Microsoft has revealed that it has extended its pilot program of offering a 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle to U.S. Best Buy and certain GameStop stores.

In a post on the Major Nelson blog, Larry Hryb – AKA Major Nelson – said that Microsoft will be selling the 4GB Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle at U.S. Best Buy stores and some selected GameStop stores.

Here’s Major Nelson’s whole post:

“A few weeks ago you may have heard that Microsoft began a pilot program to test a new retail model for the Xbox 360. The program, which we have been testing at Microsoft Stores in the U.S., offers customers the chance to purchase a 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect and a two-year LIVE subscription with a low upfront cost of $99, and 24 months of Xbox LIVE Gold at $14.99 per month.

Today, I’m happy to announce that we’re expanding the pilot to all U.S. Best Buy stores and select GameStop locations later this month. This next phase of the pilot program will be limited in terms of both timing and the number of units available—we’re excited to forge new ground and explore a new retail model for Xbox 360, but also want to emphasize that this is a pilot period for the program.

Call your local Best Buy, GameStop or Microsoft Store if you’d like more information about how and where to purchase.”

The offer essentially means that buyers will initially shell out just $99 for the 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle as long as they agree to a two-year contract for a Live Gold membership.

The 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle usually costs $300 while users can purchase A one-year Live Gold membership with that 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle for $60. That’s a total cost of $420 for a 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle plus two years of Live Gold membership at $60 per year.

For those who will get this deal for $99 upfront and a recurring payment of $14.99 per month for two years, the deal will cost a total of $458.76.However, this will be great for people who do not have the money up front to pay $360 for a 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle and a year of Live Gold membership.

Think of the additional $40 as what you’re paying to defer paying the total cost of the 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle and Live Gold membership for two years.

Image from Major Nelson on Flickr (CC)

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .