PS3 fans now don’t have to be jealous of other countries. Sony announced today that they’ll be bringing a white, limited-edition model of the “slim” PS3 to North American stores on January 27th. But that’s not all, as the system comes with some enticing bonuses. For $299, you’ll get a white PS3 console with a 500GB hard drive, matching controller, and a one-year PlayStation Plus membership.
The PS Plus membership is the most exciting thing about the bundle (aside from the console itself) because with that, you essentially get 12 free games for your new console right away thanks to Sony’s “Instant Game Collection” offering: a revolving door of some of the PlayStation Network’s most popular content, including LittleBigPlanet 2, Infamous 2, Retro City Rampage, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Plus, you can download future additions to the collection for free. PLUS, early access to demos, free game trials, and extras, like access to the God of War: Ascension multiplayer beta, and regular PS Plus discounts on games through the PlayStation Network store.
The catch with PS Plus is you’ll have to renew that membership to keep the free games: it’s $50 a year. But when you consider all you get, that’s not a bad deal at all.
Back to the console itself, gamers have long envied Japan for seemingly always getting the special differently-colored consoles, so this is a win for North American PS3 fans.