XBOX 360 will download old XBOX games from XBLM in Fall Update! OK...

"Microsoft Bringing 'Xbox Originals' to 360
Halo, Psychonauts, Fable and more available in December.
By Steve Watts, 11/13/2007
Nintendo has their Virtual Console that goes back five generations of company history; Sony reaches back two generations with their PlayStation Network downloads offering PS1 games. As the newest entrant in the console race, what does Microsoft have?

Starting December 4, the 360 will host "Xbox Originals," the name given to original Xbox game downloads for the 360. Teased in the press release are Halo, Psychonauts, Crimson Skies and Fable, so those titles are likely to be in the first wave of releases. The games will cost 1200 Microsoft Points, or about $15 USD. There's no word yet on how frequently the catalog will be updated, or if the downloads will offer any new feature enhancements like upscaling or Achievement Points.

The new download service is set to launch alongside the Fall firmware update just after the Xbox Live service turns five years old. As part of the celebration, users will be able to download a free XBLA game November 15 and 16. Further, any active member who joined up in 2002 will get 500 free Microsoft Points."1UP...

OK, why is this a big deal? I can easily get all those games except for Psychonauts for less than $15 from my local Gamestop and let's not even get into Ebay.
I want to see Panzer Dragoon Orta and Oddworld Stranger backwards compatible rather than this stuff that is all ready BC.
I don't fault Microsoft for trying something new and getting paid for it. But they really could have made these games less expensive. Like 800 points. After all, this isn't an XBLA that isn't available anywhere else.
I would like to congratulate Microsoft for their bringing such a great service to consumers for 5 years and into the future. I can't remember if I was a member in 2002, but I hope so. I could use the 500 points. Now that the service is five years old and there are plenty of revenue streams accessible to Microsoft. Like themes and gamer pics. You think that they could finally make the service free, right?
Back in 2002 there was a reason it was a pay service. All that R&D costs money and all that equipment and so on. I understand... But there aren't dedicated servers, there are MANY pieces of content on the service that didn't cost more than a penny or two to make and are at least a $1 for a customer to buy. If one million people download the $1 piece that's how much? Listen, I understand this whole thing is expensive and Microsoft does have the premier online service out there. But guys haven't we been paying, in various ways, for long enough?

Happy 5th Birthday XBOX LIVE!