Microsoft has a reputation for grossly over-charging for Xbox 360 storage solutions. Now that the console supports USB memory sticks, did you really think anything would change?
A pair of listings on retail site GameStop indicate that Microsoft's first-party flash drive offerings are running a little on the costly side. An 8GB stick is listed at $40, while a 16GB stick is priced at $70. That's almost twice the price of standard USB flash drives of similar size.
Seeing as an official announcement from Microsoft on this is yet to emerge, we've listed these prices as rumour. Until they're actually on a shelf, it's always possible those prices could change, or are even just GameStop placeholders.
But if they don't? Well, it's lucky that, unlike the 360's previous storage solutions, you can now actually use any cheaper third-party devices to your heart's content.
XB360 USB Flash Drive 16GB [GameStop]
XB360 USB Flash Drive 8GB [GameStop]
DISCUSSION
OH MY GOD! Microsoft is overcharging for branded Xbox memory! Everyone get your torches and pitchforks!
Look, how does this really matter in the slightest? Wii-branded SD cards were overpriced, PS1 and 2 and Xbox memory cards were overpriced, Xbox HDD's are overpriced...how is this new? Plus, unlike the hard drives, there's no need to use this. Anyone with any common sense or knowledge of gaming will know to not buy the Xbox-branded ones and use their own flash drives.
The price of this is irrelevant to anyone who isn't an idiot or doesn't know better. Considering everyone on Kotaku should be in the "knows better" group, there shouldn't remotely be this ridiculous outrage over something completely unnecessary to them. Unless they fall in the idiot category.