SCE Europe and SCE Australia have confirmed the release of a Grand Theft Auto IV PlayStation 3 bundle in Europe and Australia. The bundle includes a 40GB PlayStation 3, a Sixaxis, and a copy of the game. Pricing for the UK is GBP 320, versus AU$750 down-under, and €439 for Europe - no news for those of you in North America. Another pic after the jump.
The rumours were true - SCE Australia is preparing a PlayStation 3 Grand Theft Auto IV bundle for release alongside the game on April 29. Newspaper advertisements from a major retailer put the bundle price at $748 - not a bad deal considering the PS3 is currently fetching $699, and GTA IV itself is priced at a whopping $120.
No details on the storage size, or whether the new bundle includes a DualShock 3 controller in preference of the antiquated Sixaxis - I have pinged Sony for a response, so stay tuned.
via Screen Play
Ubisoft, the Australian distributor for Namco Bandai, has confirmed the Australian release date of Soul Calibur IV as July 31, 2008. John Parkes, Marketing Director at Ubisoft is pretty chuffed:
We are thrilled to be bringing Soulcalibur’s successful heritage to PAL territories as it sets into motion a new echelon of dynamic gameplay and exceptional game graphics on next generation platforms […] Offering players an ultimate fighting game experience, Soulcalibur IV will definitely be an owners ‘must have’ in building their game collection library
via PALGN
While Rockstar Games are remaining tight-lipped regarding what was cut from the Australian and New Zealand versions of Grand Theft Auto IV, one enterprising gamer decided to call Take-Two’s (expensive) customer service line:
Okay guys, I have some news for you regarding what was edited from the AU release. I just gave Take2 a call (a friggin expensive 1902 number!) and this is exactly what I was told:
“Well in regards to what Rockstar have removed for the Australian release, as far as we’re aware there was only one sexually violent cut-scene which Rockstar felt would cause the game to be Refused Classification. Unfortunately we’re not able to go into specifics until after the game has been released but I can tell you that the scene involves a weapon being inserted into an enemies private area during a mission where Niko is taking revenge after one of his close friends was forced into sexual intercourse during his stay in prison.”
Seriously I thought he was joking ….I was like LOL you’re joking right? He says “No. This is what Rockstar felt needed to be removed from the game for it’s Australian release. We were recently given permission to release this information because as we understand, Rockstar originally made a press release stating that the game would be released uncut world wide. We felt it would be misleading not to release the information”.
While many would argue the absence of a particularly violent cutscene is inconsequential to the GTA IV experience, the idea of paying nearly double the price (AU$120 converts to US$112) for a censored version of a game is proving a hard one to swallow for many Australians.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Australians are cancelling their pre-orders of Grand Theft Auto IV in a backlash against Rockstar Games and the government, after finding out their AUD$120 (US$112) purchase will leave them with a censored version of the game.
Many Australian gamers have cancelled their [GTA IV] orders.
Already angered by the price of the blockbuster in Australia - $120 compared to $US60 ($64) in North America - gamers have reacted with outrage to news… that developer Rockstar has edited the game for Australia in order to obtain an MA15+ rating.
Many gamers said they cancelled their orders with Australian shops and will import a cheaper, uncut version, flouting the law.
Australians are faced with a tough decision - either pay through the nose for a censored version of the game to play on launch day, or wait a few days for an International courier to arrive with their unedited copy of the game and hope that Rockstar Games and/or South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson (the main roadblock to an R 18+ rating for games) read us loud and clear.
SCE Australia has announced a release date for the DualShock 3. In stores on April 24, the DualShock 3 has been priced at a truly ridiculous AUD$99.95.
New Zealand is left waiting until May 9, and paying NZ$109.95.
Of course, The Gamer Gene strongly recommends importing DualShock 3s from Play-Asia - they’re only US$54.90 (AUD$59.30) so even with express shipping you’re likely to save nearly $30.
Konami has announced that the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta will be open to Australians. Look for the free beta on the Australian PlayStation Store this Thursday (April 17) - play commences on April 21 and ceases May 6.
Atari has also confirmed the Australian release date for Metal Gear Solid 4 will be the same as the rest of the world - June 12, 2008.
via PALGN
We’ve just got word that Mario Kart Wii will arrive in Australia on April 24 - a week before the usually luckier gamers in the US get their fix. While first-party Wii games are usually under AU$80, Mario Kart Wii gets a recommended retail price of $99.95 due to being bundled with the undeniably crappy Wii Wheel accessory.
Wii Fit will arrive on May 8, and will set you back $149.95 for the software and balance board. The UK release date of April 25 means they will be the first to get the game outside Japan, and the US release date of May 19 means they will have to be content with lucky last place.
Activision has released the Guitar Hero III Wii Double Pack in Australia, which includes two guitars and the remastered, stereo-capable version of the game. You should be able to pick it up now for under AUD$170.
Sony has finally announced the PAL release of Riff: Everyday Shooter - not via press release, but during a nice chat with Eurogamer. The price comes in at £4.99, with no Australian price revealed - but last time something cost £4.99, Australians paid $12.95.
via Eurogamer
