New Amazon Xbox Bundle Misses a Key Component

An intriguing Xbox gaming bundle is currently available on Amazon, offering a Fire TV Stick, a controller, and a subscription to the Xbox Game Pass service for $78.90, all without the need for an actual Xbox console. This unique bundle from Microsoft showcases the company's growing emphasis on its Game Pass service over traditional console sales, as the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription provides access to over 100 games for a single purchase, delivering exceptional value for players.

Xbox Gaming Without the Console: Amazon's Unique Bundle Offering

While technically still much newer to the scene than Nintendo or Sony, Microsoft's Xbox has been a major success for the company over the years. The original Xbox system didn't thrill everyone, with a giant footprint for the console and an unusual controller that was unwieldy for some players. However, over the years, Xbox has seemingly cemented its place in the gaming scene, serving as a major competitor to both the Sony PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch.

Microsoft's recent direction with Xbox has led to a peculiar bundle being sold on Amazon. This new Xbox gaming bundle doesn't actually include an Xbox console. Instead, the bundle consists of an Xbox controller, an Amazon Fire TV stick, and a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, all for $78.90 for Amazon Prime members. The Fire TV stick is a plug-in device compatible with most modern TVs that allows users to stream content from the internet, including videos, music, and with Xbox Game Pass, Xbox video games.

While this move by Microsoft is in keeping with recent trends, as the company has been placing a greater emphasis on its Game Pass service over traditional console sales, it might still puzzle some gamers who are interested in the full Xbox experience. However, for those who are looking to get started with Xbox gaming without the need for a dedicated console, this bundle could be an attractive and cost-effective option.

Xbox's Changing Priorities

Xbox has been pushing the Game Pass service hard for the last many years, offering players with an active subscription a selection of games to enjoy at their leisure. In some cases, this has included Day 1 releases, bypassing the need to purchase a copy of the game entirely. Streaming games has been a big deal for Xbox, with the company putting some of its efforts into providing services rather than purely focusing on a physical system to gain access to games or said services. This shift in strategy has come as the Xbox Series systems have not been performing as well as the PS5 in terms of console sales.

There are definite benefits to this approach to playing Xbox games rather than buying a console. The $78.90 price point for a streaming stick setup, which includes an Xbox controller and a one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, may sound appealing to many fans compared to the $299 and $449 price tags of the Xbox Series S and X, respectively. However, this option also means that players will need to maintain a subscription, and Xbox Game Pass is going up in price. There are also other ways to access the service without the need for a streaming stick, like playing on a PC. Ultimately, the right decision depends on the player's needs and preferences, as there are more options than ever for accessing Xbox and PC games.