Last week's leaked Best Buy Black Friday ad outed the two new Nintendo DSi bundles, each packed with a unique assortment of DSiWare, which left us wondering if the DSi would come preloaded with games from here on out. Apparently not, as Nintendo's official announcement plays the "While supplies last" card.

Otherwise, the information is the same. You've got the Metallic Blue DSi packed with five Mario titles - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator, and Mario Clock; and the White DSi bundle with three Brain Age Express titles, Clubhouse Games, and Photo Clock.

"These limited-edition bundles come packed with some of the great Nintendo DSiWare games and applications that have made Nintendo DSi such a big hit with shoppers young and old," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The special price and pre-installed titles make the bundles a huge value for the holidays."

So if your retailer is participating and you're done playing Guitar Hero, this might be a good time to upgrade to a Nintendo DS with two cameras and downloadable games.

Coming September 8th, the Platinum Hits Triple Pack takes the three Platinum Hits titles and squishes them together into one piece of confused game box art. Devil May Cry 4, Dead Rising, and Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - Colonies Edition are then packed into a DVD case affixed with said art, making for one lovely bundle of three games, at least two of which you've already played. Even at the bargain price of $39.99, this bundle probably isn't for you. I would imagine that a parent purchasing a first Xbox 360 for their teenager this holiday season will find the lure of three acclaimed titles in one package extremely alluring. If my mother rolled up Christmas morning with a new 360 and the Platinum Hits Triple Pack, I would feel horrible for only printing her out a card on my inkjet again this year.

Target stores across the country are currently receiving, sitting on, or awaiting stock of a new 80GB PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits Bundle, which comes complete with the reissued budget versions of the original Motorstorm and Resistance. The sku number in question is 207-23-0009, originally revealed over at Joystiq. Several stores we contacted actually had the units in stock, but when they attempted to actually ring them through the register they received a warning that the product could not be sold until March 29th, days over the close of next week's Game Developers Conference.

Perhaps dashing the hopes of a pre-GDC price cut, the new bundles were priced the same as the standard 80GB PlayStation 3 - $399.99. Of course it's technically $60 due to the inclusion of two $30 titles, but do you really need those when two superior sequels are already on store shelves?

Image courtesy of Joystiq

Capcom vice president of business development and strategic planning Christian Svensson, speaking to VideoGamer.com, names summer as the target release date for the PC version of the fourth game in their venerable fighting franchise, while revealing plans to possibly deliver the game to store shelves bundled together with Mad Catz's highly sought-after arcade controllers.

"We rolled out our Mad Catz sticks and pads, and the interesting thing to note about all of those sticks and pads is they all work with PC as well. We may, and I'm in talks with Mad Catz to figure out how can we actually do some bundles of pads and Street Fighter IV PC."

Hopefully the damn sticks will actually be available once the summer rolls around.

Street Fighter IV PC coming this summer [VideoGamer.com]

“Our knowledgeable sales force will provide our customers with expert advice on the new gaming merchandise offered at hhgregg as part of our superior purchase experience that is unmatched in the industry,” said hhgregg President and COO, Dennis May.

Expert advice on products they've only just now started carrying - that's the Hhgregg promise. Hopefully the experts sell the nunchucks needed to complete that bundle.

hhgregg Launches Gaming Business Across Chain

Retailer to Provide One-Stop Shop for Popular Video Game Bundles

INDIANAPOLIS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics leader, hhgregg (NYSE:HGG) today announced its entrance into the gaming business. The retailer will be selling video game bundles with popular games and various other accessories in each of its 109 locations across its nine-state network, beginning on November 28, 2008.

