Walmart's devious Guitar Hero III bundling

by Dustin Burg { Oct 29th 2007 at 10:30AM }

Warning future Guitar Hero III purchasers ... Walmart is evil. And yes, we know the word evil carries a lot of emotional weight behind it, but we're comfortable and confident in using such an adjective to describe Walmart seeing what they're doing with their Guitar Hero III bundles.

You see, Walmart somehow received an exclusive GHIII bundle from Activision in which they sell the game with old GHII guitar controllers. That means Xbox 360 owners who'd buy the bundle wouldn't get a wireless Les Gibson and instead get the corded Xplorer. A bundle that was never previously announced and smells of clearancing out old inventory. True, the bundled boxes specifically show which guitar is included in the box (like the picture above), but some may not notice the guitar switch or just aren't informed enough to know the difference. Talk about shady GHIII bundling practices Walmart ... we're disgusted.

[Thanks, Daren]

Tags: activision, ghiii, guitar-hero-iii, neversoft, walmart

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ryan @ Oct 29th 2007 10:37AM

If you don't look at the box and/or notice the 10 dollar cheaper price tag you really get what you got coming to you. That being said I have done the same thing before(mostly with those damned fullscreen dvds) READ THE BOX!

wraith eight @ Oct 29th 2007 10:37AM

1: If the customer is not informed enough to know the difference, why would they care?
2: If they are informed but don't notice the difference CLEARLY MARKED on the front of the package, how is that Wal-Mart's fault?

mgroves @ Oct 29th 2007 10:38AM

Why does Wal-Mart get all the flak here and Activision gets none?

BTW, if you don't want that guitar, I'll take it off your hands.

DA360 @ Oct 29th 2007 10:42AM

It IS clearly marked on the front of the package that it comes with the X-Plorer but still, why would they sell it with one if they never mentioned it. Plus, why is it ONLY at Wal-mart and not at any of the other places selling the game?

Personally I just got the game alone, the new guitar is nice but I don't think I want to spend $40-50 more to get a guitar when I already have the X-Plorer from GH2, which works fine. I'm not that picky over it and my 360 isn't too far away from me that I absolutely need a wireless guitar.

Biscuit @ Oct 29th 2007 10:42AM

Yeah, if they can't notice the huge EXPLORER controller on the outside of it, that's their problem. That was the first thing I noticed, so I went to Blockbuster instead and got my wireless bundle. Idiots.

Dean @ Oct 29th 2007 2:30PM

It's a Gibson Les Paul, for the record.

But, caveat emptor.

Jim Halpert DM @ Oct 29th 2007 10:51AM

Some kid is really pissed at his mom right now for getting him the wrong Guitar Hero 3 bundle. LOL.

DCD @ Oct 29th 2007 10:52AM

i work for walmart and it is not evil. we do not put stuff into the box's that come in to store. We just put what comes in on the floor.
Activision sent this as is.

Hollywood Ron @ Oct 29th 2007 10:54AM

Would you rather not get a controller at all?

blakbuzzrd @ Oct 29th 2007 10:59AM

"We just put what comes in on the floor. Activision sent this as is."

The fact that only Wal-Mart sells it like this means that Wal-Mart struck a deal with Activision to get this packaged specially for them. It could be RedOctane/Activision unloading a bunch of OS GH2 controllers, but it could also be Wal-Mart asking for a cheap deal. It could be both.

Both sides probably share blame on this one, but it's a dumb idea all around. There are bound to be quite a few kids on Christmas morning who will be disappointed by parents who didn't know any better.

It's a terrible thing to do to customers.

And having both the GHII X-plorer and the GH3 Les Paul, I can tell you that it does make a difference. Better action on the new fret buttons, lighter whammy, better feel all around. Worth the extra ten bucks for sure.

Bravo6 @ Oct 29th 2007 11:06AM

Perfect photo for it, ha!

DjDATZ @ Oct 29th 2007 11:06AM

Walmart isn't evil. Think of all the ways you can scam them and you'll quickly realise it is YOU who is evil. No wait...I'm evil for scamming the shit out of them every chance I get.

