Xbox 360 gets bundles of holiday joy

Microsoft adds Sega Superstars Tennis to $199 Arcade boxes, whereas standard $299 and Elite $399 systems will come packed with Lego Indy, Kung Fu Panda.

With the stock-market implosion causing many to watch their wallets, people no doubt will be looking to stretch their gaming dollars as far as possible this holiday season. Microsoft is making a serious bid for those dollars, given that the company this week followed up last month's Xbox 360 price cuts by announcing new holiday bundles for each of its hardware configurations.

Indy assesses the value proposition.

Starting this month, Xbox 360s will begin appearing on store shelves bundled with free family-friendly third-party games. The Xbox 360 Arcade bundle--which already comes with full versions of Xbox Live Arcade games Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, and Feeding Frenzy--will now include Sega Superstars Tennis as well. Meanwhile, the $299 Xbox 360 and $399 Xbox 360 Elite will include Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.

An exciting picture of packaging.

Free games aren't the only thing that Microsoft is using to push sales of the Xbox 360 this holiday season. The company is also resting its hopes on core games such as Gears of War 2, Fable II, broad-appeal offerings including Lips and You're in the Movies, and an overhauled dashboard referred to as the New Xbox Experience.

For more on how much the pack-in games add to their respective consoles, check out GameSpot's full reviews of Sega Superstars Tennis, Lego Indiana Jones, and Kung Fu Panda.

UPDATE: Late yesterday afternoon, Microsoft Australia confirmed that the updated Xbox 360 Arcade and Xbox 360 Elite bundles would also be coming down under. Like in the US, there will be no extra price hike, with the Xbox 360 Arcade and Xbox 360 Elite retailing for A$499 ($327) and A$649 ($425.91) respectively.

136 Comments

  • ponchados

    Posted Jan 7, 2009 12:59 am PT

    los paquetes si son algo sorprendentes, solo que no hay mucho $$$ para decidirse por cualquiera de los tres..

  • Toro_Nev

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 7:25 pm PT

    That’s worth it a lot, same price and you benefit by getting more games.

  • SR71halo

    Posted Oct 24, 2008 9:29 am PT

    People think that they're "Wii games" because they're more kid-friendly and there's little violence.

    Just because a game is kid friendly doesn't mean it's bad, Lego Indianna Jones for instance is a decent game.

    Plus, let me ask you something, are Super Mario Brothers (for the NES), Sonic the Hedgehog (for the Genesis), or Megaman bad games?

  • vengeance00

    Posted Oct 24, 2008 4:51 am PT

    oh joy...

  • AxL_2k7

    Posted Oct 23, 2008 9:57 pm PT

    Actually, I don't think those are games meant for Wii, cause they have no special interaction with the wii controls, so they where surely meant to be xbox games and adapted for the other consoles.

    And about the bundles, yeah the games are just to show you that your 360 is really working XD, in the end Ill be buying one if MK Vs DC turns out to be a good game.

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Oct 23, 2008 8:58 pm PT

    absolute bargain, buy one you cheap ass

  • V-Nine

    Posted Oct 23, 2008 8:27 pm PT

    ...they should've just reissued Forza 2 and Fusion Frenzy 2, but free swag is free swag.....

  • direkt57

    Posted Oct 23, 2008 3:52 pm PT

    ok so theyre giving u games ull just use as leverage for a trade for REAL 360 games like gears and halo? lego games and ones like kung fu panda are meant for the wii. not REAL gaming consoles.

  • snakes3425

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 10:49 am PT

    Games like Halo and Gears don't need bundels to be big hits

  • guilhem_r

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 10:32 pm PT

    These crappy bundles are for Wii buyers.
    I want a bundle with Gear 2 or CODWaW + several months of XBL.

  • Spoon_Si

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 4:55 pm PT

    PS3 needs to step up.. We need the little big planet bundle.. come on... Japan and Europe is gettin 1..

    still kinda sad, thats the only game I want to play for PS3 anyway.. since FFXII is heading to 360..

  • Somebody89

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    Cool. You can't beat free stuff.

  • FrankenLife

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 11:48 am PT

    If they were to introduce adult bundles, then they wouldn't put in games like Halo or Gears. Those games will sell fine on their own. They would rather put in games that don't sell as well to increase the perceived value of the package. It is the same reason you don't get Geometry Wars with the Arcade. People will buy that anyway.

