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New PSP-3000 value packs coming to Japan

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 4th 2009 at 11:45AM }

Further proving that digital distribution is the new name of its game ... distribution method, Sony will begin selling a new PSP-3000 bundle in Japan on December 3 which includes no extra UMDs, but rather, a 4GB memory stick. An empty 4GB memory stick, upon which video games, once purchased, can be placed.

Though it somewhat defeats the pick-up-and-play accessibility of other game-infused bundles, at a price point of 19,800 yen, it should leave enough in Japanese gamers' pocketbooks to make a few PSN purchases.

New movie-themed Elite bundles for the UK

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 29th 2009 at 6:00AM }

VideoGamer.com is reporting that a supplement in this week's issue of MCV is advertising two new Xbox 360 Elite bundles. Both bundles are themed around recent movie releases, specifically Star Trek and Transformers 2. The Star Trek bundle comes with an extra controller, a copy of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek stored on a USB drive -- shaped like the Star Fleet logo -- as well as 800

with which to buy "Star Trek PDLC." Let's just hope you don't have to waste those points on Star Trek D-A-C. A Transformers 2 bundle is in the works as well, featuring an extra controller, a copy of the movie on a Bumblebee-shaped USB drive and the Transformers 2 game.

Release date, pricing, and the size of the included hard drive (120GB or "Super Elite" 250GB) are not specified in the ad. However, as MCV is a UK magazine, it's possible these are only destined for that region. We'd be hard-pressed to tell potential buyers which one bundle is the better but, but we will say that only one of them goes where no one has gone before. And the other one is Transformers.

PAL PSA: Black Wii bundle now available for pre-order, discounted in UK

by JC Fletcher { Oct 27th 2009 at 12:02PM }

We've got some welcome news for European readers who somehow don't already own a Wii -- or for those of you who already have one, but just can't resist the temptation of the new black model. Amazon.uk has opened pre-orders for the new Wii Sports Resort bundle, which includes a Wiimote, a Nunchuk and a MotionPlus all dressed in black, along with both Wii Sports games. The bundle will ship on November 6 and is available on additional Amazon branches, as well; though the release dates for other European territories is November 20.

The UK pre-order price is even discounted a bit to £164.99 (roughly $270) -- the same bundle in boring old white normally retails for £179.99. (The black and white bundles are priced the same, at €209.99, elsewhere in Europe.) The white bundle, however, includes your choice of two additional games -- a small sacrifice for that spooky black coating, we say.

As for you importers, we suppose this could be the ideal time to pursue a PAL model, if you simply can't wait for the black system to be announced for North America. Then again, in doing so, you'll also have to import all of your games. Patience.

[Via Engadget]

Japan getting Lost Planet / Ace Combat 6 Xbox bundle

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 20th 2009 at 12:50PM }

Seems like everyone has to get in on the Elite bundle action these days. Game Watch reports that a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle is headed to Japan, with both Lost Planet: Colonies and Ace Combat 6 baked right in. it also comes packed with the normal Elite goodies -- headset, wireless controller and (incredibly flexible) composite cables. Unfortunately, the bundle fails to meet super Elite status, as it contains only a paltry 120GB hard drive.

Still, at ¥29,980 (~$330), it's not a bad deal. The bundle goes on sale in Japan starting October 29.

Black Wii system going to Europe as part of Wii Sports Resort bundle

by JC Fletcher { Oct 20th 2009 at 9:32AM }

Nintendo UK will release the black Wii system on November 6, as part of a limited edition bundle including matching Wii Remote, Nunchuk, and MotionPlus peripherals, and both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. This bundle will be available elsewhere in Europe on November 20.

Along with the black bundle, Nintendo is releasing the black Classic Controller Pro accessory. No price has been announced for any of these items. Nintendo of America has yet to announce any plans to release any of these items -- in fact, it has announced that there are no plans. But, really, it's waiting until every holdout gets impatient and buys a white system.

Retailers list Modern Warfare 2 bundle for November 10 [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 18th 2009 at 8:00PM }

Update: A Microsoft representative has contacted us to say that the bundle will be shipping on November 10. As the bundle includes a retail copy of the game, Microsoft is unable to allow these to ship any earlier, meaning those who pre-ordered from the sites mentioned below will likely be waiting a few days before their bundle arrives. Sorry, folks!

