Sony Announces MGS4 PS3 Bundle and God of War PSP Bundle

[jeffbax]

Via Yahoo News (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080226/aqtu184.html?.v=24), Sony have officially announced a MGS4, Dual Shock 3, and PS3 bundle for June. PSP Bundle in June as well.
To coincide with the much-anticipated North American launch of Metal Gear Solid®4: Guns of the Patriots in late Q2 2008, SCEA will introduce a PS3 bundle, which will include an 80GB PS3, the upcoming blockbuster Metal Gear Solid®4: Guns of the Patriots and a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller for $499 (MSRP).

SCEA also announced the June 2008 availability of the limited-edition God of War® PSP Entertainment Pack for $199.99 (MSRP). The God of War Entertainment Pack will include a "Deep Red" PSP with God of War himself, Kratos, silk-screened on the back of the unit, a copy of the highly anticipated upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus game for PSP, the hit comedy movie from Columbia Pictures, "Superbad(TM)," on UMD(TM) (Universal Media Disc), and a PLAYSTATION®Network voucher to download Syphon Filter®: Combat Ops from PLAYSTATION®Store. The stand-alone version of God of War: Chains of Olympus launches on March 4, 2008.
I wonder if there will be any updated SKUs in the meantime... June is a while from now.

[Gorvi]

Odd that they're waiting so long on the God of War bundle. But this is good news that MGS4 will be out in June. Man, I can't wait for that.

[jeffbax]

I have a hard time believing that they aren't going to have a BC SKU available till June, and when is the White SKU coming ?

[Flatpicker]

So, this means no PS3 pricedrop at E3?
The current 80GB comes with a game also.

[DiBiddilyBop]

I've been tossing around the idea of purchasing a PSP slim. The God of War bundle just might get me to do that.

[Itchyeyes]

So, this means no PS3 pricedrop at E3?
The current 80GB comes with a game also.
And no PSP price drop either. Three and a half years after launch and Sony is still selling the thing at $200. Granted it's a new model and in a bundle, but it still doesn't bring down the barrier of entry for those of us who don't want to shell out 2 Benjamins for a handheld.

[theevilnarwhale]

The Red psp bundle is a pretty cool deal. Much better than the existing ones. Except for the fact that it doesn't come with a memory stick.

[jeffbax]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2293678465_44a7c82af5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2294468366_5d02e90c66.jpg

[Baron Samedi]

So does this mean we can't trust the NPD data for either title? ;)

Good move for Sony. What's MS gonna do now, start bundling CoD4?

[Gorvi]

So, this means no PS3 pricedrop at E3?
The current 80GB comes with a game also.
Well, they could, since E3 won't be for a good month after these come out.

[Robber Baron]

Anyone know if this PS3 will be backwards compatible, or has Sony dropped BC altogether? I kinda lost track of which SKUs were.

[biosc1]

Hmmm...I came into this thread going "I wish it would just come in the black model of the PSP, not sure if I want an ugly red one".

Well, I was wrong, that red looks pretty dang sexy to me...

[jeffbax]

Its not that tricky... only the 40GB $399 model has no BC. I do hope they refresh the SKU's a little sooner than June though. I want the White model.

[biosc1]

Its not that tricky... only the 40GB $399 model has no BC. I do hope they refresh the SKU's a little sooner than June though. I want the White model.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

Use the above site for people wondering about BC.

[Flatpicker]

Well, they could, since E3 won't be for a good month after these come out.

I thought e3 was in may this year?

[Gorvi]

From IGN (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/855/855057p1.html?RSSwhen2008-02-26_111400&RSSid=855057):
For players that pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4, there's an added bonus: they'll be guaranteed access in the multiplayer beta of Metal Gear Online in late April.
Yeah, I can go for that.
I thought e3 was in may this year?
They're keeping it in July, aren't they?

[Baron Samedi]

They're keeping it in July, aren't they?

July 15-17 @ Los Angeles Convention Center

[karak]

That's...expensive. Thats all I can think to say.

[Ix Quantum xI]

Its good to see that Sony is being aggressive especially with packing a DS3 in. It is odd that it is the 80 GB PS3 though.

[Blue]

I just freaking bought a PSP and I miss out on Kratos!

