Microsoft expanding $99 Xbox program to Best Buy, GameStop

$99 Xbox 360 consoles just got a little bit easier to find. Xbox Live programming director Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb said on Tuesday that Microsoft is expanding its pilot program that lets customers pay just $99 for a 4GB Xbox 360 as long as they sign a two-year service agreement to pay $14.99 a month for an Xbox Gold subscription. While the $99 Xbox deal was initially only available in certain Microsoft retail stores, Hryb said it will soon be available in select Best Buy and Game Stop locations as well. Hryb made sure to emphasize that the $99 Xbox deal is still a pilot program and that gamers shouldn’t come to expect $99 consoles to become the new norm just yet. “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,” he said. “Call your local Best Buy, GameStop or Microsoft Store if you’d like more information about how and where to purchase.”