Microsoft’s First Xbox One ‘Holiday’ Bundle is a Home Run

I almost – note I said almost – regret purchasing my Xbox One last month. I love Assassins Creed and probably would have bought the new Assassins Creed Xbox One bundle on day one. It is a fantastic value that should appeal to a number of people who are still living in a world without an Xbox One (Who wants to do that!).

A Kinect and Kinect-less bundle are available. For 499.99, consumers will get an Xbox One with Kinect, a download code for Assassins Creed: Unity, a download code for Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag, and a download code for Dance Central Spotlight. For 399.99, consumers will get an Xbox One and download codes for both Assassins Creed games. The Kinect and Dance Central Spotlight are NOT available in the Kinect-less bundle.

Both bundles are great deals, but obviously appeal to a niche market. If you have no desire to play Assassins Creed, this bundle pales in comparison to Microsoft’s awesome deal last month: purchase an Xbox One and get a free game and 50.00 Xbox shop credit. Another downside to this bundle: I’d love to see the Xbox One get a unique skin. Regardless, this is probably going to help Xbox One sales greatly this holiday season.

Michael Pachter estimates that the Xbox One sold 325,000 units last month, a whopping 75,000 more than the PS4. He attributes this mostly to the amazing aforementioned deal from the Microsoft Store. Said Pachter, ““From September 7 through 13, Microsoft offered a free game with the purchase of a new Xbox One at participating retailers.” If Pachter is right, this would only be the second month that Xbox One has outsold the PS4.

Other bundles are available, and perhaps this is all Microsoft has planned. According to CNET, Microsoft VP Yusuf Mehdi said, “We’ve lined up an incredible set of bundles to support the launch of some of the most anticipated game launches of the year, including Assassin’s Creed Unity, Sunset Overdrive and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Combined with our award-winning games lineup this holiday, it’s an incredible time to play on Xbox One. Over the next two months, we look forward to celebrating with fans every week as we launch new games, new bundles and a few surprises for Xbox One.”

Are you getting an Xbox One this holiday? If so, which bundle is best for you? Fortunately, Microsoft is giving consumers a number of great options.