Aaron @ Oct 29th 2007 11:08AM

Thas why you dont buy video games from a crap ass place like Walmart.

MDJ2010 @ Oct 29th 2007 11:08AM

If this happened to me I would be super pissed, but I just don't think it would, its hardly a small box with a small picture of the guitar on it. I think if i saw this box I would instantly question why there was a picture of the GHII guitar on the front.
I cant bash Activision either, theyve gotta get rid of those old guitars somehow, WALMART ANYONE?

Dale @ Oct 29th 2007 11:09AM

For serious, the Les Paul is a little bundle of sex.

Emperor Samoth @ Oct 29th 2007 11:13AM

I don't shop at Wal-Mart, but this is not false advertising or anything like that. This entry is stupid and unwarranted. And the guy flipping the bird should take that finger and get it up his ass for being such a douche-bag and not notice the packaging. If it was a gift, don't open it and return it.

spilth @ Oct 29th 2007 12:31PM

Considering how flakey the new wireless controller is (http://www.spilth.org/?p=1178) I wish I HAD gotten the bundle with the X-Plorer guitar.

spyd4r @ Oct 29th 2007 11:25AM

My Walmart opens at 6:00AM, so I hit that first before all other retailers on launch day... Got my copy, paid at the electronics desk..... as I was walking towards the front of the store I thought,.... WTF? Got a refund and left the store, glad I noticed before I opened it up at home!

Cerixus @ Oct 29th 2007 11:26AM

This evil.

I don't even think it's wrong.

Cerixus @ Oct 29th 2007 11:27AM

Damnit. I used the sign for "does not equal" above and it was filtered.

This DOES NOT EQUAL Evil.

I don't even think it's wrong.

mistian @ Oct 29th 2007 11:29AM

i was in walmart yesterday and as soon as i saw the bundle i knew it was the old guitar. anyone who got fooled is just stupid. and why is it evil, the bundle with the wireless guitar is ten bucks cheaper, seems like a deal to me

ericdrum @ Oct 29th 2007 11:31AM

I have to say, I saw the bundle and noticed immediately that the xplorer was included and that it was cheaper. I don't think this is a big deal at all. I wouldn't ever buy the bundle, but I don't think that it's evil to have a cheaper bundle out there.

xenocidic @ Oct 29th 2007 11:35AM

This reminds me of the time I bought my newphew a remote control car from Walmart, and when he opened it, it was actually a "wired" remote control. Well I guess you can call it remote if you call walking 3 feet behind the crappy car "remote". When you looked at the package the wire was obscured , so it looked like it was actually a wireless remote. anyhow, I digress.

i just recently got GHII anyway, so I won't be getting GHIII anytime soon.

FR3SH JIV3 @ Oct 29th 2007 11:40AM

If it is cheaper than the wireless bundle, then it just gives people another option.

If it costs the same.... then both Activision and Wal-Mart are evil.

Flitken @ Oct 29th 2007 11:44AM

Walmart isn't evil. They're just providing a cheaper alternative. I bought mine from wal-mart because personally I like the old GHII guitars and didn't want to drop an extra $10 on a wireless guitar that i didn't like. i don't get what the big deal about a wireless guitar is anyways.

Chris @ Oct 29th 2007 11:44AM

I love the photo, and yes that is shady wal-mart.

Dale @ Oct 29th 2007 11:48AM

It's not shady - the packaging very clearly states the contents. They do not seem to be trying to pass it off as anything other than what it is - the older controller with the new game.

Boff @ Oct 29th 2007 12:08PM

Yeah I'm in agreement with the majority on here. It's not like they're trying to palm it off as being the other guitar in there or something. It's clearly marked on the box AND it's cheaper than the other bundle.

@6:- You know it!!!

Neon Jebus @ Oct 29th 2007 12:08PM

Wal-Mart isn't at fault for this. They are offering another option for the consumer. It is clearly marked on the box.

