Sony has just announced two new PS3 bundles for Japan that will mean, essentially, Japanese gamers are getting another PS3 price drop.

The bundles will include Hot Shots Golf, with both 20GB and 60GB versions will be available. The 60Gb version will cost ¥61,980 (£251), just ¥1,980 (£8) more than the regular-price Japanese 60Gb PS3. The 20Gb bundle will again have a price difference of just ¥1,980 (£8) when compared with the regular homeland model.

When you look at the price of the game, that's a saving of ¥4,000 (£16). Granted, the saving isn't exactly a monster, but it does represent a willingness on Sony's part to be flexible with the PS3's price in Japan.

The de facto price cut will no doubt come as a relief to Japanese retailers, with the PS3 having had several bad weeks in the Japanese hardware charts of late. Sony's no doubt hoping that the bundles will help push the PS3 back over the “psychological” 10,000 sales per week mark.

This isn't the first time the PS3 has received a price cut in Japan. Before the system even launched the price was dropped thanks to Japanese misconception of the Yen's value against the American dollar.

One thing SPOnG found interesting is the very existence of the 20Gb bundle. Following the discontinuation of the 20Gb PS3 in the US speculation was rampant that Japan would follow suit, in spite of its half-hearted denial. Announcing a new 20Gb bundle, however, could be taken to indicate a continuing commitment to the model from Sony in Japan.

Of course, what all really want to know is when we'll see a similar deal on European shores. Japan's had sight of two now, and pays substantially less for the system anyway. SPOnG called Sony to ask just that but was told, “We don't have any plans for that right now.”

^{Source: Famitsu via Kotaku}