Someone get me a Vader or Doom picture up in this thread.

[Flatpicker]

Never mind then.
This seems like a cool pkg then.

[oldjadedgamer]

Good idea for the PS3 bundle, FINALLY bundling in the Dualshock 3. But how stupid is it not to include a memory card in with the PSP bundle? Come on, how much more is it to add a 32 meg card in there so kids can at least save their games?

That's what was so great about the Dexter bundle that not only did you get the new slim model in a new color, and a great game but they included a gig memory stick in there.

[Itchyeyes]

I just freaking bought a PSP and I miss out on Kratos!

Someone get me a Vader or Doom picture up in this thread.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410aJpV117L._SS400_.jpg
:p

[Blue]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410aJpV117L._SS400_.jpg
:p

I'm torn between being angry and laughing. You've caught me on a good day :) That was great heh.

[Wadmaasi]

I've been tossing around the idea of purchasing a PSP slim. The God of War bundle just might get me to do that.
I didn't own a fat PSP, and I don't have any interest in hacking the firmware for emulation, but I bought a slim when they were released and have not regretted it. It's not my primary gaming device (by any means), but there are several good titles on the platform. Plus I have to play Chains of Olympus; I pretty much suck at action/brawler games, but Kratos is such a badass.

[ResistanceAddict]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2293678465_44a7c82af5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2294468366_5d02e90c66.jpg


Holy Christ, it's red. I WANT THAT.

[WaltJay]

Anyone know if this PS3 will be backwards compatible, or has Sony dropped BC altogether? I kinda lost track of which SKUs were.

The 40GB has no BC.

The 80GB has software-based BC (not as good as the hardware-based and now-defunct 20GB and 60GB models).

I'm guessing the 80GB included in the MGS4 bundle will have the same software-based BC, though it don't think it's been confirmed.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Wow, those are both great bundles. I need to glue my wallet into my pocket. :p

That red PSP is especially sexy. Me likey.

[Binkley]

Finally, the PS3 bundle I've been waiting for. I'm glad MGS4 is Late Summer/Q2...blockbuster games don't usually come out in the summer do they?

[Flatpicker]

Actually, I had read something where Sony claims they can do software BC on the 40GB, but hasn't because they have seen no interest.

If I find the link I'll add it.

[huntr]

And no PSP price drop either. Three and a half years after launch and Sony is still selling the thing at $200. Granted it's a new model and in a bundle, but it still doesn't bring down the barrier of entry for those of us who don't want to shell out 2 Benjamins for a handheld.

200 for a psp isnt that bad when you think of the costs of an ipod or a zune which can go for around the same price to much more. im not defending the price entirely, but im just comparing it to other electronic devices it competes with (as a portable entertainment device whether its games, music or video)

[Virtuoso]

200 for a psp isnt that bad when you think of the costs of an ipod or a zune which can go for around the same price to much more. im not defending the price entirely, but im just comparing it to other electronic devices it competes with (as a portable entertainment device whether its games, music or video)

The problem is the Zune and iPod aren't the competition for the PSP, the DS is at almost half the price.

Also, I have a PSP, and have not once watched a movie or listen to music on it.

[Itchyeyes]

200 for a psp isnt that bad when you think of the costs of an ipod or a zune which can go for around the same price to much more. im not defending the price entirely, but im just comparing it to other electronic devices it competes with (as a portable entertainment device whether its games, music or video)
Apples and Oranges, a $200 iPod or Zune also has 8gb of flash memory (~$100 retail) and a completely different business model that doesn't impose fees on the content as well. All I'm saying is that the PSP launched for ~$185 in Japan in Dec '08. If this announcement for the GoW bundle holds true, then 3.5 years later the lowest price of the PSP will have dropped a whopping $15. That has to be some kind of record for longest time without a significant price drop on a console. And people give Microsoft a hard time for waiting almost 2 years to drop the 360 price by $50...

Maybe I'd be happy if the PSP redesign had been even remotely significant, but it's essentially the same exact system for essentially the same exact price three and a half years after launch.

[Yeti2005]

Damn that's a kick ass PS3 bundle. Much better than the 80GB Motorstorm bundle I got around Thanksgiving. I'm still a little pissed the DualShock is $55 by itself but I guess that makes the bundle even more appealing.

