Xbox’s still in high demand

I just got the last Xbox at the Bellevue Best Buy. The guy at the front door says that they usually are sold out before his shift even starts in the afternoon and that this is the longest he's seen one on the shelf (not even a day). Anyway, the Xbox mailing lists internally are showing that a lot more Xboxes are showing up on retail shelves. What's your experience like? I haven't signed on yet, so don't know my user name yet (I let my old one expire, I don't play that many games, mostly bought this for my son for when he comes to visit in a week). Will do that this weekend. Thanks to Randy Holloway and Brad Wilson, who accompanied me to Best Buy. Lots of geeky fun!

Advertisements

77 thoughts on “Xbox’s still in high demand

  1. I’ve yet to see one in any store I’ve been in (Calgary, AB). Mind you, I haven’t looked very hard since they’re too expensive for my pocketbook right now. A single income family cannot afford much outside the necessities.

    Like

  2. I’ve yet to see one in any store I’ve been in (Calgary, AB). Mind you, I haven’t looked very hard since they’re too expensive for my pocketbook right now. A single income family cannot afford much outside the necessities.

    Like

  3. No worries finding them in Australia, you can walk into pretty much anywhere that sells them and grab one off the shelf. The thing that is a little scarce around here, is the wireless controlers.

    Like

  4. No worries finding them in Australia, you can walk into pretty much anywhere that sells them and grab one off the shelf. The thing that is a little scarce around here, is the wireless controlers.

    Like

  5. I think you have your sources wrong or are intentionally trying to mislead.

    xbox 360s are selling for $170 in Japan (aka the “premium” edition sold in the US) and $60 360 games are selling for $29.

    Like

  6. I think you have your sources wrong or are intentionally trying to mislead.

    xbox 360s are selling for $170 in Japan (aka the “premium” edition sold in the US) and $60 360 games are selling for $29.

    Like

  7. anon: all I can tell you is about the experiences I am having. If you think I’m wrong, go into Best Buy in Bellevue and try to buy one.

    Employees are reporting in from around the world and they are reporting that supplies are getting better, but they are still flying off of the shelves.

    Like

  8. anon: all I can tell you is about the experiences I am having. If you think I’m wrong, go into Best Buy in Bellevue and try to buy one.

    Employees are reporting in from around the world and they are reporting that supplies are getting better, but they are still flying off of the shelves.

    Like

  9. Can’t comment fellas. My roomate bought one from his friend a week after it came out. Had many a fun night of Fight Night Round 3, Ghost Recon, Call of Duty 2, and the latest, Oblivion.

    Hopefully when it comes time for me to buy my own (~September) they’ll be readily available..and maybe modded.

    Like

  10. Can’t comment fellas. My roomate bought one from his friend a week after it came out. Had many a fun night of Fight Night Round 3, Ghost Recon, Call of Duty 2, and the latest, Oblivion.

    Hopefully when it comes time for me to buy my own (~September) they’ll be readily available..and maybe modded.

    Like

  11. The Premiums have been consistently sold out at the Best Buy in Cambridge, MA. I’ve pretty much decided to wait out the summer and try to pick one up when I get back for the fall college semester šŸ˜›

    Like

  12. anon – you must be talking about the “deals” where you sign up for an internet service package for 2 years or something.

    They do the same thing with the DS and other consoles (offer a huge discount for signing those kinds of contracts).

    Like

  13. The Premiums have been consistently sold out at the Best Buy in Cambridge, MA. I’ve pretty much decided to wait out the summer and try to pick one up when I get back for the fall college semester šŸ˜›

    Like

  14. anon – you must be talking about the “deals” where you sign up for an internet service package for 2 years or something.

    They do the same thing with the DS and other consoles (offer a huge discount for signing those kinds of contracts).

    Like

  15. Yeah…the old “I’m buying it for my son, not for me” bit. šŸ™‚ My flatmate has one and since picking up ‘Oblivion’ he’s like a squirrel in winter, just emerging to search for acorns. Or in his case pot noodles.

    Enjoy the 360.

    Like

  16. Yeah…the old “I’m buying it for my son, not for me” bit. šŸ™‚ My flatmate has one and since picking up ‘Oblivion’ he’s like a squirrel in winter, just emerging to search for acorns. Or in his case pot noodles.

    Enjoy the 360.