“As hhgregg continues its disciplined growth, we are committed to continually assessing our product offerings to best meet the needs of our customers,” said hhgregg Chairman and CEO, Jerry Throgmartin. “We are pleased to now offer our loyal patrons some of the most popular merchandise in the gaming market today. hhgregg will provide our customers with a convenient, one-stop gaming solution, packaging gaming consoles with its respective games, controllers and other accessories. This customer-friendly gaming package will make a great gift for the upcoming holiday season.”

hhgregg’s initial assortment of gaming inventory will include Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade, Xbox 360 Pro, Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii. In addition, hhgregg will offer top gaming accessories for these platforms, including “Guitar Hero” and Wii accessories. The company will also be carrying hand-held gaming devices, such as Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

hhgregg will be conducting its industry-leading training program with its sales staff to ensure they are properly educated on all gaming products. Renowned for its experienced sales teams, hhgregg associates undergo a rigorous training process to help the customer make the most informed purchase decision possible.

“Our knowledgeable sales force will provide our customers with expert advice on the new gaming merchandise offered at hhgregg as part of our superior purchase experience that is unmatched in the industry,” said hhgregg President and COO, Dennis May.

Tomb Raider Underworld and Gears 2 also get a look-in. We assume the 'Bond' pack is Quantum of Solace unless those GoldenEye 64 XBLA rumors were true.

Full details after the jump.

17/10/2008

-X360 VALUE PACK ELITE 120 Go ( Lego Indiana Jones/KungFu Panda) - 299.00 Euros
-X360 VALUE PACK PRO 60 Go (Lego Indiana Jones/KungFu Panda) - 239.00 Euros
-X360 VALUE PACK ARCADE (Sega Superstar Tennis + XBLA games) - 179.00 Euros

07/11/2008

-PACK X360 60 Go + Gears of War 2 - 269.00 Euros
-PACK X360 60 Go + James Bond - 269.00 Euros

21/11/2008

-PACK X360 60 Go + Tomb Raider + 1200 MS Points - 269.00 Euros

12/12/2008

-PACK X360 60 Go + Prince of Persia - 269.00 Euros

Tous les packs Xbox 360 de Noël annoncés [Xboxygen via NeoGaf]

The SOCOM folks broke down the bundle options on their site a bit earlier today and it looks an awful lot like the options Warhawk gamers were given. While they haven't yet nailed it down, the team hopes to have the game hit the rest of the world at the same time.

And now for your choices:

$59.99 SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (Bundle Version)
Includes SOCOM Confrontation, a newly designed Bluetooth® Headset for the PLAYSTATION®3 system and exclusive Behind the Scenes videos.

$39.99 SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (Stand Alone Version)
For all of the people who want SOCOM: Confrontation on a disc. Does not include the headset or the Behind the Scenes videos.

$39.99 SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation on the PlayStation Network
SOCOM Confrontation downloadable from the PSN without ever leaving you couch. Does not include the headset or the Behind the Scenes videos.

I sure hope that headset is SOCOM-themed. If you're going to buy the game, which option do you think you will be picking up.

More headset pics here

The bundles, retailing in Europe for €60, include one Siaxis controller and one of the following games: F1, GT5 Prologue, Folklore or MotorStorm. Looks like the package deal will be Europe-only, though.

I realize the wording on this can be confusing so allow me to clarify just to be sure it's understood. Rock Band will always be available as a bundle. However until 2008 it will only be available as a bundle. Once the new year hits you'll be able to buy the separate peripherals, until then it's bundles only. Hopefully that's got it explained properly.

For all the rockin details on this and other subjects, be sure to check out bbps' great and informative interview.

Rock Band: the bundles, dlc pricing, the Guitar Hero stigma, disconnected gaming and more [the bbps]

Can you feel it? Nope. PLAYSTATION 3 fever has slowed. Tracking firm NotifyWire says software bundling and high prices have created a bottleneck of consoles online. According to the company, consumer demand has cooled considerably compared to the Xbox 360 craze at the same time last year. NotifyWire president Ian Drake says:

I think we're already at the point where people won't pay a premium for the console or be forced into buying bundles... Last year we tracked several one thousand dollar Xbox 360 bundles which would sell out in less than two minutes after becoming available... I think people are tired of being gouged on eBay.

