PGR3 Xbox 360 bundle headed to Canada

Rumors about Microsoft planning an Xbox 360 price drop spread like crazy after word got out that the PlayStation 3 would be the priciest system on the market. The way rumor mongers saw it, a slashing of the 360's price would mean Microsoft could lock up the next-gen console war with a cheaper alternative.

It never happened.

After the price-cut rumors died down, new rumors of a more-bang-for-your-buck bundle began to make the rounds. The alleged bundle included an Xbox 360 Pro pack, a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3, 1,250 Xbox Live Marketplace points, and a three-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold for the same price the current Xbox 360 Pro pack is selling for.

Further evidence came to light last week, when a Canadian retailer began accepting preorders for a PGR3 bundle. When the rumor first sprang up, the new 360 pack was scheduled to kick off on August 1.

August 1 came and went, and the rumored PGR3 Xbox 360 bundle never happened--but it will...if you live in Canada.

Microsoft reps confirmed to GameSpot that the bundle is heading north of the border sometime next week. The bundle will be selling for the same price as the Pro pack (CAD$499.99), and according to online retailer Future Shop, will begin shipping August 9.

Canada may not only be the place to go for cheaper prescription drugs and Molson XXX beer, it may be the only place to pick up this bundle. Microsoft says it currently has no plans to release the PGR3 bundle stateside. "This is a Canadian-only bundle, so speculation about a US version will not be realized."