Hot Shots PS3 bundle cheaper than standalone console
by Ross Miller 
{ Jun 20th 2007 at 6:55PM }
What's the value of Hot Shots golf for the PlayStation 3? Apparently negative 5,800 yen (that's approximately negative US $47). Siliconera has found a pair of Hot Shots PS3 console bundle, with the 20 GB model for 51,980 yen ($423) and the 60 GB model for 61,980 yen ($503), according to Impress Watch. And though on Amazon Japan, the 20 GB standalone model is cheaper at 49,980 yen ($406), the 60 GB standalone SKU is 67,780 ($551).
Is this indicative of a forthcoming price drop, a distaste for golf, a miscalculation, or some rift in the time-space continuum where a bundle of consoles from three years ahead found their way into Sony's hands? If that's the case, somebody check that Sixaxis for rumble.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt B. @ Jun 20th 2007 7:02PM
Wow, I would definitely pick up a bundled 20gb for that price. Too bad they will never bring that to the US.
rahnyc4 @ Jun 20th 2007 7:16PM
damn is some ones desperate to sell consoles.....
Gamble20 @ Jun 20th 2007 7:23PM
Yeah they are really desperate,but they can at least stay happy that 360 will never outsell them in Japan.
and in the US, when the hell will 360 beat the PS2?!?!?! COME ON!
Hikaru @ Jun 20th 2007 7:31PM
So, the PS3 is region-free right? On anything? games/movies?? I'm thinking of importing one of those 20GB ones....seriously, with shipping included, it's still cheaper right?
Snukadaman @ Jun 20th 2007 7:31PM
"when the hell will 360 beat the PS2?!?!?! COME ON!"
maybe when the xbox 360 is priced at 120 dollars like the ps2??
BeeBuddy @ Jun 20th 2007 7:36PM
Where the hell did the 360's viability in Japan come from? It's a post about a PS3 bundle.
I'm with previous posters, hoping that a bundle like this someday makes it over here to the US
Beni Nkangoh @ Jun 20th 2007 7:35PM
*looks at Wii sales*
*looks at Wii Sports sales*
*looks at PS3 bundle*
*laughs*
*walks away*
Beni Nkangoh @ Jun 20th 2007 7:36PM
*looks at Wii sales*
*looks at Wii Sports sales*
*looks at PS3 bundle*
*laughs*
*walks away*
vidGuy @ Jun 20th 2007 7:38PM
How much is the whole bundle WORTH? "negative 5,800 yen"?
BPM @ Jun 20th 2007 7:51PM
Hikaru, I believe the Blu-ray format is completely region coding free. So, if you have a JP PS3, you could play American PS3 games and Blu-ray movies. However, you could only play Japanese PS2/PS1 games and DVDs (since they still enforce region coding).
"...a distaste for golf..."
Hot Shots Golf (or Minna no Golf (Everybody's Golf), if you wanna call it by its Japanese name) is rather popular in Japan, from what I've heard.
And I know that the Japanese server for Ntreev's PangYa (aka Albatross18 for the American server) is VERY popular. While the US version only has three servers, the Japanese version has many more (I think it's 51...). Plus, there's quite a lot of PangYa merchandising in Japan (trading figures, plush toys, even cosplay costumes!).
Camelot (guys who made the first Hot Shots before joining with Nintendo, then made the Mario Golf games) is coming out with a PC MMO Golf (similar to PangYa, I guess) called Golf Daisuki (We Love Golf).
Sega is releasing their own PC MMO Golf, too, called Sega Splash! Golf.
So... Yeah. I think a good number of people in Japan like golf.
Me? I'm not a fan... but I do love PangYa.
Hikaru @ Jun 20th 2007 7:56PM
@BMP
I checked PlayAsia and they sell the PS3 20GB and 60GB the same as US..WTF?
Hikaru @ Jun 20th 2007 8:01PM
OK, this is getting weird, in NCSX the 20GB version is $629.00 on "SALE"!!! I was hoping something like $450 with shipping, is there anything I'm missing?
Kenban @ Jun 20th 2007 8:28PM
From what I have read there is no official MSRP for the 60GB in Japan. I know its often sold for 59,980 yen though. I have no idea why Amazon.com charges so much for it but I suspect you can find it much cheaper on other websites.
Michael Williams @ Jun 20th 2007 8:33PM
Joystiq your wrong. Play-asia are selling this bundle at a higher price than they sell the normal non-bundle models. So the bundle just means you get Hot Shots cheaper
Frankie @ Jun 20th 2007 8:46PM
@BPM
Thanks for writing up that great report on Japan's love for golf but I think the writer was being facetious when he mentioned Japan's "...distaste in golf..."
BPM @ Jun 20th 2007 8:33PM
Hikaru, that's not a direct retail price. You're also paying for import fees and what not. Play-Asia is a second-hand dealer. So they sell stuff for slightly more than what they pay.
If you actually walked into a Japanese retailer, it would be cheaper than buying a PS3 from Play-Asia.
