Sony announces new PS3 bundle for UK
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Jan 14th 2008 at 9:00AM }
The bundle, which will retail for £349.99 GBP, allows consumers to pick two games from a list of first-party titles to accompany the console. The list includes big 2007 titles like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, and SingStar (with microphones). With the 40GB PS3 normally priced at £299.99, this deal probably won't incite a voracious demand for the console, but it is a nice way to pick up a few games on the cheap with a new system.
Full list of titles available through the offer after the break.
- Folklore
- Formula One
- Genji: Days of the Blade
- Heavenly Sword
- Lair
- Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Ridge Racer 7
- SingStar (including microphones)
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
- Warhawk (including headset)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TomCo @ Jan 14th 2008 9:07AM
Thats nearly $700 to put things into perspective for US readers
Manic Inc @ Jan 14th 2008 9:12AM
The UK always has to pay nearly twice as much as the US for virtually everthing. You can't really compare. You guys can pick up a PS3 proberbly for not much more than what we pay for a Wii... It's always been this way.
Slaziman (B-B-BRUSHED WITH FAAAAME) @ Jan 14th 2008 10:03AM
On the other hand, the taxes that make the items so expensive are used to improve the quality of life of the British. So it all evens out... kinda.
Dan @ Jan 14th 2008 10:43AM
And UK sales prices include VAT... wheras US sales prices don't, which makes them look cheaper than they really are.
Poisoned Al @ Jan 14th 2008 12:04PM
Also remember that the US dollar is very weak and the pound is strong against the dollar. But yeah, I don't know why put up with this shit. Except that you notice it less when you're getting screwed a little every day, rather butt raped once a year like in the states.
ssuk @ Jan 14th 2008 12:07PM
Allow me to introduce you yanks to VAT. VAT is a variable tax ammount which at the moment sits at 17.5%. Now, take your $399, 40GB PS3 base model (With Spiderman 3 Bluray movie), At the current exchange rate (About 1.95~, round it up to the nearest whole is about 2), So it's about £200. 17.5% is £35. Quick maths: £200 + £35 = £235.
Now, however you slice it, £235 isn't near £299.99 which is the R.R.P of the PS3 40GB base model in Europe. That extra £65 is about the worth of TWO PS3 games in America (1 game at $60 = about £30 each, two is about £60 / 2 PS3 games (at standard £39.99) is about £80 for UK releases).
So yeah, that extra £50 ($100) they've tacked on is just there to milk us of money, VAT or not. Get your facts straight before you try jumping to conclusions.
jimmy @ Feb 24th 2008 8:35AM
jeez if thats 700 american then i'd hate to see canadian
Manic Inc @ Jan 14th 2008 9:09AM
This is actually pretty pointless. Amazon.co.uk sell the PS3 for £280, and Ratchet/Uncharted + most other titles for £35 or less. Works out as the same price.
Unless retailers hack another £10/20 off this bundles RRP it's proberbly cheaper to buy individually. Then again they proberbly will take money off the RRP.
Karen @ Jan 14th 2008 9:31AM
I just looked it up at Amazon.co.uk this isn't a deal at all you can get the same package now for £350.
paragraph @ Jan 14th 2008 10:02AM
1 word: Shipping
That is what retailers have on online stores.
Honestly, it's not a bundle, but if you call it a bundle, and treat it like a bundle, people might think they are saving money.
jsn @ Jan 14th 2008 10:13AM
it just shows how bad the overall picture still is for Sony. Release a game, if game becomes a decent seller, bundle it in an attempt to sell more hardware units. It's like something Microsoft would do in Japan, but Sony is doing it EVERYWHERE.
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 14th 2008 10:39AM
Lol...so true.
B1gC72 @ Jan 14th 2008 10:48AM
well they gotta do what they gotta do. they are only using first party games though. they are really trying hard to get back in this race (because they showed what arrogance gets you when they first launched). good news for us PS3 owners though cause the more they sell, the more attractive it is to developers.
kbomb1upc @ Jan 14th 2008 10:56AM
When did bundles become a sign of weakness? Everyone bundles. The Wii bundles Wii sports, Microsoft have had several US bundles (Forza, Marvel:DA and Xbox Arcade) they even copied Sony in Japan (Devil May Cry 4). That's how the industry tries to make their console look more inciting by offering a "Deal". I don't think this is a bad thing, at lest they are offering good games.
Noshino @ Jan 14th 2008 10:59AM
"Release a game, if game becomes a decent seller, bundle it in an attempt to sell more hardware units."
