[citation][nom]tacoslave[/nom]$199 starting price. True , but you have to buy a hardrive which is a 100 plus dollars and the controllers are 10 dollars cheaper but you have to buy the $20 play and charge kit. I'm not even going to go into the wifi adaptor. But the 360 is ALL hidden fees.[/citation]You don't need a $100+ HDD. If you need a HD, the smaller ones work fine and can be had for cheap. As for batteries, I kind of like the flexible options. Charge and play, or a quick-charge station (very fast to swap out battery packs, and no wires needed to tether you to the console while you charge), or just use AAs. I kind of like sticking to AAs because then you can use whatever rechargeable AAs you want (or non-rechargeables, in a pinch). Such as newer model ULSD NiMHs like Sanyo's Eneloops or Rayovac's Hybrid batteries. Plus then you can use those same batteries in your wireless guitar controller.
The wifi issue is stupid, but on the other hand it allowed them to use Wireless G, and release a Wireless N adapter once they finalized that standard. In some houses, wireless G doesn't always cut the mustard. Of course, I don't really care for wifi period for gaming, and try to go wired whenever possible. But I understand that is not always convenient.
Anyway, the biggest culprit for extra costs might be the Wii. Every time you turn around there's some new accessory or doohickey. Wiimotes, classic controllers, nunchuks, motion plus, racing wheels, wii fit, various sports accessories, etc.