New PlayStation Vita Bundle Pushes PlayStation Plus
November 27, 2012
Sony really wants PlayStation Vita owners to get on board with the PlayStation Plus service now that the latter has come to the former, so to push encouragement to subscribe, the company is prepping a new Vita bundle that features the Plus service front and center. GameStop is promoting the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection bundle that includes a 3G/Wi-Fi Vita for its usual $300 price tag along with one year of Plus, a voucher for Unit 13, and a 4 GB memory card. Vita titles that are currently a part of the Instant Game Collection including Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Gravity Rush are promoted in the marketing material which leads me to believe that those games aren't going to be removed from Plus for a while. Here's the marketing hype:
- Instant Game Collection bundle includes the PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi system, 1-year membership to PlayStation®Plus, Unit 13 game voucher, and 4GB Memory Card.
- Immediate collection of hit games, including Uncharted Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, WipEout®2048, Unit 13, and more.
- Cross-platform membership - one PlayStation®Plus membership works across both the PS Vita system and PS3 system, unlocking 6 games for your PS Vita and 12 additional games for your PS3 with new games added every month.
- Exclusive discounts of 10% - 75% on the PlayStation®Store.
- Console gaming in your hands with the ultimate control of Dual Analog Sticks and incredible graphics through the high-definition 5" OLED touch screen.
- Stay connected via 3G using AT&T's Mobile Broadband Network.
- All-in-one bundle offers over $99 in savings.
While Plus is a tremendous value for PlayStation owners (I've been a happy subscriber since the service launched), I really have to question including only a 4 GB memory card in this bundle when the whole selling point behind it is to download the games available on Plus. Uncharted alone nearly fills the 4 GB card. It would make much more sense to pack in at least a 8 GB card (or, better yet, 16 GB), but those cards are how Sony seemingly makes most of its Vita money at the moment (the markup on those cards is ridiculous), so even thought there are savings to be had here, beware the hidden startup costs associated with storage if you plan to get the most out of this bundle.
(via GamerXChange)