SCEA announces new hardware bundles

SCEA has announced details of new PS3 and PSP hardware bundles at its annual retail and publisher conference.

The company also announced that the wireless DualShock 3 controller will be available in North America in April for a suggested retail price of USD 54.95.

SCEA will introduce a bundle containing an 80GB PS3 console with the DualShock 3 controller and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for USD 499 in late Q2 2008.

In June, SCEA will release a limited-edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack for USD 199.99, which consists of a copy of the God of War: Chains of Olympus PSP game and a "deep red" coloured PSP handheld with a silk-screened image of Kratos on the back of the unit. The pack will also include a UMD of the movie Superbad as well as a PSN voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is scheduled for release on March 4.

"Working closely with our retail and publishing partners and sharing our hardware and software roadmaps at Destination PlayStation gives us a great opportunity to outline some key milestones for the year," said SCEA CEO Jack Tretton.

"In response to incredible demand, we will be manufacturing more 80GB PS3s for North America and the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 80GB PS3 bundle is an ideal way to offer that continued value to our consumers.

"With Blu-ray having won the format war, our stellar software line-up and a broad product portfolio, we will continue to drive the incredible momentum we've been generating since last fall."

SCEA also announced a nationwide pre-sell promotion for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots which will guarantee access to a multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online scheduled for late April.