MGS4 Release Date....Released [UPDATED}

A bit late with the major announcements, today Sony detailed plans for an 80gb PS3 coming in June for $499 -- with a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4 as well as a hot off the factory line DualShock 3. Oh snap! Did they just announce the release date?! Let's go with...sort of. Here's the breakdown:

-Sony says there's a bundle with MGS4 in it, coming in June.
-Sony announces plans for a, "Metal Gear Online Starter Pack"with pre-orders of MGS4...

"For those eager to take on Solid Snake's nemesis, Liquid Ocelot, a nationwide pre-sell promotion will enable gamers to pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and be guaranteed access to a multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online scheduled for late April."

Seriously folks, press releases really read like this. But wait, there's more!

-Though Sony has confirmed June as the launch month for MGS4's PS3 bundle, they're more vague with regards to an actual day...

"...to coincide with the much-anticipated North American launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in late Q2 2008."

For those who were wondering, Sony is actually giving you a deal with the $499 price tag for all three items:

Current Price for 80gb PS3 (w/ Motorstorm): $599 or $499 (Used for $449)
Current Price for Sixaxis (we know, we know -- the new pack comes with a DualShock 3): $50
Current Price for DualShock 3: $55 (when it's released, not imported from Japan)
Projected MGS4 Price: $60

Even with the cheapest combination of all of those, you're still getting a deal from this bundle. However, $500 is a hell of a lot of money still -- at least to this intrepid writer. How about y'all? We here at QP certainly know one lady who has already fallen under their press releases' spell. Is this enough of a deal to get you hoppin' on the Sony money train?

[UPDATE]: Konami has publicly announced a June 12, 2008 release date for MGS4, as well as confirming the pre-order bonus. Unfortunately, they announced this through a press release, and thus, you get the Joystiq link above. Oh well. We tried -- promise.

(via The Enemy)