Good to see lessons have been learnt. Just wait until next Spring when the games get better and more consoles appear in stores. Folks in Europe, sit back till Fall or next next Spring. Heh. Brian Ashcraft

PS3 Demand Slowing [Games Industry]

It took far, far, far too long, but I finally managed to purchase a 60GB Playstation 3 for last month's contest winner.

Turns out that not only are they hard to find, every online site selling them, and I do mean every, forces you to by obscene bundles. After passing up several deals I finally decided to bend over for Wal-Mart and purchased a $1,000 bundle. We're shipping of the console to the winner, but now I have a bunch of games and a controller to give away.

Any suggestions for how we should do it? Brian Crecente

Those of you looking to hit your local Fry's Electronics may want either pull a little extra out of savings or skip the store altogether, should you be looking for a PlayStation 3 or Wii this weekend.

We got the following tip from Judyna who pointed us to a Fry's retail employee Thad Hopkins personal site:

I work in the software department (console games) at Fry's electronics. Today, my supervisor informed me that we would not be allowing anyone to purchase a PS3 without also purchasing 8 games. What a launch day surprise, right? Show up, wait in line for hours and hours, run into the store, and THEN find out that, sorry, we forgot to tell you, but you'll need to buy 8 games if you want the console.

At $60 a piece for the software titles, we're talking upwards of $1080 just to get a PS3 from Fry's.

Before you Wii fans shrug this news off, I was also informed that customers will be required to buy 5 Wii titles to be allowed to purchase a Wii console.

I was warned to tell no one about this, no matter what, even if they asked. So, of course, I'm telling you about it. Fry's, to the best of my knowledge, plans on getting customers into the store on launch day before informing of them of the ploy to manipulate more money out of desperate gamers.

I just got off the phone with two Fry's employees at Burbank and Manhattan Beach, California locations who confirmed that the PS3 and Wii will only be sold as a bundle, but exactly what that would consist of, neither would disclose. According to them, they'll find out exactly when we do: this Friday. Campers beware. Michael McWhertor

Fry's Screws You Over

[Update: Check the jump for possible bundle info.]

Reader Matt squeezed a little more info out of one of his nearby Fry's employees.

I noticed the newest article about Fry's PS3 budle and decided to call the one closest to me, Houston branch, and to my suprise the bundle is actually real, but I have a little more info. The PS3 is going to be sold as 20 and 60gig in the bundles, and it also includes you buying a warranty.

The PS3 games included: NBA 2K7, Resistance: Fall of Man, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, Madden 07, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, and another game (Sorry I called back to check up on it and now they wont give out the info).

The Wii bundle Includes: Madden NFL 07, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, GT Pro Series, and Rampage: Total Destruction. I will tell you guys none of this is final but this is what they told me before they went all hush hush.

Yuck. Good thing I wasn't planning on going anywhere near a Fry's to begin with.

Yeah. $100. That isn't a typo. $100. Just to be clear, that's $100. Got it? One hundred dollars. American.

They point to the "Core System" as the model to be promotionally slashed, but don't give any other specifics about what else to expect. Keep your eyes peeled and your F5 well-oiled for maximum cheap ass gaming potential. Michael McWhertor

Amazon To Sell Xbox 360 for $100? [Techcrunch]

Putting the "special" back in specialty retailer, Gamestop (aka EBgames) is not only bundle-screwing their customers to the tune of $700 if they want to order a Nintendo Wii from them, they're not even selling The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess online unless you order a Wii bundle.

That $700 Wii bundle will net you six games, including The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and Madden NFL 2007, plus a 1 GB SD card, second Wii-mote, a Game Informer subscription, and a handy product replacement plan.

My opinion? Don't buy. With an estimated 4 million units shipping before the end of the year, I have a hard time believing you, Joe Consumer, won't be able to walk into Target, a Best Buy, a Circuit City, and score one, along with games you actually want. Rage against the bundle machine! Don't let the Man dictate what you buy!

