Microsoft Slashes Price of Unloved 500GB Xbox One Kinect Bundle From $499 to $399
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When Microsoft introduced a Kinect-less Xbox One for $399, sales soared. Sales only improved when the console’s price was cut to $349. So we were quite surprised when Microsoft introduced a new 500GB Xbox One console bundle with a Kinect camera earlier this month at the $499 price point. The rather unremarkable bundle also included free, full-game downloads of Dance Central Spotlight, Kinect Sports Rivals and Zoo Tycoon.
We have the feeling that there weren’t many takers for the bundle, as Microsoft has just introduced a new “limited time” offer that sees that same bundle fall to just $399. Likewise, the standalone Kinect camera has also fallen in price from $149 to $99.
It should be interesting to see how long this limited time offer sticks around. After all, the price cut from $399 to $349 was originally billed as a limited time offer before it became the new, permanent price for the Xbox One.
Despite gamer apathy, Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson, says that Kinect is here to stay. “This is a great time to experience the greatest games lineup in Xbox history, including Kinect favorites where you can jump right in. Nearly half of Xbox One owners are using Kinect today, and across the Xbox fan base, Kinect sensor owners are regularly among those reporting the highest level of customer satisfaction,” said Major Nelson. “We are also continuing to invest in Kinect, and are looking forward to launching the Cortana personal assistant on Xbox One in 2016.”
ALL Xbox One gamers will be looking forward to November 12th — that’s when the New Xbox One Experience will be available, bringing with its a new Windows 10-infused user interface, Xbox 360 backwards compatibility and a host of other feature enhancements and performance improvements.