It would be like you getting mad for buying a copy of GHIII for the PS2 when you wanted the Xbox 360 version. I mean the covers are the same people could be tricked...

Look at what you are buying. Sorry I can't feel sorry for those people running into the issue. Return the purchase and get your money back or exchange it for the version you wanted.

Trust me my hate for Wal-Mart is more personal than most people's hate. I worked for them...but devious on this issue...sorry but no.

Michael Paul @ Oct 29th 2007 12:15PM

OK, small reality check.

Most people interested in GHIII heard it was coming with a wireless controller. I'm not interested (not nimble-fingered) but I had heard.

For a potential customer to be expected to delve into a Wal-Mart purchase more than, say, a GameStop one just seems like vindictive ragging on Wal-Mart customers. Most people shop at Wal-Mart to get things available elsewhere (like GHIII) cheaper, or to settle for a Wal-Mart-specific item because some Chinese sweat-shop cut a deal. To settle for an American version of cheap Chinese goods, one that only shows up at Wal-Mart, shouldn't happen without BIG signs WARNING people that the wireless controller sold elsewhere wasn't being sold here.

That's the point I think the post was making, and that's the one I agree with...

Gemini Ace @ Oct 29th 2007 12:25PM

Does Wal-mart do the packaging on this stuff or Activision? I'm confused why you're hating on Wal-mart.

kevan @ Oct 29th 2007 12:32PM

You shouldn't shop at walmart to begin with and you wouldn't have a problem... you'd probably get sick less often and little children would have homes....oh....and it would rain money.

TurboFool @ Oct 29th 2007 2:49PM

I went to Wal-Mart at midnight on Saturday, waited, got my copy, went to the register, glanced down, and freaked. They had ONLY bundles with the classic guitar. No way I was going to leave with that. Same thing for the PS2. I was definitely pissed off as it's ALL they had, and I went there at midnight for it. Regardless of how clearly marked it is, it was my only choice there. I had to wait until the next day to get the real bundle at Best Buy.

No, it's not evil, but for those of us eagerly waiting for it at midnight it was a nasty surprise, and it was only a matter of luck that I had enough time to look at it after the employee handed it to me to realize.

Seroth @ Oct 29th 2007 12:53PM

Yes, it's clearly marked that it comes with an old controller, but the fact that this bundle was never announced beforehand makes it an issue. If you're a paranoid shopper like me (always worried that you're buying the "wrong version" of something), then it's not that big of a deal, but most people aren't like that...

Neon Jebus @ Oct 29th 2007 1:45PM

In Dustin's defense. One must wonder why they don't even stock the wireless bundle. An extra SKU with a wired controller is cool and all but some people want their wireless goodness.

I base this off of Walmart.com which doesn't show the wireless 360 bundle at all.

spyd4r @ Oct 29th 2007 1:46PM

It's evil for that fact that a lot of parents do not know the difference and will buy this for their kids for Christmas.

Drav @ Oct 29th 2007 1:49PM

I was one of those "idiot consumers" who got GH3 at Walmart with the corded Xplorer.

I went there Saturday night at midnight to get GH3 because the Gamestops in town (who were doing midnight openings) were already sold out. So I figured hey Walmart's open 24/7 and they'll have GH3. I get in the little line, get to the counter and the guys just asks what system I want it for, grab it and go. I didn't even LOOK at the box or think to until I got home.

Michael Rose @ Oct 29th 2007 1:58PM

anyone else catch this post on MajorNelson.com this morning before it was pulled? fact...fiction...leak???

from Xbox Live's Major Nelson by Major Nelson
Content: Companion Three Pack
In Game Content: GH III Companion Three Pack (Free)
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) MILD LYRICS,MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] "Carcinogen Crush" as performed by AFI, "Putting Holes in Happiness" as performed by Marilyn Manson. Remixed by Nick Zinner", "Tina" as performed by Flyleaf. For all song credits please visit www.redoctane.com

Dustin Burg @ Oct 29th 2007 2:02PM

Maybe Walmart shouldn't get all the blame here (Activision did in fact make the bundle), but it's still a bad situation.