So angry right now. Seriously, why do you people shop at these places? Surly, often grossly misinformed employees forced to push used games, strategy guides, and replacement plans, plus scornful looks and venomous reprimands from the staff when I don't pre-order a game ahead of time—it plainly sucks. Michael McWhertor

GameStop.com selling Zelda only with Wii bundle [Gamespot]

Thompson Verbally Attacks Judge
EB Games Wii Pre-Order Bundles
Gamers Camp-out Over Night for Wii
Playboys Women of Games Hit Shelves, Eliza Unimpressed
Feature: Bach Talks 360 Cam Porn, Ratings and Clinton
Life on a Train
Japan's Scary PS3 Open Price Not So Scary
SNK On Witching Touching Game
Tell Me About Coop Games on the 360
NOW: Wii Demo Units Not Just at GameStop
Sony Happy with PS3 Pre-Order Results
Reserving a PS3 in Japan is Super Easy
GameStop: Our PS3s Sold-Out Nationwide
Drink Your Rice with Pikachu
PS3 Linewaiters Talk Next-Gen
Exclusive: Playboy's Women of Video Games Picture
This Day in Gaming

Okay, that 360 deal we posted about this morning turned out to have been a dud. Not because the deal wasn't legit. Unbelievably, it was... all part of Fry's big anniversary sale. But they sold out of them almost instantaneously.

We would have left it there. We're ineffably lazy. Not so our breathren at Consumerist who called Outpost and asked, in their shrill, whining voice, "What IS up with that?"

And from Fry's came the good news: set your alarms for 5AM EST on Saturday, October 14th. Fry's promises that they will be offering a 360 Bundle every bit as good as the Premium Bundle with Dead Rising, Saint's Row and Test Drive Unlimited. Florian Eckhardt

Get A Sweet Xbox360 Bundle This Weekend [Consumerist]

This deal is so good I have a very hard time believing that it's not just a misprint, but our Gawker bruddas over at Consumerist have taken time away from complaining about shampoo bottles to point out that, right now, Outpost.com is selling the Xbox 360 Premium for $359.96.

Not that great a price, I know. But then they are throwing in Saint's Row, Dead Rising and Test Drive Unlimited.

End price for the console plus three games? Still only $359.96. Buy those all separately and you'd be spending about $200 more.

If this is legit, and Outpost honors it, it's the best deal on a 360 you're going to see this side of Christmas. Florian Eckhardt

Xbox 360 Premium Bundle with 3 Games for $359.96 [Consumerist]

Edit: Okay, this appears not to be working... the page is, indeed, up, but you can't add it to your cart. If it starts working, we'll update!

GamesIndustry dot Biz is just positive that MS will be releasing the HD-DVD add on at a 199 cost to consumers. That's about 374 US dollars given current exchange rates, something that UK to North American pricing rarely reflects. If we're talking pounds to dollars, the UK is usually on the receiving end of earlier mentioned screwing, pricewise.

The dot Biz also claims that Allard, Moore, Gates & Co. will be bundling that HD-DVD movie player alongside a Premium pack, somewhere in the range of 375-400. Fair deal? Depends on who wins the next-gen format war. Michael McWhertor

Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive to cost 199 [GamesIndustry.biz]

Tipster David "El Guapo" Silva let us know that the Mexican Xbox 360 site updated with details on the bundle this week.

The cost is $5499 Mexican Pesos, or around $505 USD. Add to that the hefty 10% sales tax and it rounds out to around $555 USD. The page doesn't say if it includes the three months of gold live or the points, though. It probably doesn't, we always get shafted.

You're getting shafted? What about us? Such is the plight of the American consumer. Gracias, David! Michael McWhertor

Bundle PGR3 Est s Preparado?

That means I won't be picking up Tekken: Dark Resurrection for the PSP. I have enough fighting games, but those lucky Koreans will have the option of picking up this pretty sweet PSP Gigapack, which is all Tekken-ed out, for a mere 358,000 won. Cheap? Michael McWhertor

SCEK Tekken Dark Resurrction Gigapack [Ruliweb]