This means that Xbox 360 preorders that still remain unfulfilled--and may very well have been placed months ago--won't be getting the controller. GameSpot has received unconfirmed reports that the discontinuation has infuriated gamers who preordered the console long ago expecting the remote to be included.

All is not lost, though. Gamers looking to get a TV-style remote control to play DVDs and whatnot can still pony up for Microsoft's Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote ($29.99) or Logitech's Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 ($129.99).

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116 comments
doohuh
doohuh

I want a remote - it's pretty neat looking p.s. -------- look at this date compared to the others ;)

jcam432002
jcam432002

please. you think gamestop should offer all those customers a free remote anyways? give your head a shake. it's certainly not their fault.

AceCometh
AceCometh

I could care less about the the limited edition remote. I just want to find a store that actually has the console in stock! The deep south in the U.S. gets the back burner while everyone else in the world gets first take. We haven't had any since the initial launch around here!

Adada2011
Adada2011

Yea poor people with there preorders. I feel bad for them. Yea they should give them all free stuff lol

GreyFoxV1
GreyFoxV1

Wow alot of people are going to feel pretty ghipped.

mezonesxbox
mezonesxbox

I DOnt really care my Media Center Remote also works with my 360!! : P

pie4u
pie4u

That sucks for those of you who preordered and didnt get it yet.

CheatRZ
CheatRZ

I don't know why everyone thinks they have to go out and buy the $130 Logitech remote if they didn't get the one that came with the system.. Go to Best Buy or Walmart and get the $30 remote for the 360 by Microsoft. It's better than the free-bees anyway.

Khimarhi
Khimarhi

that's just wrong. Pre-orders should get something extra in return since they have been waiting since before launch day

ThePhantomVI
ThePhantomVI

I was thinking about picking up one of those Logitech remotes anyway, since they're Mac compatable, too. But then I saw the price! Gah!

DarkleafNight
DarkleafNight

Wonder if Gamestop.com and Microsoft have ever heard of "Bait and Switch"? Don't be surprised if this touches off a class action lawsuit against both of them. Microsoft overstated their ability to meet the demand for their product, and Gamestop.com advertised the remote as an incentive to pre-order. Whether or not this was a "limited run" has nothing to do with the way it was advertised, and if Gamestop was smart they would offer to include the $29.99 remote with these early pre-orders to head off a lawsuit. even if they did it for $10.00 the approximate difference in value between the mini-remote and the universal one. But as gamers, with the merger of Gamestop and EB, don't expect to be treated fairly since this have effective eliminated all competition in the games market. Meaning that most other major retailers never have games on launch dates, usually the following Tuesday, and most gamers, including myself won't wait another week to get a game that they have waited on for 2 to 3 years in development

luca_III
luca_III

I see why every one is complaining, but said it was limited edition and so it isn

DarthLad
DarthLad

This is all crap. I was unlucky enough to preorder my 360 at GameStop. If anything people who have to wait for months should get something extra! I ordered it back in August and I still don't have one and I'm not getting a damn remote. I have to spend another 30 for it. This is the last time I'm going to GameStop.

chaos_theory_09
chaos_theory_09

Its just a remote. I've had my xbox since launch and I have only used my remote once. The controler works just as well.

edubuccaneer
edubuccaneer moderator

That's ridiculous. Now people that paid to have the remote are going to be 'out of luck'? They paid for the darn thing, they should get it or get a refund for it... that's why you can't never trust pre-orders, something fishy always happens.

DrKill09
DrKill09

well, I don't know if it's proper to call what people have now "pre-orders". The console has been out for months, and the smart people who preordered early have theirs. I have my remote. :D HAHA!

SgtSilock
SgtSilock

hmm, i have a remote with my xbox 360 : /

Griffinhart
Griffinhart

I finally got my 360 that I paid for in September and was dismayed to not find a remote. If you plan on using the 360 as an extender for Media Center it's pretty much required. The wireless gaming controller technically works, but it's about as functional as operating windows without a mouse. Sure you can, but it's ugly.

Mullinator
Mullinator

$130 for a remote? Heh, i'm betting buying a Rev remote from Nintendo will be less than half that.