    This will really increase sales, but I don't know that it will help out their bottom line P&L. The economy is going down in a way that it would cause people to think twice about spending money on games frequently. Since they make their money back on future game sales, increasing their losses now may not be the best idea. They would probably be better off just leaving it at the current price cuts.

  • Zennious

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 11:45 am PT

    not mine though okassar =( good thing i can buy my own presents.

  • okassar

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 11:10 am PT

    That's going to be under a lot of Christmas trees

  • lamprey263

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 4:20 pm PT

    Well, maybe this is a good time to introduce adult bundles and family bundles, and see which ones sell better, an adult bundle can come bundled with games like Halo 3 and Gears of Wars, and family bundles can come bundled with games like these (Lego Indiana Jones & Kung Fu Panda... ugh, okay, Indiana Jones is okay but come on, Kung Fu Panda, for real?!).

  • XanderZane

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 10:52 am PT

    P0T Guys, you are totally missing the point. Hardcore gamers have already bought the system, this bundle is attempting to attract families. Hence family friendly games.
    *********************************************
    That's exactly the point. M$ is trying to attract more casual and family gamers to the Xbox 360. They already have the hardcore gamers and now they want the casual and elderly gamers to jump on board. I think the bundles will do well. FREE games are always a good thing.

  • Dbzaol9

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 2:20 pm PT

    Cool, I'm saving up for a 360 and this only sweetens the deal

  • P0T

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 1:39 pm PT

    I can't believe people are b***hing about free games haha. And most of these people already own the system so why do they even care? Oh yeah, because posting a negative comment on every news story is the popular thing to do. Although I will add that the Elite should have a more mature gamers bundle while having a family friendly bundle for the cheapest unit.

  • P0T

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 1:35 pm PT

    Guys, you are totally missing the point. Hardcore gamers have already bought the system, this bundle is attempting to attract families. Hence family friendly games.

  • SR71halo

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 12:59 pm PT

    earlthecannibal: you already said that.

  • gamist

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 12:15 pm PT

    Whoever is in charge of the Marketing Team should be fired. I mean they need to include a bundle with Mature games for the Mature audience. Then again, they could pull what Sony did with MGS4 and come out with a GEOW 2 Bundle.

  • StarKiller2127

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    @RawhideSphinx Except halo and gears sucked the last bundle had one good game. Forza 2. but i agree the bundle this year is to much for kids. lego star wars was fun but the other ones just weren't any good.

  • earlthecannibal posted Oct 10, 2008 12:03 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    earlthecannibal

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 12:03 pm PT (hide)

    Wow... two really stupid kid games who cares. Plus the Christmas line up is weak as well. Fable 2 =child rpg and Gears of War 2 =more of the same (they probably had the game done when Gears one came out and are just rehashing it with this supposed sequel) Conan, the most beautiful warrior.

  • necronaux

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 11:14 am PT

    Definetly wouldn't buy it just for the games. But, if you're opening it on x-mas, at least you'll have something to play, right out of the box.

  • julianwelton

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:52 am PT

    Wow I agree with other posters, how about the arcade bundle comes with a HDD instead of three of the arcade titles and the memory card. That would make the bundle not useless to anyone buying a 360 for the first time.

  • darkride66

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:45 am PT

    You know what would be nice to see in the Arcade bundle? A HARD DRIVE! Seriously, you can't even use everything coming in the fall update without one. By MS's own count that's about 20% of all their console owners that can't use the update.
    Anyway, why are people complaining about the games. Lego Indy is awesome! Oh, wait. Tennis and Panda. I get it.

  • RawhideSphinx

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:35 am PT

    why not a bundle for kids and a bundle for adults. This bundle is fine for kids but I think a Gears/Halo bundle would be godd for every1 else. Most adults will not bye this bundle. And with no other option they will simply wait.

  • squirlnuts2005

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:29 am PT

    yea...kinda stupid games but watever...easy achievements

  • Fusible

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:25 am PT

    They're trying to go for the younger audience, so that parents buy this bundle.

  • mankeyador

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:24 am PT

    @crazy-k totally agree. I would have had an elite a long time ago if they would put in one of those games bundled in.

  • flclempire

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:24 am PT

    ew

  • rtehrani

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:23 am PT

    when is this supposed to take effect??

