GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

New 360s getting two-game bundle

Microsoft packing in Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance with new Pro and Elite systems.

223 Comments

Now that the Wii and PlayStation 3 have had a year to catch up to the Xbox 360's head start, Microsoft is pushing back hard. In August, it dropped the price of its consoles across the board. Last month, the company released its biggest system-seller of the year, Halo 3. Today Microsoft followed up on those moves by announcing two Xbox 360 bundles that will come with two games packed in.

Free toys inside!
Free toys inside!

This holiday season, gamers in the market for an Xbox 360 can get Pro and Elite models of the console with copies of Turn 10's Forza Motorsport 2 and Activision's Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. The bundles will sell for the standard Pro and Elite prices of $349 and $449, respectively, and Microsoft expects them to be readily available at retailers by the end of October.

If that price of admission is still too high, thrifty gamers might have some recourse on the way. Rumors have resurfaced recently that Microsoft is ditching its Xbox 360 Core package in favor of an Xbox 360 Arcade package. That system would supposedly have the same features as the Core Xbox 360, but come with a wireless controller, a 256MB memory card, and five Xbox Live Arcade games.

Microsoft is counting on this holiday season to provide the Xbox 360 with plenty of momentum to fend off Sony and Nintendo. The company has said it expects at least seven upcoming and recently released Xbox 360 games to break the million-unit sales mark, including Madden NFL 08, BioShock, Halo 3, Project Gotham Racing 4, Mass Effect, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 223 comments about this story
223 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for xtommygx13
xtommygx13

216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

isint the elite supposd to come with the ultimate alliance gold edition? And the pro comes with the regular?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jakedogg14
jakedogg14

665

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I got one of those 360's two days ago lol.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Khizer23
Khizer23

71

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Nice

Upvote • 
Avatar image for TheBigTicket21
TheBigTicket21

30875

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

too many games :(

Upvote • 
Avatar image for s3lFc0nTr0l
s3lFc0nTr0l

3028

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

pretty good deal...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Strangethings
Strangethings

135

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

I just picked up the Pro bundle this weekend. Ultimate Alliance isn't the gold edition, but it's still a great value.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for TOTAL_DEFENSE_0
TOTAL_DEFENSE_0

1192

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 17

User Lists: 0

pretty cool i guess, although i already have my 360. however, Marvel and Forza 2 are better than Wii Sports. I still like Motorstorm better than either, but hey, its two free games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Lord__Darkstorn
Lord__Darkstorn

2031

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

does anyone know if the ultimate alliance game is the "gold edition?" I just don't wanna pay 800 points for the heroes and villains dlc...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for spartan-dude
spartan-dude

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

They could have given us gears instead.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Elitekiller1172
Elitekiller1172

159

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

DATZ PRETTY BAD ASS

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MoDollars
MoDollars

74

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

don't forget Assassin's Creed, thats going to sell rapidly as a fact

Upvote • 
Avatar image for crystos
crystos

1040

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

well atleast i kno what system i;m getting this xmas,,,,,,

Upvote • 
Avatar image for powerframe8
powerframe8

207

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

... thats not really a great bundle. Forza 2 was already in a 360 bundle. And adding Ultimate Alliance? I'm sorry but that game doesnt seem "360 seller" Give us a Gears of War bundle. Bioshock even. Then the 360 will outsell everything.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for halokila
halokila

317

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

the pro has a pretty steep price.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for enoslives7
enoslives7

1213

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a great game

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Crusade_17
Crusade_17

395

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

yes...thats awesome thank u mr bill gates.............so yea sony watcha goin to do?????

Upvote • 
Avatar image for thekey
thekey

5097

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 0

willripyouanew1 "WOW,....step it up SONY" Why should they, they'll always have there loyal fans. (And they'll buy all 5 different PS3's) NOT! 360 is going to own this holiday season!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Irve
Irve

1147

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 32

User Lists: 0

This is no substitute for a proper price drop ! they need to get the Price at a point where there is a clear gap between the 360 and the PS3

Upvote • 
Avatar image for playa42018
playa42018

1364

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I haven't played Forza, but I can say that Marvel Ultimate Alliance is worth it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GruadTheGray
GruadTheGray

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Bozanimal - Show me where you can get a 360 w/o the games for about $100 cheaper and I'll agree. (segue) As I do about the better deals coming along. Nintendo's aggravated me with that for a long time.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Xbox_Gamer_117
Xbox_Gamer_117

70

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Nice deal! $100 worth games free! :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DevilMario54
DevilMario54

94

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

man these gaming companies are trying really hard to win this generation console war, Its a great time to be a gamer, Sony trying to catch up, Microsoft holding on to its great momentum, and Nintendo, well, I bet they're laughing all the way to the bank

Upvote • 
Avatar image for TheSacredRing
TheSacredRing

357

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

So an Elite purchased a couple weeks ago would not have the new GPU, but one would have it when?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Jerrymiru
Jerrymiru

