That is a good deal.

While I'm not sure what the link you posted said (it's blocked from work) I can post this news release here:


Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Inventory Surge and Spring Games LineupXbox Live on Xbox 360 speeds past 10 million downloads.

REDMOND, Wash. — March 21, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the broader availability of Xbox 360™ consoles and provided details about the new games and entertainment experiences available to gamers this season.

Beginning this week, Microsoft will distribute two to three times the number of Xbox 360 consoles to the retail channel weekly. With component supplies in full production and third manufacturing partner Celestica Inc. now producing the next-generation console along with partners Wistron Corp. and Flextronics Corp., Microsoft is producing more Xbox 360 consoles than ever.

"Today we have turned a major corner," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “With more consoles on their way to retail, 80 games available by June, and new content and experiences coming to Xbox Live® all the time, there has never been a better time to own an Xbox 360."

Blockbuster Games on the Way
The Xbox 360 games portfolio expands this spring with new next-generation titles from leading developers and publishers that cater to every genre, age, skill level and budget. Gamers can choose from a range of truly next-generation games such as "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games), an Xbox 360 console exclusive with beautiful next-generation graphics and a huge world to explore; "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" (Ubisoft Entertainment SA), the latest version of the successful Tom Clancy series that once again pushes the boundaries of multiplayer boundaries on Xbox Live; and "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" (Eidos Interactive Ltd.), the next-generation debut of the very popular Lara Croft series.

In addition, new titles are coming to Xbox Live Arcade all the time, including "Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting," "Uno" and the free full version of "Texas Hold ’Em Poker" by Riverbelle. Great titles that gamers can expect this season include these:
• "2006 FIFA World Cup™" (EA SPORTS)
• "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" (Electronic Arts Inc.)
• "Blazing Angels" (Ubisoft)
• "Burnout Revenge" (Electronic Arts)
• "Dynasty Warriors® 5 Empires" (KOEI)
• "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games)
• "Far Cry Instincts Predator" (Ubisoft)
• "FINAL FANTASY® XI" (Square Enix Inc.)
• "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter" (Ubisoft)
• "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend" (Eidos)
• "Major League Baseball 2K6" (2K Sports)
• "The Outfit™" (THQ)
• "Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis" (Rockstar Games)
• "Rumble Roses XX™" (Konami)
• "Top Spin 2" (2K Sports)
• "X-Men: The Official Game" (Activision)

In addition to new games, consumers can extend the experience of existing Xbox 360 titles with new downloadable content available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft Game Studios confirmed new content for "Project Gotham Racing® 3," including exciting cars and achievements. Fans of "Perfect Dark: Zero™" will have access to additional content, including downloadable multiplayer maps. In addition, the unique experience of "Kameo™: Elements of Power™" will be extended through new online cooperative gameplay options and exciting new costumes for Kameo and her warriors.

Xbox Live Digital Content Distribution Sets Records
Xbox Live Marketplace, a digital download center freely accessible to any Xbox 360 owner with a broadband connection, has reached more than 10 million downloads faster than iTunes did when it launched. In fact, more than 85 percent of connected Xbox 360 consoles have already downloaded content from Xbox Live Marketplace — everything from game demos and arcade titles to premier movie trailers and music videos.
Xbox 360 will continue to deliver new online gaming and entertainment experiences including the "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat" game demo (Electronic Arts), the "Burnout Revenge" game trailer (Electronic Arts), and the "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" Horse Armor Pack (Bethesda Softworks/2K Games), which will all be available this spring on Xbox Live Marketplace.

"getting old" or not, it's the truth. Microsoft has made about 1/2 dozen statements about the shortages since the launch. Enough with the statements...just make the freakin things! Nothing will speak louder and stronger than having units on the shelves.

The 360 experience has shown me that videogaming has come a long way since the Atari and Intellivision days... and has also sunk a lot lower too. I can't think of an industry where hype and lies are as integral to it as it is in videogaming.

Note to Microsoft: 3 times zero is still ZERO!

