Microsoft is emailing links to purchase an Xbox Series X bundle from its online store

If you’re looking for an Xbox Series X, you might want to check your inbox. As we noted last fall, Microsoft has occasionally reached out to Microsoft Store customers, offering a “limited supply of Xbox Series X bundles” that are available to “valued Microsoft customers” in the United States.

Emails are directed to Microsoft Store customers and bundles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Microsoft limits orders to one bundle per order or two bundles per 30-day period. Links to order a bundle are unique and linked to a Microsoft account and do not always guarantee that inventory is available for purchase.

These Xbox Series X consoles are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will sell out quickly. The limit is one lot per order and two lots per 30 day period. Since supply is limited, receiving this email does not guarantee that there will be consoles left when you attempt to purchase. If you try to buy and see a message that the lot is not available, it means that we have run out of stock.

To purchase, you must have a valid Microsoft account and sign in. Your unique link in this email is valid for your Microsoft account only, and the account must be associated with the email address that received this message.

*Microsoft initially required buyers to purchase a game at the standard price, even though many of them are on sale. It has since updated package prices to match the lowest prices available.*

There is a downside to the “bundle” offer, however – access requires the purchase of a digital game and an additional controller. Paying $59.99 for a second controller raises the price, but that’s the same as they typically cost between occasional sales.

When I got the email on Tuesday, I complained that the digital game requirement looked like a scam, with only a few titles to choose from and prices that could be more than double what you’d pay on the Microsoft’s Xbox Store. Options included Madden NFL 22, Far Cry 6, and Battlefield 2042 for $69.99, though Xbox owners can buy them digitally for $20.99, $35.99, or $45.49, respectively. GTA V was a cheaper option at $29.99, but it’s on sale right now for $14.99.

However, since January 26, Microsoft has updated the offer. It now offers discounted sale prices for games and controllers, which makes this bundle much easier to recommend. That still requires spending a bit more on top of the system’s $499.99 price tag, but at least you’re not paying more for games than you otherwise would.

Microsoft's updated pricing still requires a game and controller to be added, but now the pricing matches the deals you'd see in the Xbox Store — *Microsoft’s updated pricing still requires a game and controller to be added, but now the pricing matches the deals you’d see in the Xbox Store*

Much like Sony saw with the PlayStation 5, sending links to accounts for gamers who actually play is a way to help consoles reach people who want them directly instead of retailers. While reseller prices for next-gen systems have fallen since Black Friday, recent sales have come and gone quickly, so if you’re lucky, this might be the easiest way to pick up a new console. . Unfortunately, even if you’re one of the chosen few, there’s always an additional charge.

Updated January 26, 2:20 p.m. ET: Updated to reflect Microsoft adjusted prices for games and controllers to match current sale prices.