$599 MGS4 HLE bundle online-exclusive

Buried in yesterday's pile of Konami announcements--which included reveals of Rock Revolution and the obligatory passel of DanceDance Revolutions--were new details about a highly anticipated product. One month after revealing it was releasing the Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 hardware bundle in North America, the Japanese publisher has now priced the package. For $599.99, gamers will get a gunmetal gray 40GB PS3, matching DualShock 3 controller, and a copy of what is being billed as antihero Solid Snake's final adventure.

Unfortunately, those wishing to leisurely pick up an MGS4 PS3 bundle at their local game store are out of luck. First, the bundle will only be available via Konami's online store. Second, the bundled is being billed as a "highly limited edition," with Konami playing up the fact that very few will ever be produced. Third, preorders begin sometime on May 19th, meaning those hoping to buy the console will have to repeatedly check the product page and be ready to pounce the moment it goes on sale.

Luckily those who can't acquire a limited MGS4 PS3 bundle can still get the regular MGS4 PS3 bundle--which is arguably a better deal, since it is $100 cheaper than the LE and includes a backward-compatible 80GB PS3 that can play previous MGS games. GameStop is also exclusively selling a limited edition of the now-gold game, which goes on sale in North America on June 12. For more information, check out GameSpot's new preview of the game from Kojima's recent press event in Tokyo.