Metal Gear Solid 4 LE GameStop-exclusive, gunmetal PS3 NA-bound

With a little more than two months to go before Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots finally arrives in stores, Konami and Sony detailed today the many ways in which customers will be able to add the game to their collections.

It was already confirmed that the game would be available on its own or with a PlayStation 3 on June 12, but today it was announced that both the game and the hardware bundle will come in standard-edition and limited-edition packages.

The limited-edition game, which will be available exclusively at GameStop stores, will include a soundtrack CD and a pair of all-new "making of" documentaries featuring interviews with series creator Hideo Kojima. Those bonuses come at a premium: The limited edition of the game will sell for $84.99 instead of the standard edition's $59.99. Those who buy either edition from GameStop can also get a Metal Gear Solid 4 art book at the time of purchase, while supplies last.

A post on Sony's PlayStation blog confirmed that a limited-edition hardware bundle would also be available at launch, and that it would include the coveted gunmetal-colored versions of the PS3 system and controller. However, the post didn't specify how much it would cost or where gamers would be able to buy it, saying only that it would be a "VERY, VERY Limited Edition bundle."

Gamers can also get access to the Metal Gear Online beta through the previously announced Metal Gear Saga preorder bonus program at participating retailers. The beta period runs from April 21 through May 5, but gamers will be able to download the program to their systems starting on April 17.