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Microsoft Announces $400 Xbox 360 250GB Kinect Bundle

 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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Microsoft on Wednesday announced a new Kinect bundle that includes the Xbox 360 250GB and a Kinect game for $399.99.

Starting Nov. 4, users can purchased the Xbox 360 250GB console, a Kinect sensor, and the "Kinect Adventures" game as a $400 bundle, Microsoft said.

The slimmer, shinier Xbox with a 250-Gbyte hard drive made its debut at the E3 gaming conference in June. The Kinect-ready Xbox include an updated angular case with a glossy finish, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and HDMI. The standalone 250GB console is available now for $299.99, but users will have to wait until November for the Kinect bundle.

Microsoft also announced Wednesday that Kinect will debut in Japan on Nov. 20. It will be on display at next week's Tokyo Game Show.

Microsoft announced Kinect availability and other pricing bundles in July. As a standalone product, Kinect will launch Nov. 4 in the U.S. for $149.99. It will come with the Kinect sensor and "Kinect Adventures."

For a cheaper Xbox bundle option, users can purchase an Xbox 360 4GB console, the Kinect sensor, and "Kinect Adventures" for $299. The 4GB version of the XBox 360 started shipping on Aug. 3 for $199.99.

Fifteen games like "Kinectimals," "Kinect Sports," and "Kinect JoyRide," will also be available at launch for $49 each.

Pre-orders for those bundles are now being accepted at most major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, GameStop, and the Microsoft Store. Those who pre-order Kinect will get a token to download three exclusive game levels for "Kinect Adventures."

Microsoft did not mention if pre-orders for the Xbox 360 250GB bundle were available; the option does not appear on the Microsoft Store.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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