Japanese retailer posts new GT5 release date?

Source: Japanese gaming news site Andria Sang.

What we heard: Despite the seemingly ironclad release date of Polyphony Digital's long-awaited racer Gran Turismo 5, publisher Sony unexpectedly pushed back the title from its November 2 release date earlier this month. Claiming that the last-minute "executive decision" was made in order to put some of the finishing touches on the title, both Polyphony Digital and Sony said the game would still ship in 2010.

It looks like this claim may be true. Japanese online retailer DMM, as translated by Andria Sang and confirmed by GameSpot AU, has posted a Gran Turismo 5 entry with a release date of December 23. Although the original product listing is no longer available, GameSpot AU tracked down a cached listing showing the same release date. The latter listing is for a GT5 racing pack, which includes a PS3 console and a copy of the game for 35,980 Japanese yen (US$446.09).

According to Andria Sang, the original listing was just for the game, priced at 7,980 Japanese yen (US$98.93); this also included a 308-page booklet and a download code for five cars.

Both listings have since been removed from DMM's website.

The official story: Sony has not yet confirmed a release date for GT5.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus, particularly because Sony was so adamant that the game would still be released "this holiday season," despite its recent delay.