Mega Bloks Xbox 360 Collector Set Is A Pricey Nostalgia Trip

A Mega Bloks Xbox 360 sits in front of the console's menu background.

Image: Microsoft / Mattel / Kotaku

On September 8, seemingly out of nowhere, Microsoft announced the Mega 3:4 scale Xbox 360 collector set. It will propel you back to the halcyon days of 2007, at least if you’re willing to throwdown $150 for a collectible that doesn’t actually play any games.

It’s a Lego set that’s not technically Lego (Mega Bloks is Mattel’s copycat block-building brand), and it comes with 1,342 pieces that can be assembled into an Xbox 360 complete with a controller and a (fake) copy of Halo 3. There’s even a replica motherboard inside the completed Xbox case. I don’t understand why any of these choices were made but the result is oddly appealing.

It releases on October 8 but the first batch of pre-orders already appear to be sold-out. Here’s what the product description reads (the set is a Target-exclusive):

Inspired by the most influential gaming console of its time, this collector building set celebrates the legacy of the Xbox 360. Jump back in with a fully buildable, light-up console and controller. The console opens to reveal a disc drive (and other Easter eggs); place the Halo 3-themed disc inside to activate the motherboard. Adult builders take note: completing this set unlocks the ultimate achievement.

It doesn’t seem to have any online connectivity to fans’ existing Xbox profiles, but it’s a charming retro throwback nonetheless. Of course, some people have been quick to poke fun at the unexpected and pricey collectible. “Sure, you could buy a real Xbox 360 for much less. But this one won’t get the [Red Ring of Death],” joked Niko director of research, Daniel Ahmed.

An actual Xbox 360 runs between $50 to $75 at the moment, though as others have pointed out, the $150 price tag is normal for a set with over 1,000 blocks. Plus, the design is pretty nifty. If I had money to burn I might pick one up to add to the display case. As things stand though, I’d be much happier to see Microsoft finally reveal an Xbox mini. The tech giant’s original console is over 20 years old now, and a perfectly retro piece of memorabilia in its own right.

Would I pay $150 for a box that came with Project Gotham Racing pre-intalled? Absolutely.

      

Overwatch 2 Players Raise Hell Over Moira’s Pricey Lilith Skin

Overwatch 2’s Halloween-infused seventh season, Rise of Darkness, went live on Monday, bringing with it a swath of creepy new skins for its heroes, including a hotly anticipated skin based on Diablo IV’s Lilith for sardonic healer Moira. Unfortunately, players who eagerly dived into the season for a chance to acquire Moira’s devilishly good skin now feel like its existence is a price-gouging trick rather than a treat thanks to its hefty cost and paywalled availability.

You see, Lilith Moira can only be unlocked by purchasing the game’s Ultimate Battle Pass: Season Seven Bundle which costs $40. Last season’s Premium Battle Pass also cost $40, but at least that one came with three new story missions. Usually, OW2 skins can be acquired by completing levels in its Battle Pass but the Lilith Moira skin, as well as Pharah’s Legendary Inarius skin and Bastion’s Epic Pumpkin skin, can only be acquired by purchasing the Ultimate Battle Pass. Lilith Moira’s price tag isn’t going over well with fans who see the bundle as yet another example of Blizzard fleecing players for new skins.

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Read More: Overwatch 2’s New Patch Has A Lot More Than Sombra’s Rework

“Casual reminder that Overwatch, the ENTIRE GAME was $40 on release,” Arenyr wrote in a r/Overwatch thread. “Now we’re paying that amount for a couple of skins and a Battle Pass.”

“Blizzard is so fucking gross for this,” Drewboy13 replied in the same thread. “Not only is everything so crazily overpriced, it’s also paywalled and locked behind even more expensive bundles.”

“I thought the only reason the previous season’s Ultimate Bundle was $40 was due to the Invasion ‘campaign missions’ as well as the fact that you got three legendary skins,” LeKrahka said. “Actually bonkers.”

“I’d rather buy a nice game on sale or at the same price without a sale than a disgustingly overpriced pack,’ Sharashaska said. “Every time they have the opportunity to be decent they fail and make the shittiest decision possible regarding their consumers.”

Read More: Overwatch 2 One Year Later: Why Am I Still Doing This?

Last August, Blizzard sent out a survey asking players if they’d be willing to pay $45 for new hero skins. At the time, a Blizzard spokesperson told Kotaku the survey was “entirely intended to better understand player preferences for different types of Overwatch 2 cosmetics” and prices offered in it were “randomized per user and are not indicative of final pricing.” I suppose Blizzard’s survey led to the conclusion that Moira mains like myself would be willing to pay $40 to get the support hero a good skin that wasn’t her David Bowie-inspired one from 2017. I’m going to stick with the Bowie one.

   

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