    Like

  17. Silly question, but how many stores are stocking the XBox 360 packages? If you have a handful of stores stocking 20 (and selling out) as opposed to lots of sotres getting two each, then you’ll get a different buzz on how the sales are doing (I see to remember Pat McVeigh and Ed Colligna engineering a simialr trick with the very first Pilot). Would there be a certain ‘management’ of the stock chain to ensure the buzz is on the good side of ‘flying out the window?’

    Like

  18. Silly question, but how many stores are stocking the XBox 360 packages? If you have a handful of stores stocking 20 (and selling out) as opposed to lots of sotres getting two each, then you’ll get a different buzz on how the sales are doing (I see to remember Pat McVeigh and Ed Colligna engineering a simialr trick with the very first Pilot). Would there be a certain ‘management’ of the stock chain to ensure the buzz is on the good side of ‘flying out the window?’

    Like

  19. A very common problem for gaming journalists, Mike (or technology journalists in general). Namely “do I have to give it back now and actually write a review?” šŸ˜‰

    Like

  20. A very common problem for gaming journalists, Mike (or technology journalists in general). Namely “do I have to give it back now and actually write a review?” šŸ˜‰

    Like

  21. Here’s my Xbox 360 story for the week: I had a dream sunday night that I was in a BestBuy getting an Xbox 360. Monday I call the local BestBuy and the lady on the phone says, “Oh yea – we got 50 core and 50 premiums in on Friday – I think we have about 30 of each left.”

    Needless to say, by 6pm Monday night I was deep into building up some power on Tiger Woods. The thing is out of this world – truly.

    Like

  22. Here’s my Xbox 360 story for the week: I had a dream sunday night that I was in a BestBuy getting an Xbox 360. Monday I call the local BestBuy and the lady on the phone says, “Oh yea – we got 50 core and 50 premiums in on Friday – I think we have about 30 of each left.”

    Needless to say, by 6pm Monday night I was deep into building up some power on Tiger Woods. The thing is out of this world – truly.

    Like

  23. My experience was that I returned the damn thing soon after I got it, deciding that backwards compatibility should mean something other than being compatible with only 13 percent of my existing library. Covered over here on my personal blog: http://daggle.com/060131-111336.html. We had to wait forever to get them in the UK. I don’t think we have shortages over here any longer. Might go back to it down the line; then again, might just wait (longer) for the PS3. If Microsoft effectively wants me to have two different game boxes, might as well start my HD game experience with someone else. Really bad marketing, too, because I was big Xbox fan.

    Like

  24. My experience was that I returned the damn thing soon after I got it, deciding that backwards compatibility should mean something other than being compatible with only 13 percent of my existing library. Covered over here on my personal blog: http://daggle.com/060131-111336.html. We had to wait forever to get them in the UK. I don’t think we have shortages over here any longer. Might go back to it down the line; then again, might just wait (longer) for the PS3. If Microsoft effectively wants me to have two different game boxes, might as well start my HD game experience with someone else. Really bad marketing, too, because I was big Xbox fan.

    Like

  25. I also thought I had the best Saturday of my life last week, when I got one of the two Xbox 360 Premiums that were on the shelf in the local Target. I came back a few days later, and another one had replaced the one I bought, and there were still two on the shelf.

    Oh well. Supply issues solved I hope. Ghost Recon is still incredible.

    Like

  26. I also thought I had the best Saturday of my life last week, when I got one of the two Xbox 360 Premiums that were on the shelf in the local Target. I came back a few days later, and another one had replaced the one I bought, and there were still two on the shelf.

    Oh well. Supply issues solved I hope. Ghost Recon is still incredible.

    Like

  27. I actually picked mine up in a really small mom and pop shop in Brockport NY for the actual price! I was surprised considering the only other place i could find the 360 was the bigger stores and they only had the core version and I needed to buy two games and a controller. The cost was $600 a well for the package!

    Luckily I didn’t have to pay that much for mine. I paid $400 for the hard drive version.

    Like

  28. I actually picked mine up in a really small mom and pop shop in Brockport NY for the actual price! I was surprised considering the only other place i could find the 360 was the bigger stores and they only had the core version and I needed to buy two games and a controller. The cost was $600 a well for the package!

    Luckily I didn’t have to pay that much for mine. I paid $400 for the hard drive version.

