Blockbuster Xbox One Deal for Upgrades Arrives 

Microsoft’s Xbox One entertainment and video game console isn’t getting any cheaper thanks to deals from Microsoft itself. That isn’t stopping video game retailer GameStop from offering an amazing Xbox One deal for those looking to upgrade right now.

Earlier this month GameStop began offering deep discounts on the Xbox One to anyone willing to trade-in their older Xbox 360 to finance their upgrade. According to the company’s trade-in website, anyone who trades in an Xbox 360 with 250GB of storage or more gets $125 in in-store GameStop credit. That credit is then applied to the purchase of the Xbox One, which sells for $349, $150 more than it did when it launched back in 2013. To be clear, that $349 model is for the Xbox One that doesn’t include a Kinect 2 sensor. A model with Kinect costs $499 from GameStop, the same as it does anywhere else since Microsoft stopped discounting the bundle by $50.

As with all deals, there are some caveats. First Microsoft says that anyone in search of the $125 in credit absolutely has to apply it toward an new Xbox One console. That restriction means that users can’t trade in their console and then try to use the credit towards a PS4 or more games for another system. Second, GameStop won’t take broken Xbox 360 consoles as part of this Xbox One deal. That’s big as GameStop normally takes trades-ins of damaged consoles too. GameStop notes that those who do bring in their broken Xbox 360 console could be eligible for a trade-in offer of lesser value. Additionally, consoles being traded in need their power cable, and a single wireless controller.

Users who plan on taking this opportunity to upgrade their Xbox One console should definitely hurry. GameStop is limiting trade-ins for the deal to its retail stores. Also, console trade-ins return to their normal value on April 25th, just five days from today. All told, it’s a great deal for anyone looking to play this summer and fall’s must-have Xbox One games. Getting the Xbox One for just $225 was unthinkable just a year ago. Microsoft has big exclusives planned later this year that’ll only be available on Xbox, like Halo 5: Guardians. June’s Batman: Arkham Knight will only be available on the PS4 or Xbox One.

In theory, anyone making the purchase now should have everything they need to get going with their new Xbox One. Whereas the first version of the console didn’t include a free game, the $349 version on store shelves now does. Local GameStop stores might still have the Assassin’s Creed Unity Xbox One bundle from last fall. This spring’s Xbox One bundle includes a completely digital copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Really, Master Chief Collection is four separate games all rolled into one. It offers Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2: Halo 3 and Halo 4 in one package. Soon Microsoft plans to add Halo 3: ODST to the game as a free update. The story and multiplayer from each game is included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Read: Xbox One Buying Guide – Which Xbox One Should You Buy?

Every Xbox One comes with a power cable to plug into the wall and an HDMI plug to connect to their television. Also included is a single Xbox One wireless controller and a wired Xbox One Chat headset. Purchasing the Xbox One without a Kinect sensor is fine for anyone who doesn’t like voice commands and isn’t planning on connecting it to their cable box. Users who want to take advantage of the console’s live television features and controller-free games will need the sensor. Buying a Kinect separately costs users $150 extra.