150

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

If they REALLY want to move some systems, they should make one with Halo 3 in the Halo system. Still though, great move.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for rose_please
rose_please

329

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

what a graeat game

Upvote • 
Avatar image for aquinofgv
aquinofgv

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This is great news.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Harden_hawk
Harden_hawk

1129

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I'm soooo happy. :cry:

Upvote • 
Avatar image for worthyofnote
worthyofnote

21896

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Nice. I already own a 360, but I was looking to eventually purchase another one when the new GPUs are installed. I can only hope.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for hunter8man
hunter8man

1799

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 35

User Lists: 0

That's smart MS, but I wish they would let you decide which games you can get in your bundle. Marvel: UA isn't bad and neither is Forza. I think that might trump Sony's deal as parents will see the two systems for around the same price, but go with the 360 because they have two games included.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for moetrauma
moetrauma

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Sweet, now all I have to do is save for an extra controller and Halo 3 (and Bioshock, and the Orange Box, etc). Hopefully the consoles in the bundle have the new 65nm GPU, but I doubt it. I gotta put my fears aside and pray that I don't get the RROD (I hate having to use warrantees). How do I justify spending an extra $100 for an Elite? Because it is black (and the two free games aren't bad either, they actually made my decision).

Upvote • 
Avatar image for RaiKageRyu
RaiKageRyu

4204

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Shopping spree time!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Medicine_Man
Medicine_Man

172

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I traded in my pro for an elite 2 weeks ago, now they do this ? .....I just wished they would make a more stable system I've had a few scares alread with my new system. I fear its only a matter of time before it takes a dive on me like my first 2 did. :(

Upvote • 
Avatar image for willripyouanew1
willripyouanew1

500

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

WOW,....step it up SONY

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MacRuckus
MacRuckus

476

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Forza is cool, but most Marvel games are garbage imo, unless they were produced under Capcom.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for resident_rozza
resident_rozza

111

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

yes, if anything i'd rather not have Ultimate Alliance. Maybe if Micro$oft had better games in this bundle, then i'd be more tempted, of course it doesn't help that i already own a 360...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for gamer082009
gamer082009

6679

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Microsoft couldn't be in a better position than what they currently are in. And just to think a few months ago people were saying the 360 was doomed due to it's hardware failure issues. Very nice to see Microsoft pushin back hard to keep their stake in the market. Bundling those games will only help Microsoft, even if by a little!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Expo_Smacko
Expo_Smacko

2332

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 36

User Lists: 0

I would much rather spend my money on a 360, WITHOUT those 2 games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for hiryu3
hiryu3

7313

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

I think this is weak sauce

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Phazevariance
Phazevariance

12356

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I just got a new Elite last Friday... ACK now they bundle the games? ..geez! I hate it when companies do that! Drop the price, sell like crazy, no games included, then add two of them.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for PS360Fanboy
PS360Fanboy

2096

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 0

But No Killzone 2 nor MGS4

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Bozanimal
Bozanimal

2500

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 68

User Lists: 0

@GruadTheGray - Why am I wrong? You're not getting two free games, the cost of the games is simply built into the existing price of the system. It's still a better deal than it was, I'm just saying the games aren't free. It's getting to be like buying a PC; as soon as you buy a new part or computer some better deal or new technology comes along a month later. :lol:

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bigpimppapa
bigpimppapa

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 14

User Lists: 0

My XBOX 360 broke twice in 8 months leaving me with out a system for close to 2months. Plus the problem still occurs with there new Falcon chip. Time to get PS3 I have had my Fatty PS2 since it came out , never any problem. DID YOUHEAR THAT FANBOYS no freezing no server error no RROD . Still works just like new by by MICROSOFT it will be a SONY Christmas for all and for all a good night

Upvote • 
Avatar image for p30
p30

151

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Nice bundle...AAA + AA Games for free = win :D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Wolverine77
Wolverine77

212

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

ps3 is so screwed

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-6009c39ba2f35
deactivated-6009c39ba2f35

20866

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Awesome, it never hurts to include some games with consoles. Especially Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Forza.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WickedSion
WickedSion

48

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Congrats to you EBookerd1!! ~I think now I will officially lay down the big bucks and get myself an X360. I do wish the second game was not ultimate alliance though, maybe like Call of Duty 3 or something.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ebookerd1
ebookerd1

1076

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Nice, I would pick up my second one now, but my daughter will be born then! Oh well at least i have 1 right now and a new born daughter :D. And by the way Jet Set Radio Future Ruled!!! one of the all time best games ever and I will got to my grave screaming it!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WOLF-HUNTER-360
WOLF-HUNTER-360

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

sweet

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nirnaeth
nirnaeth

93

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

remember when the super nintendo came packaged with super mario all stars? now that was a package....

Upvote •