Just after the news that the 360 would be getting some bundles this holiday season, rumors of a Halo 3/360 bundle are starting to crop up. In some of the most concrete proof so far, a poster on elotrolado.net showed off what he claimed to be one of these bundles, purchased in the town of Mijas in Spain. It's a 20GB system with an HDMI port (but no cable). According to a depicted receipt, the purchase price was 350 euros, or approximately $540 in US dollars.

We have no clue if these pics are authentic (our sketchy sense is most definitely tingling), or if this bundle will be coming stateside. Surprising absolutely no one, Microsoft is staying mum on this for now. But with four 360 SKUs on the market, doesn't this seem like a bit of overkill?

[Via Eurogamer]

Rockstar Games, whose Manhunt 2 has effectively been banned twice in Britain (though finally OK'd in the United States), have announced that they are appealing the most recent rejection.

The British Board of Film Classification has made further suggestions to the game's content that the developer has deemed "unacceptable." In a statement released this morning (via Gamespot), Rockstar said, "The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2."

Is there a double standard when it comes to video games and movie censorship? Is it warranted? The purported psychological effects on interactive entertainment have been the subject of debate for much time now. Unfortunately, the BBFC's suggestions are not public record so we cannot debate the merits of their revisions. Will British gamers ever get to play this game?

The 40GB PlayStation 3 models, devoid of any PS2-related semiconductors, will likely not have any options for backwards compatibility in the future. Speaking to Joystiq, SCEE Director of Corporate Communications Nick Sharples said that there are no plans to offer emulation software as downloadable content at a later date.

"We have no plans to do so at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly," he said.

"As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles," he said.

When asked about the fate of future emulation updates for 80GB and PAL-territory 60GB models that are running software-supported backwards compatibility, Sharples told us, "the current PS3 system software and future updates will continue to support backwards compatibility for the current 60GB and 80GB models." He later added, "The current solution offers around 90% backwards compatibility with PS2 titles and we are able to help publishers to make sure any new PS2 titles are backwards compatible with the 60GB and 80GB models."

Sharples had no information on today's rumor concerning the 40GB model coming to North America. Included after the break is Sony's statement confirming the loss of PS2 semiconductors in the latest model.

In separate interviews today both Sony UK boss Ray Maguire and Sony Europe spokesman Nick Sharples spoke about how the 40GB PS3 lacking backwards compatibility is fine. How is it fine? Maguire tells Eurogamer that by this Christmas the PS3 will have a whopping 65 games and so they feel "there's sufficient choice in the marketplace and that we're still better off using that money that we'd put into backwards compatibility in either investing in new games or using that money to help support bringing the price down." Meanwhile, Sharples tells GameDaily, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility."

We really hate to do this, but we swear Sony must honestly think consumers and the press have the memories of goldfish. Let's just take it back to the PlayStation brand for two seconds. Sony's own Phil Harrison clearly and distinctly said in a 2006 interview with GamePro, "Backwards compatibility, as you know from PlayStation One and PlayStation 2, is a core value of what we believe we should offer. And access to the library of content people have created, bought for themselves, and accumulated over the years is necessary to create a format. PlayStation is a format meaning that it transcends many devices -- PSOne, PS2, and now PS3." A little over a year and "core values" go right out the window. Who needs backwards compatibility anyway when you've got 65 games to sell?

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Read: Maguire explains PS3 BC loss
Read: 40GB PS3 Confirmed for Europe; Sony Gives Up on Backwards Compatibility

Sony has announced that the 40GB version of the PS3 will enter the European market on Oct. 10th, for a price of €399 ($565). The unit sports only two USB ports (instead of four) and does not include the multi-memory ports. And, in a move we absolutely cannot understand, the new model is not backwards compatible with PS2 discs. Seriously.

Since BC is handled by software emulation (in the 80GB model), why is it gone from the 40-gigger? It's not that DVD support has been removed from the Blu-ray drive, as Sony continues to hype DVD movie upscaling. But the official line is, "the new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles." Extensive? Don't even get us started...

If BC's on your checklist, you best scoop up a Starter Pack (now €499) "while stocks last."

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Joystiq reader Steven A. sent us word that Nintendo will soon offer to replace copies of Super Paper Mario in the PAL territories due to a game freezing bug. Steven even made a video of the bug which we've placed after the break. Nintendo states the error is very specific and occurs in Chapter 2-2. If you talk to Mimi a second time without picking up a specific key the game will freeze and you'll have to reset the system. If you've passed Chapter 2-2 without any issue, you're in the clear.

For those wondering why this issue is coming up now, it's because Europe just got Super Paper Mario last week. The game freeze does not damage the console and you can avoid the bug by avoiding the trigger described. Nintendo will soon explain the replacement program on their website.

[Thanks Steven]

Who says there's no karma in the video game industry? On the very same day that Europeans learned that the United States would be getting the demo for FIFA 08 before they would, they learn that they'll be getting a new color of DS, silver, on Oct. 12. See, doesn't that more than make up for it?

