LOS ANGELES--Microsoft is expanding its $99 Xbox 360 pilot program to all United States Best Buy stores and "select" GameStop locations later this month. According to a statement provided by Microsoft, this next phase in the program will be limited in terms of timing and number of consoles available. No further information was offered, and Microsoft said interested gamers should call their local Best Buy and GameStop locations to find out more.


The $99 Xbox is headed to Best Buy and GameStop stores across the country.
Last month, Microsoft confirmed a deal that will sell the 4GB Kinect-equipped Xbox 360 hardware bundle for $99 if customers commit to a two-year Xbox Live Gold subscription at a cost of $15 per month. The bundle was first outed by unnamed sources.

The $99 Xbox 360 deal would cost less up front, but consumers will wind up spending more in the long run. If purchased separately at today's standard prices, the console and two-year Xbox Live subscription would cost $420. If purchased under this promotion, the deal's total cost at the end of the two years would come out to $460.

The offer was originally available only at select Microsoft Store retail locations in the US. There is also an early termination fee for those who want out of the contract, with the penalty starting at $250 in the first three months of the contract and scaling down to $12 in the 23rd month.