Why You Can Trust CNET Buy an Xbox One, get a free game
The latest promo designed to drive sales of the Xbox One is available through Microsoft, Best Buy and Amazon.
Xbox One buyers can score a free game if they purchase the console by week's end.
From now through Saturday, June 27, you can purchase an Xbox One through Microsoft, Amazon or Best Buy and then choose a free game from a variety of titles. Some of the games up for grabs include Batman: Arkham Knight, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, according to Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson.
In a blog posted on Friday, Hryb said the special offer is good for all Xbox One 500GB consoles as well as the new Xbox One 1TB edition. You can choose to purchase your console and score your free game from Microsoft's online store and participating retailers in the US as well as from Amazon and Best Buy.
The Xbox One has been competing with Sony's PlayStation 4 for the hearts and minds of consumers, with Microsoft's console usually ending up behind its rival in sales. But Microsoft is now battling back with several new features and promotions to liven up demand for its console. At last week's Electronic Entertainment Expo, the company revealed that the Xbox One will be able to play Xbox 360 games later this year. Microsoft is also rolling out a lineup of new games, launching an Xbox Elite Wireless controller and letting you stream any Xbox game to your computer. The company has also offered free game promotions in the past to drum up sales.
To take advantage of the latest promotion at Microsoft's online Xbox One store, simply add the Xbox One console you wish to purchase to your shopping cart. The cart page then displays a list of all the free games available. Just check the game you want. At Amazon, the process is a bit different. You add your Xbox One console and your game title to your cart, and Amazon is supposed to apply the discount at checkout.
And at Best Buy, the process also works differently. You first add your free game title to your cart, then add the Xbox One console of your choice. Best Buy then slashes the price of the game to nothing when you open your cart.
As always, there are a few conditions. The free title must be a disc-based game with a retail price no higher than $59.99. You're limited to one game per Xbox One purchase, and you can't combine this offer with other promotions. Finally, used or refurbished consoles and used games aren't eligible.