Taken from trustworthy members at another forum, apparently there has been a SKU assigned in Walmart's system (and EB's, also) of an upcoming Mech Assault/Splinter Cell bundle. I would imagine most would consider this an upgrade from last year's Sega one.

Just something to factor in if you're debating whether, or when, to buy this console.

Whoa, that would be a great deal if it does happen...

I thought MechAssault was going to be bundled with the Live Starter Kit #3. There's no way it would be bundled with both.

IF this is true, it would be what pushes me over the edge to get the XBox. If.

I've never heard anything about an Xbox Live kit #3. And even if they had announced that, it's not like it's set in stone.

Use the extra games to entice people into buying the system. Then some will think, "Well, I've got this XBL game. You know, I should consider signing up."

Including it in the kit just rewards people who were planning to go online anyway... I doubt anybody already with an Xbox who's not interested in online play would see a MechAssault/Live kit bundle and, all of a sudden, say, "I've gotta have that!"


[By the way, the Walmart inventory system apparently shows this as: Mech/Cell XBOX Bundle Item #:506407 $179.94.

If there are any doubters (I remember last Christmas posting here the words of trusted sources in retail about holiday sales numbers, only to get ridiculously challenged), feel free to try to get somebody at Walmart to check their system for this number.]

I read the same thing about MA coming with the next xbox live kit. I think there was an article at teamxbox.com about it

Maybe this is an after Thanksgiving limited edition to Walmart special.

It would be a hot item after Thanksgiving especially at $179 or lower.

xbox and ps2 price coming down to $149 shortly...

I think you've incorrectly predicted this about the past 3 holiday seasons.

Hey, eventually he'll be right.

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

Unless he's a 24 hour clock

No, an employee at EB says it's in their system, also.

If Nintendo moves on the GameCube like they are predicted to in late September that might give MS and Sony impetance to drop the price to $149.

I'm not calling anyone a liar here, but it's impossible that both the xbox console and the Live starter kit will come with the same game, so by default, somebody has their info wrong.

I guess you prefaced your statement with the above because of what I wrote earlier about doubters.

That wasn't directed toward you. I just remembered last year posting behind the scenes retail info and being challenged (mainly by someone whose name I haven't seen in a while) because it's "not official" and 'we don't know the source; they could be lying', etc, etc.

It put a bit of a damper on posting such material here afterwards.

Why is it impossible?

For the simple reason that it would essentially scare any new Xbox owners from buying a Live kit. Yes, you still get the service and hardware, and yes, there will be people who want the Live kit and don't have the new console bundle, but realistically, most current Xbox owners who want the Live kits will either already have them or get them soon. It would be insane to target new Xbox owners to buy the Live kit by packaging it with the one game they already have. That's worse than not having any game packaged at all (which sounds counter-intuitive, but the consumer will think he's paying for a second copy of the same game).

Take my word on this. It won't happen like that.

If they do bundle those games (or even just Splinter Cell), they'll do pretty well.

And I'd be very suprised if Splinter Cell is bundled for another reason : It's available on multiple platforms. Certainly it looks the best on Xbox, but you have to figure that some potential Xbox customers already have the game for the PC, PS2 or GC and what I wrote above about scaring off consumers applies again. I don't think any console has ever been bundled with a non-exclusive game (but I could be wrong).

Maybe this is an in-store thing like what Wal Mart did last year with Amped?

lol

Once again, this bundle is apparently in Electronic Boutique's system, too... not just Walmart's.

I don't know if this is just in Canada but the Xbox has been bundled with Halo & Amped for a very long time and is still readily available.

The Xbox Splinter Cell/MechAssault bundle is now advertised in Walmart. There should be a (relatively tiny) sticker on the glass in the Xbox area, if my local one is any indication.

Figures, since I just bought one.

Oh well, at least they're both games I have zero interest in and would have just traded/sold anyway.

wow, imagine that, you were right!

Now let's see all those people who doubted you, come back in this thread and apologize. Oh wait, they won't.

"Impetance"??????????

Hmm.. Maybe I'll get one one of these as an xmas gift..