PS3 'Bundle' Expected Out Before Black Friday

Ars Technica reports: Sony has the burden of being the highest-priced console on retail shelves at the moment. Both Microsoft and Nintendo are coming in under $300, while the PS3 is $400 for a new system. People are buying games and systems, but it's clear that price is important: Sony has to find a way to increase perceived value while not taking a bath on selling the systems at a loss. Which means bundles! 

Kotaku has a picture of what appears to be a new PlayStation 3 bundle, and it's pretty nice. For $399.99 you get: 

• An 80GB PS3 system
• Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction
• Casino Royale on Blu-ray

This bundle is supposed to go on sale on November 28, and it's unclear whether other retailers will get these bundles or if this is a Best Buy exclusive. If you've been waiting for an excuse to finally pick up a PS3, this isn't a bad one: the game is fun, the movie is a good showpiece for Blu-ray, and they're both effectively free. 

While a price drop would still be more preferable, we'll take what we can get. This is a nice surprise, and it comes just in time for Black Friday. 

Also on Ars Technica:

• Holiday Gift Guide 2008
• Skeptical Welcome for Online Privacy Forum
• Review: Sonic Unleashed