    Like

  29. I’ve been half heartedly looking for a 360 for the last couple of months. I had hoped to find them at Costco, but I haven’t been lucky enough to show up on the days their shipments come in. But earlier this week after a failed Costco trip I wondered over to Best Buy in Silverdale (WA). Sure enough, they had a bunch of each variety. But I left without one.

    Why? Because the sales-kiddy working for Best Buy assured me I needed to purchase their $50 replacement warrantee. As usual, I declined his offer but then he went on to tell me that 35% of the 360’s come back to the store defective and he saw three come back just earlier that afternoon.

    Do I believe him? Probably not. But either way I wasn’t going to make a purchase after that. So I’ll continue to wait until Costco has their bundle available again. Costco has _never_ tried to make me buy an extended warrantee to be comfortable going home with something I purchased there.

    Like

  30. I’ve been half heartedly looking for a 360 for the last couple of months. I had hoped to find them at Costco, but I haven’t been lucky enough to show up on the days their shipments come in. But earlier this week after a failed Costco trip I wondered over to Best Buy in Silverdale (WA). Sure enough, they had a bunch of each variety. But I left without one.

    Why? Because the sales-kiddy working for Best Buy assured me I needed to purchase their $50 replacement warrantee. As usual, I declined his offer but then he went on to tell me that 35% of the 360’s come back to the store defective and he saw three come back just earlier that afternoon.

    Do I believe him? Probably not. But either way I wasn’t going to make a purchase after that. So I’ll continue to wait until Costco has their bundle available again. Costco has _never_ tried to make me buy an extended warrantee to be comfortable going home with something I purchased there.

    Like

  31. I have seen them on a shelf at Best buy here in Columbus as well.

    Scoble, if you don’t play often, you will love the arcade games. They are so easy to pick up and play, and cheap too. I almost easy to put down, but that isn’t always true.

    Even if you only get a free Silver account for yourself, I think that you should post your gamertag. Comparing your gamerscore and acheivements to your friends and family is part of the fun.

    Enjoy!

    Like

  32. I have seen them on a shelf at Best buy here in Columbus as well.

    Scoble, if you don’t play often, you will love the arcade games. They are so easy to pick up and play, and cheap too. I almost easy to put down, but that isn’t always true.

    Even if you only get a free Silver account for yourself, I think that you should post your gamertag. Comparing your gamerscore and acheivements to your friends and family is part of the fun.

    Enjoy!

    Like

  33. I’m trying not to be critical/judgmental about your personal life, but in reading your blog for technical information I often end up reading these type of posts, which I’ll admit, are sometimes interesting.
    However, every time I see a post like this I think to myself that you should seriously check out the book Affluenza.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576753573/sr=8-1/qid=1144254327/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0223676-1389752?%5Fencoding=UTF8

    or http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/

    The movie’s incredibly cheesy, but it’s easier than the book to tackle. It’s often available on ILL from your local library.

    Just a thought that keeps crossing my mind and thank you for your entries.

    Like

  34. I’m trying not to be critical/judgmental about your personal life, but in reading your blog for technical information I often end up reading these type of posts, which I’ll admit, are sometimes interesting.
    However, every time I see a post like this I think to myself that you should seriously check out the book Affluenza.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576753573/sr=8-1/qid=1144254327/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0223676-1389752?%5Fencoding=UTF8

    or http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/

    The movie’s incredibly cheesy, but it’s easier than the book to tackle. It’s often available on ILL from your local library.

    Just a thought that keeps crossing my mind and thank you for your entries.

    Like

  35. Supply issues not solved in Peoria…nor Sacramento, firsthand reports. Seems best around Seattle, or maybe just the only still remaining demand, had a loaner for awhile, less desire to slurp up one myself, but now back in the mood given some of the games.

    Always been more the XBMC functionality type for my video and display purposes (prevents rendering for quick demos, event coverage quick kick up etc.) but 360 doesn’t support all the video recode high-compression formats, assuming in a typical Microsoft fashion, that all that use such are but movie pirates. Sigh.

    Like

  36. Supply issues not solved in Peoria…nor Sacramento, firsthand reports. Seems best around Seattle, or maybe just the only still remaining demand, had a loaner for awhile, less desire to slurp up one myself, but now back in the mood given some of the games.

    Always been more the XBMC functionality type for my video and display purposes (prevents rendering for quick demos, event coverage quick kick up etc.) but 360 doesn’t support all the video recode high-compression formats, assuming in a typical Microsoft fashion, that all that use such are but movie pirates. Sigh.