Granted, that involves going to Japan, and the trip would be more expensive than importing a JP PS3 through Play-Asia, or even just buying a US one.
Kenban, that's correct. Sony gave the 60GB model an "open price" in Japan. Retailers can charge whatever they want for it.
Ebolaboi @ Jun 20th 2007 8:40PM
Ahahaha!
@rahnyc4
"damn is some ones desperate to sell consoles..... "
It is someone. Here you go. "Damn!! Is someone desperate to sell consoles?"
Pay attention in school, and read this website less.
Have a good day X-fan.
BPM @ Jun 20th 2007 8:39PM
Frankie, you know damn well tone doesn't translate well to written text!
Now, was I just being hostile or not? You decide!
sheppy @ Jun 20th 2007 8:48PM
I do have to say it's a smart move on Sony's side. After all, presells on the standalone copy is already over 300,000. If Sony could use the hype for the series to get more PS3s in consumer hands (while cutting a deal), then it's a good thing and not a "desperate thing."
Frankie @ Jun 20th 2007 8:50PM
@BPM
Since "distaste for golf" and "rift in the time-space continuum" were mentioned in the same sentence, I thought that'd be enough to figure out. But whatever, i'm just being nitpicky and want to get out of the office.
Jake @ Jun 20th 2007 8:58PM
Okay, I stand corrected. I called Hot Shotz hardly worth mentioning the other day, and I guess it is really big, like bundle big, in Japan and fairly popular here.
Now, I've played Hot Shots a few times back in the day and its mediocrity has shaped my opinion that it is worthless. I do NOT understand how it is popular. Woods golf is way better. Seriously, is it just because of the art style? Maybe EA should just make an anime version of Woods and let Capcom publish it or something. It could be HUGE.
I give up trying to understand the gaming tastes of people from different cultures. I am clearly not very good at it.
Hikaru @ Jun 20th 2007 8:58PM
AHHHH, I plan to go to Japan this year or early next year....mmmm, so the only way is ti be there or to know someone there that can send it to you...
Matt B @ Jun 20th 2007 9:11PM
@1
Please change your name, I've been here longer than you.
Was the 360/Blue Dragon bundle as sign of desperation also by that thinking?
Hikaru @ Jun 20th 2007 9:22PM
@Matt B Clone
I think this is a sign of smart business decisions, that would be smarter if it comes to the US with the same price ($400-$450 would be nice) and maybe a different game.
sheppy @ Jun 20th 2007 9:37PM
"Now, I've played Hot Shots a few times back in the day and its mediocrity has shaped my opinion that it is worthless. I do NOT understand how it is popular. Woods golf is way better. Seriously, is it just because of the art style? Maybe EA should just make an anime version of Woods and let Capcom publish it or something. It could be HUGE."
Well, Hot Shots Golf is approachable by everybody, thus EVERYBODY'S GOLF. With a ramping difficulty... and believe it or not, widely considered among the best phsyics in any golf sim.
Call me crazy but between a golf game that goes from easy to "damn, that's impossible" with a variety of ways to customize my character without the "urge" to pimp my crib.
Digi Smalls @ Jun 20th 2007 10:26PM
HSG is only 1000x better suited for Japan than Resistance, an FPS, and Motorstorm.
finally something making sense from the Sony camp. late as usual, but not the complete headscratcher of the kind we're so used to.
.
BPM @ Jun 21st 2007 12:38AM
Frankie, speaking of time-space continuum rifts... Seems like the posts here got a bit jumbled up, eh?
I think something is clogging the Internets, too...
Adv2k1 @ Jun 21st 2007 12:39AM
Seriously horrible pack in game. I hate all golf games regardless of console but seriously a kiddy game with ps3 is so stupid. no parent japanese or american would buy child a console over $400 worth because of that game.
the smartest game to pack in ps3 in japane would probably be Virtual Fighter or Ridge Racer since they get 'confused by first person shooters' so resistance fall of man is out of the question
misterhearn @ Jun 21st 2007 12:47AM
Hikaru, just to let you know blu ray is not region free, US movies wouldnt work, HD DVD is region free though.
If you're thinking of getting a P$3 just hold on a bit longer for that price drop and rumble ready bundle thats inevitably on the way. Even @ 400.00 US I wouldnt call it a worthy buy, due to the lack of titles, unless you're really Jonesing for a blu ray player
Vidikron @ Jun 21st 2007 1:51AM
@28
I hope you're kidding, because otherwise you're completely clueless. HSG (Everybody's Golf 5 in Japan) is very popular in Japan. EG5 already has over 300,000 pre-orders there. It's a great series.
Blackthorned @ Jun 21st 2007 4:35AM
The Hot Shots series are actually very good golf games - don't make assumptions based on the cartoon style. The have a lot of depth to them - the PSP version is especially good.
sheppy @ Jun 21st 2007 8:38AM
"Hikaru, just to let you know blu ray is not region free, US movies wouldnt work, HD DVD is region free though."
Technically, you are correct. BluRay is NOT region free. However, Japan and the US are the same region so yes, US movies will work.