“Play Xbox games — no console required” is the slogan of a bundle sold by Amazon USA for Prime Day, combining Amazon products with items related to Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem.
The offer includes a Fire TV Stick 4K, an Xbox Wireless Controller, and one month of Game Pass Ultimate. The total price is just $90.18, compared to the regular price of $134.97, giving buyers a total savings of $44.79.
No Deals on Hardware?
Unsurprisingly, users in the U.S. quickly noticed the offer, pointing out that there are no similar discounts available for actual Xbox consoles.
This Xbox bundle without a console is quite interesting because it once again emphasizes that Microsoft sees physical consoles as optional accessories. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering how the gaming market is evolving.
It’s easy to imagine that this philosophy will continue into the next generation. The Xbox ecosystem will likely become less tied to a single console family and more focused on running on any screen available, allowing Microsoft to reach as many potential players as possible.
It’s also worth noting that the bundle itself is much cheaper than the consoles, which have become less affordable due to price increases.
Additionally, the included items are useful beyond the bundle: the controller can connect to a wide variety of devices, and the Fire TV Stick 4K provides access to a large selection of multimedia content.
