Sony PS3 to Be Bundled with Hot Shots Golf in Japan

Minna no Golf, known as Hot Shots Golf in the United States, is a golf game developed by Sony. Rather then trying to be realistic, Hot Shots Golf offers a fast paced, fun, arcadey golf experience, with a wide array of goofy, memorable characters, a variety of courses and gameplay modes, and solid, tight gameplay. While the series hasn't had been an extremely popular series in the US and Europe, its fared well. In Japan, however, the Hot Shots Golf series is wildly popular, with 4 titles in the main game series and a few side games available on the Sony PSP.

IGN.com has reported that the newest Hot Shots Golf title, the fifth title in the series, is being highly anticipated in Japan. The release is scheduled for July 24, and is currently the most anticipated game to be released for the PS3 yet, even more so then blockbuster hits Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm. With the release of Hot Shots Golf 5 only about a month away from its Japanese release, Sony has decided to promote the game by offering it in a special limited time offer bundle package with both the 60 GB PS3 and the 20 GB PS3. Officially called the Plastation 3 Beginner Package, it comes with either the 20 GB or 60 GB PS3 and a brand new copy of Hot Shots Golf 5, all packed in a new, special box. The 60 GB PS3 bundle package will sell for about 61,980 yen, or about $500 in US dollars. The 20 GB bundle package will retail for about 51,980 yen, or about $420 in US dollars. This is quite a deal, giving Japanese gamers Hot Shots Golf 5 for about 4,000 yen or about 75% off. While its not a HUGE price cut, its expected this deal will move quite a few PS3 consoles, especially with the recent gains Blu Ray DVD has been making. Also, another interesting fact about this bundle is that Sony is continuing the sale of its 20 GB PS3, which has been discontinued in other areas of the world, notably the United States and the United Kingdom. So far, the deal has been announced as Japan only.

This leaves us wondering if Sony will launch any other special promotion packages, in and outside Japan. Another highly anticipated game, Lair, is due out in the beginning of August in the US and Europe, and it would be great if Sony offered a bundle package with that, especially if they offered it at the bargain price of $500 US dollars. Come on Sony, cut us a deal too!