Sony Bundles Hot Shots with PS3

Console makers have always released special edition console bundles with the latest big game for their systems; and Sony is no exception. The biggest PS3 game yet in Japan is now about a month from launch and Sony is making sure it does well.

Following a heavily promoted demo of Hot Shots Golf 5 (Minna no Golf 5 in Japan), the company has announced a new PS3 package to coincide with the game's release on the 26th of July.

Known as the PlayStation 3 Beginners' Pack, this bundle includes the console, a copy of the game and some new box art on the package. It will be available in 20GB and 60GB varieties for the princely sum of 51,980 ($420) and 61,980 yen ($500) respectively.

The price of the bundle represents a saving of almost 4,000 yen off the price of buying the hardware and game separately. It's not exactly a price drop, but it may draw in a few people still indecisive over a PS3 purchase.