Selling a game bundle that isn't available anywhere else, wasn't previously announced to the public and Walmart not even offering the wireless guitar version (eluding to their bundle being the only one available) are all shady business practices. I know of a few Walmart GHIII purchasers who (in their lack of knowledge or excitement) just picked up the box and brought it home only to be enraged that they didn't get their Les Paul. Hell, I?m sure the casual purchaser didn?t even know that for $10 more they could have a newer wireless controller if they purchased the game elsewhere. Hell, think of the parents who picked the game up as a Christmas present and will have to deal with somewhat disappointed gaming-literate kids who expected the complete GHIII experience. Now that?d be messed up.

No matter how you cut it, this bundle shouldn't exist and Walmart shouldn't sell it. GHII peripherals bundled in a GHIII box is bloody wrong.

SirMikael @ Oct 29th 2007 9:58PM

I don't see the problem here - the box cleary shows which guitar you're getting, and it's cheaper. I think the middle finger should go to whoever bought this bundle and got upset with anyone aside from themselves.

mike k. @ Oct 29th 2007 4:11PM

So did you pay less for the wal-mart bunlde? If you did why are you crying.

agelgamer @ Oct 29th 2007 4:51PM

You know the sad thing is, some people aren't going to care about the GH2 controller.

I admit, Activision should've made a press release about an exclusive bundle. Some people would rather save the $10 than get a wireless guitar - weird choice... but hey $10 is $10.

Dragod @ Oct 29th 2007 5:21PM

I noticed this before this was posted yesterday.. I was checking Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, and Target.com for the best deals, and I noticed it had an X-Plorer. I thought they didn't have GH3, and only had GH2 for a second. Then I rechecked and thought it was stupid... So, I ended up finding the ad for the free faceplate from Best Buy, and got it there.

Also, the X-Plorers are new... When I was checking out Rock Band at Best Buy, I noticed the X-Plorer hooked up to GH3, but with "Gibson" on the top of the neck... Maybe it's not a cheap piece of crap now?

Flash2000 @ Oct 29th 2007 6:59PM

Yeah, and the sneaky thing is, I even noticed the guitar on the box, and I didn't even know their was a chance of it being bungled without wireless. I asked the clueless store clerk, and he said he thought it was the wireless guitar and there was just a mistake when they made the boxes showing a wire coming out. That made sense to me since I never heard of it being sold with the old GHII controller as a bundle. I'm glad I checked the message boards on xbox.com first though before opening it. I've since purchased the wireless controller (for only $10 more) at Circuit City and got the free stand. Screw you Wal-Mart.

Adrian Ronquillo @ Oct 30th 2007 2:42PM

Walmart is selling you what's on the box. Period..

corbin @ Oct 29th 2007 6:27PM

Ok, people the point here is that Walmart stores do not even have an sku for the wireless bundle. Obviously that means they are gaining an advantage from selling this xplorer bundle. That is bad customer relations in any rational person's eyes. Since it was unannounced I'm sure many a fan went out to Walmart expecting to buy an "all features included" GH3 only to have wasted gas money when they found this terd instead.

ccc @ Oct 29th 2007 7:47PM

You have to find the heart and kill it.

Nick @ Dec 1st 2007 4:54PM

Guitar Center is stocking the same bundle!!!

pkwifi @ Oct 30th 2007 2:21AM

@21 - A remote controlled car is a wired toy. A radio controlled car is wireless. There is a difference and if the box was labeled Remote Control then you got what you paid for. If it said Radio controlled then you got pwned! And shame on you XBF for trying to blame this on Walmart! The box obviously states which controller you are going to get. It even takes up almost 20% of the box advertising that you will be getting the X-Plorer guitar! I got the X-Plorer with GH2 and am using that for GH3 no problems so I say if you are saving money then why moan about it? If it were the same price as the wireless then maybe I'd have issues with it and walmart.