You do realize they are producing more than 0 consoles right? I can walk into the kmart here anytime and get one. I haven't checked out the walmart video game section in a long time since they are a little more distanced than the Kmart. As someone pointed out here before, many of us on this site have them too, so there are more than 0 out there.

Yeah, I know. I got a friend in upstate NY who says he can walk into any store and get one too. I'm just bitter I can't get one. (no, I do not want a bundle or order one through the mail).

Heads up. Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha had about 50 Premiums and 50 Cores if you live in the area today.

What the hell is that place? Is it like a huge department store that only had furniture at one time but it has become like a meijer or something?

It's probably the biggest furniture/electronics store in the country(stand alone). It has it's own campus that covers several city blocks and mutiple buildings. It was started in the 30's I believe and it grew out of control. Warren Buffet owns part now. Anyway, it has a 100,000 sq. ft. electronics store that has everything you could ever want. It's just a cool place to go beside Best Buy or Circuit City on Tuesdays.

P.S. They sold 2 giant flat screens last year for $100,000 during the Berkshire Hathaway investor gathering. I think they were 84'' or something close to that.

Oh yea...I saw where over yonder at the Arkansas Pig Slop Supply that they had 25 Premo's on the shelf.


Kenny J. - Buzz

Not in the midwest, apparently. Every time I stop into the mall, Target, Best Buy, TRU, etc. I check to see if there are ANY on the shelves. And the answer has been the same EVERY SINGLE TIME since launch. NONE. So I'm happy that AZ is overflowing with 360's, but I have yet to see one in person out here.

LMAO!!! that was my first thought

Yep. Out of all the people I know in San Diego, I only know of ONE who has a 360. ONE PERSON out of the hundreds of people that I know (and that's not counting all the other people that I come in contact with through work, clubs, bars, gyms, & other places I frequent).

To be fair, I also have a friend who claims to have a friend who has one. So technically, I guess I know of two people that own a 360.

The shelves at the stores are stocked with tons of 360 games though. Tons of them. But they can't sell them because no one has the console!

Well...today was the end of an era.

I was on my way back from a client meeting and stopped at the local Target. On a whim, I thought I'd see what the 360 situation was like during the day at an out of the way place, and, well, would you look at that. TWO Core systems on the shelf.

No Premiums, of course, and no Hard Drives either. So no purchase from me. But I can honestly say that, after dozens of visits to stores since launch day, I have FINALLY seen an Xbox 360 with my own two eyes.

Will wonders never cease?

Well, did you buy it?

There is your answer xmiyux

Reading comprehension - bah. That is what i get for trying to respond and run from guards at the same time. Temple people are so touchy when you try to steal religious statuary from them.

FYI, for those in the area, I was in a Minneapolis-area Costco today and a little birdie (ok, a sales rep) told me that a few are on order and should arrive within the next couple days. I assume it's the same bundle that they sell online.

Oh yea...I saw where over yonder at the Arkansas Pig Slop Supply that they had 25 Premo's on the shelf.


Kenny J. - Buzz

Well, Jones I was offering advice on topic to this thread. This is a large metro area contrary to your remark and I'm sure some people reading this thread live here. What exactly was your point or are you just being an internet tough guy?

At lunch I was in Best Buy and I saw a big sign in the Xbox area.

"Xbox 360 Core available. Hard disks available".

So for me that's it. If they are fully available in Best Buy there is no more shortage.

I can vouch, as someone who has played with Buzz in Halo, that he is under no circumstances a tough guy. As a matter of fact, he makes a nice punching bag.

Yeah, but who's going to go to a Best Buy that's located in "Picture a cup in the middle of the sea"?

yeah, that's what I was thinking...

I'm in San Jose, California, Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area. So if it's available in Silicon Valley it should be available everywhere, isn't it?

No pun intended but it was all meant to be a jest make a point that at some places you would never think of having an 360 or anything else that say looks slightly out of place. The other part was that some will get in the 360 craze just to make a buck while countless gamers continue to search at theirs wits end to locate one. All the while there are several at some of the most inconspicuous places. For all I know the "Hew Haw Motel" (yes there is one) 10 miles away may have them.


Kenny J. - Buzz