[huntr]

Apples and Oranges, a $200 iPod or Zune also has 8gb of flash memory (~$100 retail) and a completely different business model that doesn't impose fees on the content as well. All I'm saying is that the PSP launched for ~$185 in Japan in Dec '08. If this announcement for the GoW bundle holds true, then 3.5 years later the lowest price of the PSP will have dropped a whopping $15. That has to be some kind of record for longest time without a significant price drop on a console. And people give Microsoft a hard time for waiting almost 2 years to drop the 360 price by $50...

Maybe I'd be happy if the PSP redesign had been even remotely significant, but it's essentially the same exact system for essentially the same exact price three and a half years later.

i was meaning that as an entertainment device, thats the going rate. Its gotten to a point where there doesnt necessarily need to be a price drop. Thats just how much these things cost. (ie ipod/zune) i know theyve upgraded storage capacity on the players but have kept the price the same. I assume thats the business plan for psp.

[Yeti2005]

Good move for Sony. What's MS gonna do now, start bundling CoD4?

Funny you mention that because last weekend I saw a 360 plus CoD4 bundle at Costco (although that's Costco's doing not MS).

[Itchyeyes]

i was meaning that as an entertainment device, thats the going rate. Its gotten to a point where there doesnt necessarily need to be a price drop. Thats just how much these things cost. (ie ipod/zune) i know theyve upgraded storage capacity on the players but have kept the price the same. I assume thats the business plan for psp.
But it's not the going rate and it's not how much "these things" cost. First and foremost, the DS launched after the PSP, for nearly half the cost, received a more dramatic update to the hardware, and dropped the price by a larger margin. And if you want to compare it to the iPod the differences are even more drastic. In 2004 (the year the PSP launched), the cheapest iPod was the 4gb iPod mini which sold for $249. There are two ways we can do this comparison, both of which put the PSP to shame. First we can look at the price point. What got you 4gb of storage and a black and white screen in 2004 now gets you a color screen, longer battery life, and 80gb of storage in the form of the iPod classic. Or you can look at the storage. A 4gb iPod nano is now based on flash memory, has a color screen, longer battery life, the ability to play video, costs $100 less than it did in 2004, and comes in a drastically smaller form factor to top it all off. Is that video out and paltry price drop on the PSP starting to look meager to you yet?

No matter which way you cut it, a PSP price drop is long overdue.

[huntr]

But it's not the going rate and it's not how much "these things" cost. First and foremost, the DS launched after the PSP, for nearly half the cost, received a more dramatic update to the hardware, and dropped the price by a larger margin. And if you want to compare it to the iPod the differences are even more drastic. In 2004 (the year the PSP launched), the cheapest iPod was the 4gb iPod mini which sold for $249. There are two ways we can do this comparison, both of which put the PSP to shame. First we can look at the price point. What got you 4gb of storage and a black and white screen in 2004 now gets you a color screen, longer battery life, and 80gb of storage in the form of the iPod classic. Or you can look at the storage. A 4gb iPod nano is now based on flash memory, has a color screen, longer battery life, the ability to play video, costs $100 less than it did in 2004, and comes in a drastically smaller form factor to top it all off. Is that video out and paltry price drop on the PSP starting to look meager to you yet?

No matter which way you cut it, a PSP price drop is long overdue.

maybe i had a bad analogy. maybe psps were losing money at first and are now breaking even? maybe theyre making money now? I was just throwing around theories, but im way less informed to put up a good argument!

I know what you mean though, i was just trying to play devils advocate

[Xerxes]

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

Use the above site for people wondering about BC.

What game doesn't work on the 60GB.

[TeeCakes]

What game doesn't work on the 60GB.

I can confirm that the PSOne Dual Shock Resident Evil 2 (Leon's disc) consistently messed up for me about 1/3 of the way into the game, and I had to finish playing it on my PS2. Odd, since I was using the 'fast loading' option on the PS2 which is fabled to break many PSOne BC compatibility tests, but it worked just fine. Looked like utter crap compared to the PS3's upscaler, of course.

So far, that's the sole game I've run into problems with on my 60gig. Even the Claire disc for RE2 works just fine.