Dayme
Dayme

leave it to m$ to dissappoint its fan base, cant say this is unexpected

santana4064
santana4064

this is dissapointing, because people that preordered were expecting that remote, but i'm sure its no big deal, can't you guys use the controller (game pad etc) to play a dumb movie?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cynin
Cynin

That is $soft for you. The game stores should at the very least compensate you somehow for being sold a bundle that now isn't the same bundle you purchased.

nrt25
nrt25

Who cares, that remote sucked it couldn't even control my TV.... Yeah the 360 is going to flop now that they don't come with a free useless remote anymore.... Yeah right Microsoft haters, in your dreams.

inferno394
inferno394

If microsoft has so much money, tell them to hire more workers to get there systems out on time. With over 200 billion in assets at ur disposal U would think they could get something done. Screw xbox 360. I have better graphics on my PC and it olny cost me $500. As much money as people have spent on the 360, the're PC could be waaaaaaaaaay better. Besides the gaming industry needs a change especially with how games play. The same old plug n play is boring and ancient. Time for a change.

jameston80
jameston80

Exactly, Gamestop should give everyone a free remote, they took the preorders, they should please their customers, I'll place money they wont, you know why? They are a big corporation, they just dont care!!!! All they want is money, money, money, granted I want money too, but I never pre-ordered any systems for my customers at my small store, because I knew something like this would eventually happen, and not to mention the shortage problem too. If they took the pre-orders they should live up to what they promised their customers.

Optimusv2
Optimusv2

For the misinformed kid that compared the 360 to the dreamcast. How much money does microsoft have compared to sega or even sony? I thought so. Sony's market cap in the stock market is like a max of 49 billion whereas microsoft is as high as 280 billion... the 360 end up like the dreamcast?? No chance in hell.

Optimusv2
Optimusv2

Its not microsoft's responsibility they are LIMITED EDITION remotes meaning not all consoles will come with them!!

SavoyPrime
SavoyPrime

This truly sucks for those who preordered a long time ago and STILL don't have their 360's yet.

ufopuller
ufopuller

If it can not turn on my DVD and TV, what good is it?

stevenj05
stevenj05

HAHAHA!!!! thats why i didnt preorder mine...people who preorder systems are morons....didnt you think another 1000 were going to do the same thing...hahaha

inferno394
inferno394

$129 for a remote? Microsoft is smoking dat wakky bakky!!! U feel me cuz?!!!

NinjaFoot
NinjaFoot

I switched mine on on November 22nd. That's not the point.

miiiguel
miiiguel

Glad I had mine. Also..., I had no problem with my pre-order, everything went fine! on 2nd of December I was switching it on. I guess Portugal rocks!

forever_blank
forever_blank

@##$ that! That is not cool. I pre-ordered ages ago... wow now remote.... ssss (Nintendo Fan At Heart)

NinjaFoot
NinjaFoot

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

NinjaFoot
NinjaFoot

Limited Edition doesn't even come into the equation when there are people who preordered the 360 who aren't getting one. For people who buy one off the shelf now I can say yeah, Limited Edition. That doesn't excuse it for the people who preordered who are getting shafted.

tartar23
tartar23

haha , suckers ...... I got the Bonus remote - na na nana .... lol

joyer
joyer

bah microsoft didnt really plan this very well... oh well if it gets a head start on the others i guess theyll be counting their money either way... more so

CougarTai
CougarTai

I ended up getting the Logitech Harmony remote anyway ...

Wayne
Wayne

I got the remote with mine, but the Limited Time "freebie" does not have numerals to change channels, or fill forms, when using as a Media Center extender. For me, that renders the freebie useless anyway.

OPOLO
OPOLO

Hmm - now might be a good time for me to place my remote on eBay

blackdamage
blackdamage

Well, I've had the console since day one (in Europe) and the remote came with it. It's been useful until now. But I use my 360 for DVDs too. For gamers only, it's not so important.

ALLoY1717
ALLoY1717

If I was a waiting pre order 360 customer I would be so pissed. But the non-inclusion of the remote isn't really the biggest thing in the world, and doesn't bother me too much, particually because now I have reason to get the full remote.

badster
badster

what is with this 20 gig hardrive...mine is only 13

Swampthing
Swampthing

When I picked up my Xbox 360 premium last month, it didn't have the sticker either and no remote was inside. No big deal for me, I was satisfied just to get my hands on a 360! ;)

axnubis
axnubis

Good thing I got mine,

NinjaFoot
NinjaFoot

FYI anyone interested, newegg has the $130 remotes for $95.99 and thats still BEFORE the $30 rebate. I dont have any use for one but I figured I would give a heads up in case anyone was.