Microsoft Xbox 360 With Kinect Only $99, Only At 16 US Microsoft Stores

By Michael Nunez | May 07 2012 6:55 PM

The Microsoft Xbox 360 with Kinect is just $99 -- only if you're able to get to one of the 16 participating Microsoft stores in the United States. The $99 deal, which was highly publicized prior to its official release, offers customers an Xbox 360 with 4GB of storage, a Microsoft Kinect and requires a two-year Xbox Live contract at $14.99 per month.

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Remember when we said Microsoft has "big plans" for the future of its Xbox console? With the Electronic Entertainment Expo beginning tomorrow, June 5th, rumors about what the video game industry will unveil are starting to heat up. One of the most recent speculations to surface involves plans from Microsoft to offer a new feature that will stream Xbox 360 content from games directly to a mobile phone or tablet.

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The catch?

There's a very limited number of supplies at participating Microsoft Stores. On May 7, we launched a pilot program at Microsoft Stores in the United States to test a new pricing model for the Xbox 360, said a Microsoft spokesperson in a Joystiq interview.

The price of the deal after adding up all the costs is about $460 ($99 up front, plus $14.99 monthly subscription for two years), which is significantly higher than the standard price of the Xbox 360 with Kinect at just $299.

The key difference between the standard price and the $99 deal is the cost of Xbox Live. If you're a user who plans to subscribe to Xbox Live, you could save significant cash by purchasing a bundle and then Xbox Live separately. Standard two-year subscriptions to Xbox Live cost $59.99. In the long run, if you're able to pay the money up front, you're better off getting the normal-priced Xbox.

If you decide to purchase one of the $99 deals, you also run the risk of quitting Xbox Live early. Microsoft charges a termination fee, which could be up to $250 depending on how much time is left on your contract.