[Xerxes]

I can confirm that the PSOne Dual Shock Resident Evil 2 (Leon's disc) consistently messed up for me about 1/3 of the way into the game, and I had to finish playing it on my PS2. Odd, since I was using the 'fast loading' option on the PS2 which is fabled to break many PSOne BC compatibility tests, but it worked just fine. Looked like utter crap compared to the PS3's upscaler, of course.

So far, that's the sole game I've run into problems with on my 60gig. Even the Claire disc for RE2 works just fine.

:eek: Great game. Didn't it get a remake on GC?

[TeeCakes]

:eek: Great game. Didn't it get a remake on GC?

It did, but I was disappointed it didn't get a 'full' remake like the first PSOne game did on the GC. It's basically the same game as the "Dual Shock" version for PSOne/PC/N64, with some bonuses (i.e. the ability to skip improved FMV cut scenes). I actually bet my upscaled PS3-ized RE2 looks better than the GC version (I wouldn't bet too much, though.)

[51|RandoM]

And no PSP price drop either. Three and a half years after launch and Sony is still selling the thing at $200. Granted it's a new model and in a bundle, but it still doesn't bring down the barrier of entry for those of us who don't want to shell out 2 Benjamins for a handheld.

There was a price drop.

It would appear they aren't interested in losing money on the hardware to attract a market who can't afford the games.

[51|RandoM]

Oh yeah, there is going to be some BC in the 80GB MGS4 bundle. A sony person said to on the ps blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/26/destination-playstation-news-mgs-ps3-bundle-kratos-psp-and-dualshock3-release-date-by/#comments).

[oldjadedgamer]

There was a price drop.

It would appear they aren't interested in losing money on the hardware to attract a market who can't afford the games.

The unit has only dropped in price by $30 dollars in 3 years. Outside of the forced down your throat "value" bundle that American's got for $250, the stand alone Japanese PSP was $200 since it launched in 2004.

You don't have to pay $200 for this bundle, you can still get a stand alone unit for $170. IMO, the Dexter bundle is still the better deal since it comes with a game, and a large memory card.

[Phhhh]

It seems really weird to me that they're announcing this and the God of War bundle so far away from their release.

Won't it cannibalize sales of the console in the coming months as people wait for the bundles?

This should have been announced weeks before they came out, not months.

[oldjadedgamer]

It seems really weird to me that they're announcing this and the God of War bundle so far away from their release.

Won't it cannibalize sales of the console in the coming months as people wait for the bundles?

This should have been announced weeks before they came out, not months.

God of War PSP comes out a week from today...

edit: nevermind, I see you are talking about the bundle release, not the game itself.

[Chris_D]

Oh yeah, there is going to be some BC in the 80GB MGS4 bundle. A sony person said to on the ps blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/26/destination-playstation-news-mgs-ps3-bundle-kratos-psp-and-dualshock3-release-date-by/#comments).


I'm surprised at that. I guess they must still have quite a back log of units with the old graphics hardware to support this new SKU. I'm pretty sure they have stopped manufacturing any new BC units by now.

[Xerxes]

I'm surprised at that. I guess they must still have quite a back log of units with the old graphics hardware to support this new SKU. I'm pretty sure they have stopped manufacturing any new BC units by now.

It would just be the same software BC wouldn't it.

[Draft]

http://i26.tinypic.com/6tpph4.jpg

Mine.

[Johan]

Oh yeah, there is going to be some BC in the 80GB MGS4 bundle. A sony person said to on the ps blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/26/destination-playstation-news-mgs-ps3-bundle-kratos-psp-and-dualshock3-release-date-by/#comments).

Where? You randomly linked to a page without anything but questions about BC from posters. No actual info.

[Chris_D]

It would just be the same software BC wouldn't it.

Common misconception. The supposed "Software BC" still requires the original PS2 graphics chip. Just the PS2 emotion engine is no longer required (which is on the 60G and 20G models).

Thus they were able to save even more money on the manufacturing of the 40g models.

[Xerxes]

Common misconception. The supposed "Software BC" still requires the original PS2 graphics chip. Just the PS2 emotion engine is no longer required (which is on the 60G and 20G models).

Thus they were able to save even more money on the manufacturing of the 40g models.

