Difference between base and preimum is premium comes with a wireless controller, the hard drive, a remote which i haven't used, and a HDTV component cable. $500 seems expensive, i'm pretty sure basic packs are in the 400 range in the shops... could be wrong.... i know premium packs are around 600 atm.... (seen them for 610 but check ebay seen them go cheaper there).... I'd go for the premium because you can't save any games without a hard drive or memory card, so you'd have to buy that on top of the base pack. plus the wireless controller is cool.