  • Lostboy1224

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:14 am PT

    They should bundle games that are at least good, and have some fun instore for kids over the age of 10. Give me a Force Unleashed/Brothers in Arms bundle. That way you get some not too violent game and a bloody shooter. Everyone wins!

  • metalkid9

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:12 am PT

    how are they gonna attract consumers with sh*tty games?

  • Senor_Kami

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 9:07 am PT

    The arcade bundle is nice, but the other two are easily some of the worst bundles i've ever seen. They need some games with a bit more edge to them. The Lego series seems to be a pretty fun casual game, but Kung-fu Panda? When you combine the two its clear you're aiming at like 10 year olds and lower.

    Why not keep putting Forza in there? Why pay a 3rd party when you have tons of your own games with a similar feel (talking about Lego)... Kameo or Viva Pinata 1 would have been good and cheap choices for a casual. Especially Viva since its basically just an advertisement to get that person to check out the recently released sequel.

    The Elite should definitely have some T and M games though. I can't imagine too many 10 year olds are getting a $400 console purchased for them.

    Kameo, Viva Pinata, Forza, Gears of War, PDZ, and every other game released on the system... yet they think the bulk of people will be enticed by Lego and Kung-fu Panda. The only people who would really want both of these are people who would buy an arcade... which comes with neither of these.

  • frankeyser

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 8:43 am PT

    why put in garbage games? (other than indy it is just ok)
    put in some good pack in games. that is how you bring in fence sitters.

  • Krazy-K

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 8:38 am PT

    I hate when they bundle a console with sucky games. I mean come on, the PS3 had a MGS4 bundle and now a Uncharted Bundle. Why not make a Halo 3 Bundle or Gears of War Bundle, I might buy a X360 if they had a Gears of War Bundle.

    @kashkropsntokes

    I kinda agree with you on that. And I am a PS3 owner. I believe that the PS3 is the most powerful system out there but the X360 has a larger library of games. But I disagree about the console war being over. Usually these console war isn't over until the new sytems are out. But yeah, each of the systems are best at what they do.

    PS3 = Most Powerful System.
    X360 = Largest Gaming Library.
    Wii = Cheap, and Anybody can play it.

  • sniperhare

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:49 am PT

    Why couldn't they put in good games? Oh well, I've got my 360, had one since launch.

  • kashkropsntokes

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:44 am PT

    SalarianChemist sounds like a Microsoft rep posing as a GS user. Though the concept of getting Forza for free last year was a better deal, Forza is also not a game that everyone will want to pick up and play. LEGO Indy is pretty good, and you can trade-in Kung Fu Panda (for nothing).

    The 360's won this console war already, and it's all about games. Sony's made a superior machine, but Microsoft has thrown so many good (and exclusive) games that the profit margin's too great. Gears 2 and Fable figure to raise the sales by the millions on their own, and the only reasons I've seen to own a PS3 are MGS4, Little Big Planet and a Blu-Ray Player. Otherwise, I have everything I want and need. Losing exclusive rights to GTA IV, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and now Tekken 6 has devastated the PS3's viability. Microsoft has the better 1st party and exclusively developed games.

    That being said, I want a PS3 for christmas.

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:27 am PT

    Since I paid more for mine, can my bundle be retroactive?...and with better games?

  • siLVURcross

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:22 am PT

    I think last year's Pro Holiday Bundle was so much more worth it. I think it was Forza 2 and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows for pretty much the same price as it costed last year.

  • xraystar

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:21 am PT

    good move, actually - i'm all for 360 keeping its momentum.

  • RELL1K

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:20 am PT

    I think a lot of parents will buy 360's for their kids this season. Wii's are hard to come by and kids love the Kung Fu Panda, it's a good game from what I've seen anyway.

  • eitremn

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:19 am PT

    i am one who is considering picking up either a ps3 or an x360. seeing this bundled with those two useless games makes me say "no thanks."

  • FLEEBS

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:19 am PT

    Kind of silly games to be including in these systems if you ask me. I suppose it will give parents more reason to buy them for their kids, though.

  • Expo_Smacko

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:08 am PT

    Sweet deal. May upgrade to the elite.

  • LostSoul1974

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 6:45 am PT

    I could see this being a good selling point for parents buying their children a 360, but not really for a stereotypical "gamer".....but then again, a "gamer" probably already has at least one of the systems anyways......

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