One more reason I'm trying to get this one of Craigslist then. Makes since though. :confused:

[Chris_D]

Where? You randomly linked to a page without anything but questions about BC from posters. No actual info.

There's a reply to one of the comments below:
adeleon replied on February 26, 2008 at 12:44 pm
adeleon's Avatar

Yes, similar to the Motorstorm bundle, the new MGS4 bundle features an 80GB PS3 with some PS2 backwards compatibility.

[mister_slim]

It seems really weird to me that they're announcing this and the God of War bundle so far away from their release.

Won't it cannibalize sales of the console in the coming months as people wait for the bundles?

This should have been announced weeks before they came out, not months.

In the case of the God of War bundle, Sony might be trying not to piss off people buying a PSP for God of War.

[asimonk]

So does this mean we can't trust the NPD data for either title? ;)

Good move for Sony. What's MS gonna do now, start bundling CoD4?

Not to nitpick, but while bundles are nice, are they really all that important to the unwashed teeming masses of console gamers who are the bread and butter of the console industry? Yes, I will agree that a bundle will be attractive to a first time buyer, but for the gamer shaking like a heroine addict looking for their next fix of the 15th sequel of their favorite game, it matters not.

Sure it is a matter of convenience to the person holding off until the system finally had the make or break game they wanted. But its not like Random is going to go buy the bundle in lieu of just buying the damn game. I can't see why the numbers would be tainted. Especially when the bundle will be offered alongside available models and not in place of a bare bones system.

[Talon-]

That bundle's mighty enticing. I might wait it out until July to see if there's a price drop on the 40 GB, but that box is pretty as well. Hmm...

I'm either going to get an Elite or a PS3 this summer...if not both. Come on, Microsoft and Sony, whoever drops their price gets my money. :D

[51|RandoM]

Where? You randomly linked to a page without anything but questions about BC from posters. No actual info.

Sony people's posts are tinted red. Find the red post on that page.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Odd that they're waiting so long on the God of War bundle. But this is good news that MGS4 will be out in June. Man, I can't wait for that.

Can we go ahead and nominate MGS4 for "latest game ever"? Wasn't it originally somewhere around this time last year or something?

[Gorvi]

Can we go ahead and nominate MGS4 for "latest game ever"? Wasn't it originally somewhere around this time last year or something?
Well, if you ignore Too Human or Duke Nukem Forever, yeah. ;)

Really, FFXII was later I think, slipping at least 2 years. I think MGS4 really only slipped 6 months or so, as I don't think it was ever due anytime other than Fall of last year.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Well, if you ignore Too Human or Duke Nukem Forever, yeah. ;)

Really, FFXII was later I think, slipping at least 2 years. I think MGS4 really only slipped 6 months or so, as I don't think it was ever due anytime other than Fall of last year.

I could have sworn it was due earlier than fall, but records of that kind of thing disappear on the internet.

[asimonk]

No game should champion lateness like Diakatana. Not only did its schedule border on DNF magnitude, the end result has basically become the perennial joke of the video game industry.

[51|RandoM]

Can we go ahead and nominate MGS4 for "latest game ever"? Wasn't it originally somewhere around this time last year or something?

You could if you wanted to look like you were born sometime in the last 6 months. :D

My personal outlook is that there are no good games that are late, only bad games that are too early.

[Wraith]

Nice to see that they'll still have a backwards-compatible SKU, even if it isn't fully hardware-based BC.

I think the PS3 bundle will sell really well, at least due to Sony's pricing strategy. You get probably the biggest game on the PS3 to date AND the new dualshock controller for the same price that the 80GB model was selling for. Plus they take the current 80GB model off the market a few months before this one hits; they build up demand for the upper-level SKU and don't have to drop the price on the old 80GB.

I'm not even that interested in MGS, but this bundle just makes sense to me; I'd certainly buy it over the 40GB. Unless they drop the price on the 40GB in the next few months, say $300 or $350 to the bundle's $500, I don't see how this could not sell extremely well.

[silv]

Actually, I had read something where Sony claims they can do software BC on the 40GB, but hasn't because they have seen no interest.

If I find the link I'll add it.

Good luck finding that.

[silv]

Does anyone have a link to a write up on how good/bad the software emulation is?

My experience with the 360 BC has been that even though some games are marked as compatible they still run like molasses.