We can't say that we were exactly taken aback to find out a couple of online retailers are listing the upcoming Modern Warfare 2-paired 250GB Xbox 360 launch as November 10, the same day the game arrives at retailers nationwide. An eagle-eyed reader at Joystiq sister site Engadget spotted the bundle at both Amazon and Costco (GameStop also has the Nov. 10 ship date listed), where the details re-confirm the bundle's lack of a component cable (for shame!). We've contacted Activision to make sure we're not being led astray, but it'd be hard to expect those willing to shell out the 399 clams for the bundle to have to wait to get their fool-shootin' on.

Source 1 - Amazon
Source 2 - Costco
Source 3 - GameStop

Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection coming in November

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 14th 2009 at 1:44PM }

With ostentatiously lengthy titles such as A Shantotto Ascension - The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born, we can't blame you for not being able to keep track of the expansions for Final Fantasy XI. By the end of this year, the game will have received seven content additions in the form of retail expansion packs and downloadable add-ons. Fortunately, Square Enix has decided to bundle all of these together in the Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection for PC and 360, which is set to hit North American store shelves on November 10 with a slim $20 price tag.

Seems like an odd move, considering one of these add-ons isn't even out yet. Still, with a new bundle of joy on its way, Squeenix is probably getting antsy about last year's model.

80GB PS3 on sale for $249, 160GB Drake's Fortune Bundle for $349

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 12th 2009 at 4:45PM }

If you don't factor girth into your console purchasing decisions, then SonyStyle has the best deal on a PlayStation 3 we've seen to date -- for just $249, you can pick up a 80GB PS3 Phat and an additional DualShock 3 controller. Sure, it may lack the svelteness and hard drive space of the PS3 Slim, but for a $50 discount and a free controller, we think it's well worth the trade-off.

Equally tantalizing is the 160GB PS3 Drake's Fortune Bundle, which includes Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a voucher a free download of Pain and an additional DualShock 3 controller for $349. Again, if you don't mind the additional chunky pounds, an added $50 on top of the PS3 Slim cost is a small price to pay for these savory bonuses. Hell, if they'd throw in the David Hasselhoff Pain DLC, we'd probably buy two.

[Thanks Ian!]

Nintendo announces new Pokemon spinoff, new Wiimote colors, hardware bundles at retailer event

by JC Fletcher { Oct 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Nintendo of Japan held a retailer conference during which it announced some new products and dated important releases for the Japanese market. The biggest new game announcement is Pokepark Wii: Pikachu's Big Adventure, coming out in Japan on December 5. This action game features your Pokemans performing in events at a theme park. Examples include a Sky Race and Marine Slider event, which offer advantages to Pokemon of flying and water types.

Other announcements for Japan include hardware bundles for Tales of Graces and Samurai Warriors 3. The Graces bundle will be out on December 10, and includes a white Wii, Classic Controller Pro, and the game for ¥27,800. Samurai Warriors 3 will be sold with a black Wii, Classic Controller Pro, and post card set for ¥27,300, or with just the controller for ¥8,715, or alone for ¥7,140. Don't need a Wii but still want to drop a bunch of money? Pick up the Treasure Box edition, with the game, the controller, a figurine, a soundtrack, and an artbook for ¥11,865.

Also announced: new blue and pink Wiimotes, to be released on December 3, just in time for the newly-announced Japanese release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will be released on December 23.

Rumor: Tekken 6 also bundled with 250GB PS3 in Europe

by JC Fletcher { Oct 6th 2009 at 4:30PM }

There's a confusing variety of 250GB PlayStation 3 bundles available in different regions. Put simply, the following theorem appears to hold true: if there's a high-profile PS3 game on the way this year, there is also a PS3 bundle for it somewhere in the world. The latest potential candidate for a bundle: Tekken 6, as suggested by this image posted by Dutch site Nextgamer. It matches the look of the Need for Speed Shift bundle box posted by Engadget, except it includes a note about the hard drive size, which is omitted from the Shift box.

Sony UK revealed a surprising lack of investment in its worldwide operations when it told CVG that "We're not doing that bundle but one of the territories might be." Even if it is real, you don't get an arcade stick with this bundle, so it seems less than ideal.

Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today

by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 29th 2009 at 10:50AM }

Rumored, pictured, and now shipping to retail, the 2009 edition of the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle ($300) includes a pair of family-friendly titles from last year in Lego Batman and Pure. But, well, you knew that. (Protip: Grab and stash this before October 5 to be eligible for the $50 rebate.)

