Microsoft and Sony finally made the last details for the Xbox One and PS4 official, and just as quickly as the two could reveal pricing information for the upcoming hardware, many retailers jumped on the preorder bandwagon.
Microsoft was first to announce pricing details at its early morning press conference yesterday. Although much of the video game community was not thrilled with the $499 price tag, retailers were ready to jump at the chance to lock in orders, including GameStop, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Microsoft's Online Store, and plenty of local retailers. GameStop in particular is only offering the console in a bundle with a game. These bundles do not offer any kind of discount, as the hardware retails for $499, the games sell for $60, and the bundles sell for $560.
Each of the retailers taking orders for the Xbox One is selling the Day One Edition. This includes a limited edition controller, a special Day One achievement, premium packaging and a decal. It also comes with exclusive DLC for Ryse: Son of Rome, Forza Motorsport 5, Kinect Sports Rivals and Dead Rising 3.
For the PS4, GameStop, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are also taking preorders. Of course, Sony got a leg up in the battle when it announced a $399 price tag, but time will tell how buyers actually respond to the pricing differences (and other gripes with the Xbox One). GameStop is offering a number of bundles for the system that include one of the launch titles for the system. In fact, just as with the Xbox One, it appears as though the retailer is not selling the console by itself, at least not according to its PS4 page.