Collectible Consoles - The PS3 Part V: The Bundles (Gen.1 and 2)

Please make sure to check out the previous blogs on the PlayStation 3 for more background information. All the links can be found at the top of the page under the Collectible Consoles tab. Also, click here for part one in the series for help with model numbers and what not.

For this first blog on the PS3 bundles I have a bit of bad news...the early generations are damn near impossible to find. However, I'm putting up the information anyways because I spent a good bit of time researching this stuff and it is not going to waste! Besides, maybe one of these things will pop up one day and someone will look back on this blog and think "Oh my God! That is stupid rare!! I should buy it while I can!" I'm trying to be optimistic.

Generation 1
There were only a handful of bundles released for the the first generation and they were released only in Japan. Therefor, the only way to find these bundles is to look for their Japanese names or to actually look them up on Japanese websites. Even for someone like me who knows Japanese, it doesn't make much of a difference because most of the time these websites will not ship to the US. If you have close family or friends in Japan and you really want one of these, maybe see if they will buy and ship it to you.
The only other way to find one of these is to stalk Ebay and Craigslist. For a long while.

"Everybody's Golf" Bundle - 20GB and 60GB

This is called the Everybody's Golf bundle and was released the same day that the game came out (July 26 2007). The model numbers are either CECHAxx or CECHBxx. This was released with the 20GB and the 60GB. This is earliest PS3 released.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Bundle - 60GB

This 60GB CECHAxx bundle was released alongside the game on March 1 2007. This was known as Gundam Musou in Japan, so that is how I will refer to the items here. This is also how you should look them up on Ebay if the English name doesn't pull up anything. Along with the console and game, it came with a "Gundam Musou Technical File", a "Gundam Musou Character File", and 8 art cards. The good news is, I found the bundle...the bad news is it was through a private seller on Amazon.jp that would not export to the US. However, it is not too difficult to find the collectibles on Ebay from time to time, as stated. You may not be able to find the bundle, but most of the goodies that came with it are floating around out there.

Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War Bundle - Regular 60GB

Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War Bundle: The Premium Box 60GB
(Pictured here sold separately from the console)

The last bundle of the first generation had two versions to it. Let's go over similarities first though. Both had a 60GB CECHAxx and released alongside the Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War game on August 30 2007.
Now the differences: The regular bundle included all of this and a soundtrack CD. The Premium Box included all that the regular box had plus a themed calender and a hardbound battle guide.
I could NOT find either of these still in the box. However, like the Gundam bundle, the extra goodies that came with the bundle can be found on different websites.

Generation 2
While Generation 2 are not Japanese only bundles, they are just as difficult to find, as warned above. Keep an eye out though. Some of these DO pop up from time to time...just have a ton of money on hand.

Motorstorm/Resistance Bundle (Starter Pack PAL Bundle) - 60GB 

This was released in the UK and in Europe during a very small window of time, during July to August 2007. It came with two controllers, Motorstorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, and a CECHCxx (PAL) 60GB PS3. Because of its short release window, it is going to be very difficult to find one still in its box.

Heavenly Sword/Formula 1 Bundle (Starter Pack PAL Bundle #2) - 60GB

Just like the bundle above, this came with two controllers, a CECHCxx PAL 60GB PS3, and two games. This time the package included Heavenly Sword and Formula 1: Championship Edition. However, this was released September 19 2007 in France only. For how long, I am unsure. It was equally as difficult to find as the other starter pack.

Motorstorm Bundle - 80GB

This is a CECHExx model 80GB PS3 released with Motorstorm. This bundle is near and dear to my heart because this was my first PS3. I got it for my 18th birthday even though I had been saving up for one. That was a glorious day that. That PS3 no longer plays discs due to an over loved disc drive, but it still works for downloaded games and whatnot.
Anyways...enough of my fond memories. I have some good news. This bundle can actually be found! Not easily and not cheaply, but it can be found. It goes for about $500+ used and $800+ new.

MGS4 (NON Gun Metal Black) Bundle - 80GB

CECHExx/80GB PS3 released for North America only alongside MGS4. This one can also be found online...but it goes for a bit more than the Motorstorm bundle. Used, it is about the same. New, however, it can go for as much as $1500. People love them some MGS...and this isn't even the Gun Metal Black version!

...Formula 1 Bundle...?? 

Formula 1: Championship Edition Bundle (France Only):
I'm going to let you guys in on a secret. I am researching these bundles by using a combo of Wikipedia, Google, Amazon, Craigslist, and Ebay. I am trying everything to see what is out there. One major source you see there that I am fact checking is Wikipedia. Listed on there is a Formula 1 Bundle for France. However, the historian in me was very much alarmed to find no sources. That's okay though. Sources or no, I always double and triple check anything on Wikipedia. I like a good tip off to a bundle. However, I have found NOTHING. I honestly think someone missed the earlier mentioned Heavenly Sword/Formula 1 bundle (France only) and listed it again sans Heavenly Sword. If someone can find proof of this thing's existence, I would be VERY grateful!

That is all for now! I am attempting to keep these short, but will release the second part of the bundles (Generation 3) sometime this week. I want to get the PS3 knocked out so I can start the GameCube as promised! I am already starting to research it a bit, so it is coming. I promise! In the meantime, enjoy all the amazing PS3 bundles.

Thanks for reading!

Sources (in order):
1)http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/06/20/103,1182324435,73707,0,0.html
2)http://www.amazon.co.jp/ガンダム無双-PLAYSTATION-3-60GB-【メーカー生産終

了】/dp/B000N8S28Q

3)http://www.qj.net/qjnet/playstation-3/bladestorm-the-hundred-years-war-ps3-bundle-to-be-released-in-japan.html
4)http://www.siliconera.com/2007/08/20/inside-bladestorm’s-premium-package/
5)http://web.archive.org/web/20111129094111/http://kotaku.com/278009/bbc-confirms-european-ps3-bundle-deal/
6)http://uk.playstation.com/ps3/news/articles/details/item71370/New-PlayStation-3-Starter-Pack-announced-for-Europe/
7)http://engadget.com/2007/09/06/heavenly-sword-formula-1-bundle-confirmed-for-france/
8)http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/26/destination-playstation-news-mgs-ps3-bundle-kratos-psp-and-dualshock3-release-date-by/
9)http://www.dailytech.com/Sony+Announces+80GB+PlayStation+3+Bundle+Confirms+Price+Cut/article7964.htm
10) IMAGES BELONG TO SONY ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC. All rights reserved.
11) Last Image: Getty Images