5 Reasons Not to Upgrade to a Next-Gen Gaming Console

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By , dealnews contributor

In addition to the Xbox One's built-in Blu-ray drive, extensive cloud capabilities, and its ability to pipe in live TV from cable providers and the Internet, it will actually still play video games. And while we have yet to find deals on Microsoft's latest and greatest console, we did round up these video game deals for Wii U, Xbox 360, and PS3.

  1. Refurbished Sony PlayStation 3 320GB System
    Store: Sony Store
    Price: $199.99 with free shipping
    Lowest By: $94

    Is It Worth It?: Tried and true, the PS3 Slim "delivers a compelling package for an affordable price." As such, this console is priced $94 less than a new unit (although we saw a refurb for $19 less last month). It features a 320GB hard drive, built-in WiFi, Blu-ray disc player, DualShock3 wireless controller, HDMI output, and more. Factory refurbished, it carries a 90-day warranty.

  2. Microsoft Xbox LIVE 1,600-Point Card
    Store: Mr. Elephant
    Price: $13.50 with free shipping when you like its Facebook page to receive a unique coupon code
    Lowest By: $5
    Expires: May 28

    Is It Worth It?: Points, points, points! With this Editors' Choice deal, you get a fistful of Xbox LIVE points for the best price we've seen. The coupon code, which you receive after liking the Mr. Elephant Facebook page, lowers the price from $15 to just $13.50. You can use the points to gain additional content for Gears of War: Judgment and many other XBox LIVE games.

  3. Madden NFL 25 Anniversary Edition for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 Preorders
    Store: Amazon
    Price: $99.99 with free shipping

    Is It Worth It?: This Editors' Choice video game, though at list price, comes with a code good for a 2013 regular season (17 weeks) trial of NFL Sunday Ticket on computer, tablet, and mobile devices via these options. It's expected for release on or around August 27.

  4. Xbox 360 Game Bundle
    Store: Walmart
    Price: $30 with from $2.97 s&h

    Is It Worth It?: It's an X-citing X-tra special for Xbox fans: Walmart offers two games for $30. You can choose from Bad Company 2, Mortal Kombat vs. DC, BioShock 2, or 102 other games up for grabs at this price. If you're not an Xbox gamer, no worries: Walmart has other video game bundles the same $30 price point. Assuming you take advantage of every game in every platform, you could net a dozen games for $170. Talk about going to the next level....

  5. Nintendo Wii U 8GB Basic Console
    Store: Target
    Price: $239.99 with about $7 s&h
    Lowest By: $30

    Is It Worth It?: If you've been thinking about taking the Wii U plunge, this Editors' Choice deal may provide just the incentive you're looking for: It's within $2 of the all-time price low we've seen for this console, listed in January. The Wii U is backwards compatible and this bundle includes 8GB of internal memory, Wii U game pad, AC adapters, HDMI cable, and sensor bar.

Front page photo credit: SoundCloud

Lou Carlozo is a dealnews contributing writer. He covers personal finance for Reuters Wealth. Prior to that he was the managing editor of WalletPop.com, and a veteran columnist at the Chicago Tribune.

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DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).
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5 comments
dj3277
The demand is low because no one wants it. Everyone needs to realize that a majority of the "third-party" developers advertised with the release of the Wii U have already gave up on the Wii U so I have no idea where the comment of "big name games" is coming from.
May 24, 2013
dcast
The Wii U is incredible, our family has really enjoyed it. We transferred over all our Wii games and files, kept our controllers, and sold the used Wii (with no controllers) for $40. It works great with Amazon Prime videos and Netflix. They offer a classic SNES game each month for only 30 cents (this month it's Super Metriod). For all the deal seekers out there, right now the demand is low, so the games (and used Wii Us) are cheap. The same thing happen with the 3DS. I bought a 3DS about 8 months after the release for less than I can buy a used one for now. Very soon Nintendo will start announcing more and more big name games, driving the demand up.

If you buy this one from Target, use the Red Card Debit card to get an additional 5% off and free shipping. The Nintendo Land game is great for families and friends, it is going for $18-$20 used on Amazon/E-bay. Mario Wii U is going for about $25-$30 used.
May 24, 2013
dj3277
If you call Wii U "next gen" then you need to study up. The Wii U just caught up, if that, to the capabilities of a PS3 and an Xbox 360. Nintendo should quit trying to make consoles and license their names (mario, zelda, etc) to game developers.
May 24, 2013
asting
You do realize that the Wii U is a next gen gaming console, right?
May 24, 2013
BigBrother87
#3 - Bejeweled

This deal ended at:
11:59PM CDT
05/23/2013 (Deal was over at time of posting)
May 24, 2013