    Like

  37. yeah geeky fun is right, RS! But take a look at Xbox.com – they just added the ability to send friends requests from the website.

    And Gamertags are connected w/ .net passport logins.

    And MSN Spaces added Xbox 360 modules, with current info about recent games played, achievements, etc.

    These are different groups at MS converging to make this connected experience happen. What’ll it look like 2 years from now?

    Michael: maybe – if MS opens up RSS and APIs, we’ll see gaming merge w/ Web 2.0 in interesting ways…

    Like

  38. yeah geeky fun is right, RS! But take a look at Xbox.com – they just added the ability to send friends requests from the website.

    And Gamertags are connected w/ .net passport logins.

    And MSN Spaces added Xbox 360 modules, with current info about recent games played, achievements, etc.

    These are different groups at MS converging to make this connected experience happen. What’ll it look like 2 years from now?

    Michael: maybe – if MS opens up RSS and APIs, we’ll see gaming merge w/ Web 2.0 in interesting ways…

    Like

  39. Picked mine up about two weeks ago…the last one in Circuit City. I just checked yesterday and saw four core systems in the Walmart here. Also, the local Gamestop has 10 Premium’s and 10 Core systems in stock. BTW, they’re running a “get $80 off an Xbox 360 when you bring in your original generation Xbox” deal. If you’re in or near Bellingham, WA you’ll want to check those places, as well as the local Target, since they’re getting regular shipments.

    As far as experience, you’ll want to see if for yourself. There are very cool things going on at Xbox.com, including web-based friends management and more. Let me or one of the Xbox MVP’s know if you need any help or have any questions. If you or Patrick want any online gaming send me (Rainmaker2112) or my son (Merc4hireV2) a friend request.

    BTW, you’ll definately want to check out the Xbox Live arcade, since there are alot of old arcade favorites, including Marble Blast Ultra (like the old Marble Madness), Joust, Galaxian, Wik, Bankshot Billards, and Trixie’s favorite…Zuma. Even if you don’t get into the other games, the arcade is worth it. BTW, in a recent interview Bill Gates says that the arcade games are huge favorites for him and his family.

    Glad to have you online Robert and Patrick.

    Like

  40. Picked mine up about two weeks ago…the last one in Circuit City. I just checked yesterday and saw four core systems in the Walmart here. Also, the local Gamestop has 10 Premium’s and 10 Core systems in stock. BTW, they’re running a “get $80 off an Xbox 360 when you bring in your original generation Xbox” deal. If you’re in or near Bellingham, WA you’ll want to check those places, as well as the local Target, since they’re getting regular shipments.

    As far as experience, you’ll want to see if for yourself. There are very cool things going on at Xbox.com, including web-based friends management and more. Let me or one of the Xbox MVP’s know if you need any help or have any questions. If you or Patrick want any online gaming send me (Rainmaker2112) or my son (Merc4hireV2) a friend request.

    BTW, you’ll definately want to check out the Xbox Live arcade, since there are alot of old arcade favorites, including Marble Blast Ultra (like the old Marble Madness), Joust, Galaxian, Wik, Bankshot Billards, and Trixie’s favorite…Zuma. Even if you don’t get into the other games, the arcade is worth it. BTW, in a recent interview Bill Gates says that the arcade games are huge favorites for him and his family.

    Glad to have you online Robert and Patrick.

    Like

  41. My boyfriend and I got ours back in December, and it’s awesome!!! I’m suprised nobody has talked about Perfect Dark Zero, it’s an awesome game, and the multi-player version is amazing too. You get to play with like 32 people at a time.

    Also, you can add your gamerscore card to your Google homepage now too, it’s neat.

    Hope you and your son enjoy the 360!

    Like

  42. My boyfriend and I got ours back in December, and it’s awesome!!! I’m suprised nobody has talked about Perfect Dark Zero, it’s an awesome game, and the multi-player version is amazing too. You get to play with like 32 people at a time.

    Also, you can add your gamerscore card to your Google homepage now too, it’s neat.

    Hope you and your son enjoy the 360!

    Like

  43. I had to return 2 of them before I could get one that didn’t overheat. Very frustrating. But the one I have now is terrific, and if you have a young son as I have, the Arcade games are sufficient without getting involved in the overly-complicated games.