Also announced today, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack will go on sale in November for $60. The black gamepad and bundle of XBLA titles is so close to perfect with Geometry Wars 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live and ... a code for Ms. Pac-Man? Make that a Pac-Man: Championship Edition token and we'd be looking at one of the best gifts you could have given this holiday -- 'cause let's face it, you (should) already own those games.

Oh, and still no official word on that popcorn box o' peripherals.

Gallery: Xbox 360 Holiday 2009 Bundles

250GB PS3 Slim bundles also coming to Europe [update]

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 25th 2009 at 1:01PM }

Earlier this week, we got our hands on a few European GameStop listings for 250GB PS3 bundles. Earlier today, SCEE and SCE UK confirmed the hardware packages and included games. Earlier this hour, we went to Whole Foods and purchased some really crisp bok choy. (Sorry. We got into a rhythm there.)

Europeans will have their choice of two bundles, both of which will be made available throughout October. One of the collections includes Need for Speed: Shift, while the other includes FIFA 10. Needless to say, both bundles come with the recently GB-boosted console. A price point for these two bundles has not been specified, but we've contacted Sony for clarification.

Bizarrely enough, the UK's getting a different set of bundles than the rest of the continent. On October 1, United Kingdomites will have their choice of a 250GB PS3 bundled with Infamous or two unnamed Platinum Hits. Their options will be further expanded on October 16 with the release of an Uncharted 2 bundle, and once more on October 19 with a bundle that includes the X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Dark Knight films on Blu-ray and a film-friendly remote control.

SCE UK has graciously provided a price for its bundles -- £284.99 ($450) -- making it our certified favourite European Sony chapter of the day. That's as legit as being knighted by the Queen, you know.

Update: After the break, we've posted a snapshot of the FIFA bundle provided by a GameStop employee in Norway.

Continued →

New Wii Sports Resort bundle packs two MotionPlus add-ons, coming Oct. 12

by Randy Nelson { Sep 24th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Nintendo has a steady stream of announcements flowing forth during Tokyo Game Show week, this time involving a new, limited release of Wii Sports Resort which will include two Wii MotionPlus remote add-ons. Set to arrive at retail on October 12 -- and coexist with the current single MotionPlus SKU -- this set will be available "while supplies last" and carry a price tag of $59.99 ($10 more than the "basic" Wii Sports Resort).

It's definitely a good deal for all two of the Wii owners who haven't already picked up the game, considering that they'll be getting an extra MotionPlus for 10 bucks, instead of the usual $19.99. We somehow get the feeling that if this bundle does well -- which we can't see it doing anything but -- it'll be the $49.99 SKU that eventually vanishes.

Rumor: No Euro Wii price cut, new bundle to include both Wii Sports games, MotionPlus

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 23rd 2009 at 4:27PM }

Just like we saw earlier this year with the PlayStation 3 Slim, the rumor mill is churning at breakneck pace -- though this time around a possible Nintendo Wii price cut rather than a slimmer console. Aside from multiple retailer listings and today's alleged internal Best Buy memo, MCV reports that a "retail source" told it the UK won't be receiving the same price cut that North America and Japan are expected to receive. Instead, the current model will be given the bundle treatment.

GamesIndustry.biz spotted the new bundle on ShopTo.net -- it has since been removed, though an image and a shell of the page still exist -- which includes both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort as well as a MotionPlus attachment, for the same £199.99 ($326.76) the system is priced at now. If it is true, at least UK Wii buyers will be getting a bit more for their pounds. It's not quite the Duck Hunt/Super Mario Bros. with a Zapper combo of yore, but it'll have to do.

Source -- No Wii price cut for UK [GamesIndustry.biz]
Source -- New UK Wii bundle leaked [MCV]

Spotted: Popcorn box o' Xbox 360 peripherals

by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 23rd 2009 at 1:44PM }

Click to jump in!

Joystiq has obtained official box art for an apparent Xbox 360 peripheral bundle. Diving a hand into the "popcorn" box (warning: contents inedible), one looks to pull out the following:

(1) Mini Universal Media Remote (the original Pro pack-in!)
(1) Wireless Network Adapter (apparently not the 802.11n version)
(1) Xbox Live 3-Month Gold Card
(1) 800 Microsoft Points Card
(0) No actual popcorn

While pricing and release details have yet to surface (though box art has been created for various European territories), we expect this package of dusty inventory -- hey, it's called "flexibility" people! -- to coincide with the release of the remote-less, WiFi-less Elite Holiday Bundle in the coming months.