Console Bundles - Do Gamers Really Care?

These days it seems like companies will do anything to squeeze a buck out of gamer's already tight pockets.  With limited edition console themed versions of video games releasing to answer every fanboys undying pleasure, it appears that video game themed consoles bundles are beginning to take the place of limited and special edition versions of video games.  Are these overpriced bundled consoles swaying the gamer's opinions to buy not only the game, but the console or more importantly are gamers even taking notice?

"i stray away from them. after the novelty wore off, you'd be wanting for a classic look."

-MajorWhiteBoy

Microsoft is one of those companies that tend to put out a video game themed console bundle everytime they get a whiff of money to be made.  Are all of these different consoles necessary?  Let's take a look at a few that have released since the Xbox 360's release.

Resident Evil 5 was undoubtedly a disappoint in many hardcore Resident Evil fan's eyes, but what about the limited edition Resident Evil 5 console?  Did fans buy into one of the most ugliest looking console bundles ever to grace the video game market?

Soon after the announcement of the Resident Evil 5 LE Bundle, sales for the console on Amazon.com shot up to #17.  Currently the console bundle is sitting pretty at #21 on the bestsellers list for consoles sold on Amazon.com, but was this console worth the $399.00 price tag it came with?

The red LE Elite bundle came with the 120 GB HDD, one matching wireless controller, the standard edition of RE5, Xbox 360 headset, HDMI cable/ethernet cable, and the free downloads of a premium premium dashboard theme and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, but no other Resident Evil items.

Siren's Verdict: This console is hardly worth the price.  With the lack of Resident Evil items and the ugly red color of the console that makes my eyes bleed for days, I say this console was just a way for Microsoft and Capcom to make a quick buck.

"They definitely do not sway me into buying the game.  If I'm interested in a console bundle, then that means I plan on purchasing the game in the first place.  One reason I'm not interested in console bundles; they give you the regular edition of the game...."

-Elite Effect

Enter the Modern Warfare 2 LE Xbox 360 console bundle.  When the bundle was announced on September 15, 2010 Modern Warfare fans everywhere wanted a piece of this Modern Warfare inspired designed console as much as they wanted to just experience the game.  Fans finally got their hands on the bundle on November 10, 2009 and made it the #12 selling console on Amazon.com's bestseller's list for consoles.

The $399 bundle came with a special designed Modern Warfare 2 console and was the first Xbox 360 console bundle to get the 250 GB HDD.  The bundle also included the standard version of Modern Warfare 2, two black wireless controllers, one black headset, one A/V cable/ethernet cable,  a one month Gold subscription to XBL, and a free Netflix trial offer.

Siren's Verdict: Call of Duty is one of the best selling series ever to grace the Xbox 360 with it's addiciting presence so this was one of the smartest marketing ideas that Microsoft could have done.  Add in the 250 GB HDD with this package and it's pure gold.  Definitely worth the money if you are a hardcore Call of Duty fan and/or looking to upgrade your HDD.

"They have never really swayed me much before until the new Halo Reach console came out. I will say out of all the bundles that they have released before, the think the thing that always would attract me a little bit is the extra hard drive space (250 GB). Now that the new console has come out, I can get 250GB without getting a bundle, however the Halo Reach Console is tempting because of my desire for the new console as well as my interest in the game (something that the previous bundles have not done)..."

-Skylark95

Arguably one of the reasons that the original big black box survived was because of Halo.  The Halo series became Microsoft's flagship for moving consoles and making money.  Taking advantage of the outrageous number of fans, the Xbox 360 has seen one Halo themed console bundle and one newly announced Halo themed bundled console among other Halo accessories and items easily making the Halo series one of the most successful series in video game history.

The $399 Halo 3 SE themed console bundle was designed with Halo fans in mind.  The 360 itself was Master Chief green with Halo inspired designs and a matching wireless controller, headset, and Play & Charge kit.  It also featured a 20 GB HDD, HD A/V cable/ethernet cable, HDMI connection,  a detachable faceplate, a standard edition of Halo 3, and exclusive gamer pics and dashboard theme.  The Halo 3 console bundle is currently #13 on the Amazon.com list of bestseller's for a video game console.

"In all honesty, I think it's ugly. It looks like a cheap toy, and not a next gen console. With that said, if there was a Lilith(Borderlands) or Joker 360, I'd be all over 'em."

-PeeKnuckle

Halo ReachThe newly announced Halo: Reach LE console bundle has Halo fans everywhere wishing the release date was yesterday.  The console will release on September 14, 2010 to the tune of $399.  Included in the silver Halo: Reach designed bundle is the newly redesigned Xbox 360 that features built in Wi-Fi and five USB ports.  It also comes with matching two matching Halo: Reach inspired wireless controllers, 250 GB HDD, black headset, A/V cable, one month XBL Gold membership, and a one year limited warranty.  It is already ranked #9 on Amazon.com's bestseller's list for consoles.

Siren's Verdict: Hands down either of these Halo inspired console bundles do the Halo fan justice.  Each features unique Halo designs and matching accessories.  Pure marketing gold for Microsoft.  Halo is by far one of the biggest money makers for Microsoft and I have no doubt that the Halo: Reach bundled console will sell well because of the new redesigned look of the 360, built in Wi-Fi, and Halo theme-age."

"I think many games that have come out with a console bundled are not really worth it, yes I understand it's a valuable thing for most die-hards and I could see myself getting a Gears of War 3 themed one if they weren't so expensive or if I had money to spend. As for this Halo Reach one, it's a lot better than all the other Xbox 360's that have been "limited edition" so I must say if I didn't already own a Xbox 360 Slim and was in love with the Halo: Reach Beta (which I was not) I would purchase it because I needed a new console."

-UND3RxOATH

Final Fantasy is another epic series that has seen video game console themed bundles on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

The PS3 version of the bundle was released in Japan only and features a white console with a pink design of Lightening, one of the characters in the RPG.  It came with a matching white controller, a 250 GB HDD, and a copy of FFXIII.  Was a 41,600 yen ($458) price tag worth it?

"Normally i dont buy the themed ones, i figure my current one is working fine now so why replace it....."

- StealthyShadows

What about the 360 bundle?  It only featured a standard white console with either a plain white faceplate or a Lightening faceplate (limited numbers) that was designed by Tetsuya Nomura.  Included with the bundle is a 250 GB HDD that is labeled "Final Fantasy XII", two white wireless controllers, an avatar item, and a standard edition copy of FFXIII.  It retailed for $399 on it's release.

Siren's Verdict: While the PS3 version looks better than the 360's version of the bundle, both are a waste.  This is just another excuse for fanboys to argue over who has the best looking FFXIII console.

"I'm happy with my Elite.  Never needed more nor wanted more.  Besides my console is an entertainment center.  I'd never really see what makes it different...."

- Nomadik Kitty

When it comes down to it, the companies that put out these video game themed console bundles know what they are doing.  They know what games will sell and for that reason these overpriced behemoth packages will move not only games, but consoles which means more money in their pockets.  The real question is, are you buying it?