How is that bad? I mean, the DS does it with almost every game....and we both know its sales numbers...
jsn @ Jan 14th 2008 11:07AM
kbomb1ups:
It's a sign of weakness when you're cranking out a new bundle every month after having a successful (or semi-successful) game release. So far Sony has made a bundle around every decent first party game they've had. RFOM, Heavenly sword, Motostorm, and now Ratchet and Drakes.
lets face it, we know they're in a weak position in the console market. It's not like we're speculating. This just proves that they know where they are in this race.
Co @ Jan 14th 2008 11:09AM
"How is that bad? I mean, the DS does it with almost every game....and we both know its sales numbers..."
The rate they're goin right now, Nintendo could fart to sell more hardware units.
kbomb1upc @ Jan 14th 2008 11:22AM
I agree with you when you say that Sony is in a bad position right now but I don't believe them using bundles as a sell point in a weakness. The bundles are tailored to the people that have been holding out for a console for the sake off saving a few pennies. So in that case bundles help. But at least they are allowing you to pick whatever game you want instead of forcing a game you don't want to play.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 14th 2008 1:18PM
Meh... bundles have always been around regardless of the console's position. Perhaps they are making various bundles to drive sales, but maybe they would have done so regardless. And what's your point anyway? We all know the PS3 is lagging behind. You act like this is some new revelation to the rest of us. Is there really any need for you to point this out everyday? You're getting nearly as bad as Fernando.
Gangsta Smurf @ Jan 14th 2008 11:52AM
I think I'd wait till it's a TAD bit cheaper, TBQH.
Loki_d20 @ Jan 14th 2008 11:58AM
PS3 sales are on par with the first year XBox 360 sales. Considering the competition they had versus the lack of competition for the 360, they're doing pretty well but still fighting an uphill battle.
Sales bundles are a great way for the mass market to be encouraged into buying the system. I know I'd rather have gotten my 80GB PS3 + a title of my choice rather than Motorstorm since I never play racing games.
ssuk @ Jan 14th 2008 12:14PM
Many were holding out for the PS3, considering how popular the PS2 was and how unsuccessful the original Xbox was. However, Sony's bad PR and pricing has pushed many undecided people towards the 360 camp now. It's all well and good saying that there 'wasn't competition', but that is a blessing as much as it is a burden, especially when the consumer knows there WILL be competition and competition from a company which was the top-dog last generation.
ssuk @ Jan 14th 2008 11:57AM
You fu--... WHAT? they have the BALLS to charge us EXTRA? That's $700 USD... You pay $500 for the PS3 unit itself, games at $60USD (x 2) = $620 USD. What the fuck are they charging us extra for? Do your 'largest consumer market' a break, Sony and don't raise that price. At the moment, you're breaking even with the Xbox 360 Elite at your price, include 2 games without raising the price and just THINK about how much you're going to 1UP Microsoft?
After all the bullshit you've given Europe, Sony, I think you owe us some slack.
ssuk @ Jan 14th 2008 12:10PM
Sorry, I made a slight mistake... You pay $400 for the PS3 40GB base model, not $500.
Poisoned Al @ Jan 14th 2008 12:21PM
Not bad, but it's STILL more then the Elite packs. Hopefully in a few months there will be more reasons for getting the damn thing.
Not yet tho.
WorMzy @ Jan 14th 2008 12:23PM
Somehow Sony doesn't seem to have grasped the idea that higher price = lower sales. Instead of say, lowering the price of that oversized powerhouse, they're deciding to throw in a couple of games and raise the price even higher so that even less people can afford it.
Gangsta Smurf @ Jan 14th 2008 12:47PM
I actually held out for a PS3 when it was announced even though I had all systems last gen but it's shit like this that keeps me from making the big leap.
Loki_d20 @ Jan 14th 2008 12:57PM
The amount more that GB pays for this deal is on par with the typical higher prices of goods that GB pays overall.
Honestly, I'm happier with my $499.99 80GB PS3 than I am with my $349.99 20GB XBox 360 Pro Bundle + $94.99 wireless adapter + 25.99 quick charge kit (just in case you're not keeping track, that's a total of $470.97).
People complain about the prices because they don't pay attention to the fact that to get the same thing, you end up paying about the same price. Only thing is, the PS3 is a better machine when it comes to quality, design, and lack of reliance on proprietary components. It's not the better gaming console, but what it gives you is definitely more worth it than what the 360 gives you (I want to kill my 360's disc drive whenever I'm playing a game, sounds like it's going to die any second).
bigsofty @ Jan 14th 2008 5:22PM
B.S. I bought my 360 for £180, with a controller and free game... um, whats the cheapes PS3 model again... lol...!
bigsofty @ Jan 14th 2008 5:17PM
I wont buy a PS3 till it matches the US price + Import taxes + VAT, and thats about £220, SONY, yeah Sony we in the UK do know you are screwin us!!