Back when the Modern Warfare 2 XBOX 360 bundle premiered the 250GB hard drive, it seemed like only a matter of time before MS started selling the accessory to those who just want to replace their existing drive or put a drive into an Arcade model. That would be great, since Microsoft is insisting that owners store more and more data on their consoles; small memory cards are just not useful anymore. Seriously, the largest removable storage device that Microsoft created was a 512MB card that still sells for $30 MSRP. That barely stores a moderate gamer's game save data, let alone DLC, XBLA games, Games on Demand, and last but not least, ripping the game disc contents to the hard drive (thanks to NXE). You can't do that with the measly 512MB card; you can't even do that with the 20GB drive that came with the launch model. The 60GB model that came with the Elite? Maybe. But the 120GB that comes with the Elite now and sells for $120... wait, that isn't even for sale anymore. Microsoft only sells the 60GB Live Starter Pack for Xbox 360 - for $100! What is going on? Microsoft seems to be giving mixed signals regarding what kind of storage it wants you to have. They want to you to store tons and tons of game data, but they don't want to give you anything to store it on.

That's where a small, all but forgotten controversy comes into play. Third-party acessory maker Datel was making devices that fit into the memory card slot, but utilized MicroSD cards that gave you up to 16GB of removable storage. But Microsoft didn't like that. They pushed out an update that bricked the memory cards, leaving them useless. You read that right. Microsoft offers no useful storage devices for the XBOX 360 and cripple any unauthorized devices that fill the gap that Microsoft made. But you came here for 250GB hard drives, right?

Microsoft has the Modern Warfare 2 console bundle. The only way to get the 250GB hard drive is to buy a brand new console. Now, they're celebrating Final Fantasy coming to XBOX by launching yet another console bundle. Exactly the same - Console (not Elite, but not sure what the difference is at this point) with faceplate (no paintjob, just white), 2 controllers, game, and 250GB drive (which will certainly be useful for storing all those cinematics). If you didn't buy one bundle, now you have your choice of decked out, game-themed console. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. BILLY MAYES HERE... Anyway, Microsoft is now on their third 250GB game/console bundle: Splinter Cell Conviction. It features everything the MW2 and FFXIII bundles include, except a paintjob or faceplate. It's just black. Well, I suppose that could be seen as an appropriate paintjob, being stealthy and all, but it seems lazy to me.

After 3 console bundles featuring a hard drive that you still cannot buy separately after 4 months, it seems that Microsoft is milking current owners' desires for a larger hard drive. This November will mark the 5th anniversary of the XBOX 360. Anyone that may want one already has one. But if you want a better one, let alone that elusive hard drive, Microsoft wants you to pony up $400 for a whole new console. What do you do with your old console? Nothing. Microsoft certainly isn't paying a nominal refund if you send in models that are over 50% likely to fail due to bad design. Oh, and let's not forget that if you do buy a console bundle to replace your working console just to get that hard drive, you still need a data transfer kit (not included). You have to pay $12 to get the cable and disc to transfer data from old drive to new drive. You'll have to stop by your nearest... Oh wait, you can't buy those either (Update). Microsoft does not sell the transfer kits as individual products; you can only get it if you buy the 60GB "replacement" hard drive that was released to upgrade older consoles to Elite specs. Oh wait, you can't buy those either. The only hard drive you can buy is a 60GB XBOX Live "Starter Kit" that comes with a drive, 3 month membership and ethernet cable. No transfer kit. You have to buy it from Microsoft directly (ie, over the phone) or off the Internet. You hear that, Microsoft? People are buying your "I only need it one time" accessory off the Internet because you don't sell it anywhere!

I'm sorry to say that there's still no way to get the 250GB hard drive, or data transfer kit for said drive, short of getting it second hand off the web. I don't know what to tell you, other than welcome to Microsoft. Side note, Sony allows and even encourages PS3 owners to replace their hard drives whenever they want with regular consumer drives. Of course, all that data could be lost if the Playstation Network goes down because of a leap-year glitch, but that's important to this discussion. You upset about this 250GB drive? Let us know, let Microsoft know, and for God's sake, let Nintendo know. Because the Wii is all about the storage.

Update: Microsoft is now selling the $12 transfer kit through retail now for $15. No word if it will hit actual stores.