After spending time with all three next-gen gaming systems, I finally decided on picking up a Xbox 360 last November. At the time, Micro Center’s deal seemed too good to be true ($200 for a $400 system) and involved playing Rebate Roulette. Fortunately for me, I won — in about 10 weeks I received two $100 checks. That one above just arrived today, actually ahead of when they had promised.
Knowing what I know now, I would have gladly paid full price for the 360: Xbox Live is so well executed and the new video downloads are a keeper (even if they use fake Microsoft currency and the selection is thin). Maybe I’ll just dump that bonus $200 into a HD-DVD accessory… Hm. Or perhaps I’ll apply it to a Wii when some interesting games come out this spring.