Microsoft Cuts Xbox One S Minecraft Bundle To $229 As Console Wars Heat Up

Microsoft Xbox One S Minecraft

Microsoft has been doling out deals left and right this holiday season and is showing no signs of slowing down. The latest deal involves the company's new Xbox One S game console with Minecraft bundled in for good measure. For today only, the bundled Xbox One S system is available at the Microsoft Store for $229, a nice savings of $70 from its normal selling price of $299.

The package includes the console itself with 500GB of onboard storage, a single Xbox One wireless controller, Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Favorites Pack with seven community-favorite content packs, Minecraft Builder's Pack with half a dozen content packs, Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta, and a 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial. An HDMI cable and power cord are both also included.

On top of all that, anyone who purchases the bundle is eligible to tack on a 3-month Xbox One Live Gold membership for a reduced cost of $15 instead of $25 or a 12-month subscription for $50 instead of $60, and can choose an additional free game, albeit from a limited selection. Available titles include Watch Dogs, Just Dance 2016, Just Dance: Disney Party 2, Hasbro Family Fun Pack, and Assassin's Creed Syndicate.

Microsoft Xbox One S

The Xbox One S is Microsoft's newest version of the Xbox One. Compared to the original, the "S" model is 40 percent smaller, supports High Dynamic Range (HDR), can play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and video streaming, has an integrated IR blaster, and is overall sleeker with the power supply inside the chassis (there is no external power brick, just a power cord).

Microsoft has been giving Sony and its PlayStation 4 console a run for their money as of late. While the PS4 has notched more unit sales to date, the Xbox One S has outsold the PS4 for four consecutive months.