Toys R Us to sell Xbox 360s with obligatory DVD bundles

GamesIndustry.biz has learned that Toys R Us will force customers who want to take an Xbox 360 home when the console launches tomorrow to purchase bundles which include specified games and DVDs.

Several customer representatives from Toys R Us branches across the country confirmed to GI.biz that the bundles will start at GBP 299 for the Xbox 360 core system (which does not include a hard drive), a 64MB memory unit, Ubisoft's King Kong and two DVDs - Bend it Like Beckham and The Italian Job..

Alternatively, consumers can purchase a GBP 349 bundle comprised of the core system, memory unit, King Kong and Perfect Dark Zero, plus The Italian Job, The Last Samurai and Swordfish DVDs.

Premium system bundles will start at GBP 399 for an Xbox 360 with hard drive, King Kong, Amped 3 and two DVDs. The most expensive bundle, at GBP 450, replaces Amped 3 with Project Gotham Racing 3 and comes with three DVDs.

In stores where it is available outside a bundle, the core system retails for GBP 209.99 while the premium system is GBP 279.99. The memory unit is GBP 22.99, and games carry an RRP of GBP 49.99.

Which means consumers purchasing, for example, the most expensive bundle will be paying more than GBP 23 for DVDs like Swordfish - a film which is available from retailers such as Amazon for as little as GBP 5.97.

There also seems to be some confusion over whether all Xbox 360 buyers will have to purchase a bundle. One store told GI.biz that customers who pre-ordered their console would not be required to buy one of the bundles and could simply take home the standalone system - while another branch said that the rule would apply to all customers, even if they did not sign up for a bundle when they pre-ordered.

A third store said that pricing for systems and bundles was yet to be confirmed, even though the console is due to launch in less than 24 hours, adding that more information would be available later in the day.

Toys R Us head office did not respond to requests for comment.