    So I guess that’s a 66% return rate for me!

    Like

  44. I had to return 2 of them before I could get one that didn’t overheat. Very frustrating. But the one I have now is terrific, and if you have a young son as I have, the Arcade games are sufficient without getting involved in the overly-complicated games.

    So I guess that’s a 66% return rate for me!

    Like

  45. One of the key factors in the overheating is that people have been putting their Xbox 360’s on the carpet or in a small space without ventilation. If you have to put it on the floor then put it on a piece of wood or book that won’t impede the airflow. Also, make sure you do the same for the power supply brick, since it can cause overheating if blocked or impeded too.

    BTW, Pelican has an Xbox 360 stand than includes a fan to help increase the airflow. You can find it at most stores that carry Xbox 360 accessories, including Best Buy, Target, etc.

    I haven’t had any problems with mine and it’s been running 20-22 hours a day x 7 days a week x 30 days.

    Like

  46. One of the key factors in the overheating is that people have been putting their Xbox 360’s on the carpet or in a small space without ventilation. If you have to put it on the floor then put it on a piece of wood or book that won’t impede the airflow. Also, make sure you do the same for the power supply brick, since it can cause overheating if blocked or impeded too.

    BTW, Pelican has an Xbox 360 stand than includes a fan to help increase the airflow. You can find it at most stores that carry Xbox 360 accessories, including Best Buy, Target, etc.

    I haven’t had any problems with mine and it’s been running 20-22 hours a day x 7 days a week x 30 days.

    Like

  47. I had mine quit reading game discs after a month. Just got it back, but I’m hyperparanoid about it flaking out again. But outside that & some pretty glaring bugs in the games I’ve played, it’s been really nice.

    Like

  48. I had mine quit reading game discs after a month. Just got it back, but I’m hyperparanoid about it flaking out again. But outside that & some pretty glaring bugs in the games I’ve played, it’s been really nice.

    Like

  49. I’ve had my xbox since last year. Waited a long time in line for it. It has frozen twice in the half a year or so that I’ve had it but has been working fine otherwise.

    I’ve been sending ideas in to the xbox team which I thought were pretty good, (xbox.live.com which when populated let’s you read RSS feeds on your xbox was one idea) but of course I never get any type of return email or note or anything when I send in feedback. I wonder how many people have had that or a different experience.

    At any rate, the xbox is absolutely great. I’m a firm beleiver that the reason for the PS3 getting delayed is not DRM for BR, but inability to match xbox live 2.0

    My online tag is Mystopas, anyone please feel free to send me a friend request. You’ll find having friends on live will make your experience that much better.

    Like

  50. I’ve had my xbox since last year. Waited a long time in line for it. It has frozen twice in the half a year or so that I’ve had it but has been working fine otherwise.

    I’ve been sending ideas in to the xbox team which I thought were pretty good, (xbox.live.com which when populated let’s you read RSS feeds on your xbox was one idea) but of course I never get any type of return email or note or anything when I send in feedback. I wonder how many people have had that or a different experience.

    At any rate, the xbox is absolutely great. I’m a firm beleiver that the reason for the PS3 getting delayed is not DRM for BR, but inability to match xbox live 2.0

    My online tag is Mystopas, anyone please feel free to send me a friend request. You’ll find having friends on live will make your experience that much better.

    Like

  51. Yesterday I went to a Best Buy here in Miami and they had more than 60 in stock. I didn’t buy it because I want to buy the MacBook Pro, but I think I will go today and pick one up. šŸ™‚

    Like

  52. Yesterday I went to a Best Buy here in Miami and they had more than 60 in stock. I didn’t buy it because I want to buy the MacBook Pro, but I think I will go today and pick one up. šŸ™‚

    Like

  53. Heh, wait till you get Oblivion šŸ™‚ Never has a game been so aptly named, it’s like an endless adventure, you look at the dvd in wonder, trying to figure out how they fit this world onto a DVD šŸ™‚

    BTW Oblivion and GRAW are the only two games that do the xbox 360 credit.

    Like

  54. Heh, wait till you get Oblivion šŸ™‚ Never has a game been so aptly named, it’s like an endless adventure, you look at the dvd in wonder, trying to figure out how they fit this world onto a DVD šŸ™‚

    BTW Oblivion and GRAW are the only two games that do the xbox 360 credit.

    Like

Comments are closed.