Here in America, we don't have that fancy color, so we're pretty jealous of you. But you may remember that in Japan, they not only have silver, they have "Metallic Rose." ... Come to think of it, they also have the FIFA 08 demo. Maybe you've been angry with the wrong country all along.

Sony recently updated their US backwards compatibility search website now that the States gets to join in Europe's pain. As we learned during E3, the new 80 GB PS3 does have backwards compatibility issues. All future PS3 models will also have similar BC issues as they'll use the less expensive software emulation program instead of the PS2 native hardware which is currently in the 60GB model. If you're even considering a future purchase of a PS3 and are at all concerned about your consoles' backwards compatibility, it may be well worth it to get the 60GB model while it still exists -- it truly is your best option in case Sony gets lackadaisical about updating their software backwards compatibility like Microsoft was.

A quick search in the database shows cracks in the foundation already:

• God of War -- 60GB: "No major problems for this title." 80GB: "During various FMV sequences throughout the title, the audio plays overlapped by static audio distortion."
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater -- 60GB: "No major problems for this title." 80GB: "During various FMV sequences throughout the title, the audio plays overlapped by static audio distortion." & "Throughout gameplay, the title performs at a significantly slower than normal performance speed."
• Final Fantasy X -- 60GB: "No major problems for this title." 80GB: "At various points throughout the Opening FMA sequence, the graphics jitter."
• Destroy All Humans -- 60GB: "No major problems for this title." 80GB: "At specific points during gameplay, character weapons do not function as intended."

Go look up some of your favorite games, these were just the first four we checked. There is no master list either, every game must be specifically selected by title. If backwards compatibility is something you care about, it's worth taking the 60GB model under consideration.

Thanks in no small part to a price drop and a new model, Microsoft's Xbox 360 scored a 260% sales increase in the United Kingdom from two weeks prior, according to ChartTrack (via MCV). The Elite model was released in the territory August 24 for £299.99, while the Pro and Arcade models received price drops to £249.99 and £179.99, respectively. The momentum is also likely to be helped by a certain Covenant-crushing behemoth set to deploy later this month.

Though Microsoft may be having its (VH1) Best Week Ever, Sony's PlayStation Portable had its worst. ChartTrack is reporting the PSP had its worst week of sales since its launch September 1, 2005. Both SCEE and ChartTrack blame the sales drop-off on the impending launch of the PSP-2000 model, coming September 14 (sans ceramic white) and believe the redesign will boost the PSP's sales.

Chart-Track did not provide specific numbers for either console's sales.

Read -- 260% sales jump for Xbox 360
Read -- SCEE looks forward after worst week ever for PSP

Sony has confirmed that the French will be getting a new "Starter Pack" for their PlayStation 3s starting Sept. 19 which will include Heavenly Sword and F1 Championship Edition. The rest of Europe can still take their Motorstorm, along with Resistance, and like it too! Speaking with GI.biz, Sony said, "The choice of which titles to include in the Starter Pack, and the freedom to change the titles is up to the individual markets based on their unique market conditions."

Sony went on to confirm that this new pack will be introduced in France for the time being and will be available for the Heavenly Sword launch. Actually, it would be hilarious if Sony America ever introduced the Starter Pack in the States and started offering games to "individual markets based on their unique market conditions." One state gets Motorstorm, while another gets Heavenly Sword. We'd love to see how those determinations would be made.

With all the 60GB PlayStation 3s out of the warehouse and finding homes, it's time for the analysts to say that the 80GB PS3 will drop to $499 (duh) -- this year (wha?). Both Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter and -- please sense the Alan Rickman octave change -- simExchange analyst Jesse Divnich, believe there will be a price cut for the 80GB model before Jesus' birthday.

The analysts go on to say what you can probably just guess. Unless Sony wants to eat a huge helping of "we are total jerks," they'll have to drop the 80GB price to remove the clearance sale tag their 60GB model has been stuck with since the PR nightmare during E3 week when they announced the price drop and followed it up on Friday by announcing a discontinuation of the 60GB model. It's all about the timing now. When will the 60GBs be gone? Who's buying them with this second price drop ready to pop out? We know it has to happen for the sake of PR.

The prevalence of in-game advertisement in interactive entertainment may not be a catalyst for waning interest, after all. According to a survey conducted by GameSpot UK and the Internet Advertising Bureau, only 14 percent of those questions said in-game ads "spoiled the gaming experience."

Female opinion was a statistical anomaly, however, as 98 percent of the participants reportedly male, 76 percent within the ages of 13 and 24, and most owning multiple consoles and playing more than ten hours a week. We feel confident labeling the pool of voices the hardcore gamer crowd. However, we're also betting that this is the crowd most likely to be averse to in-game marketing.

Forty percent said that ads added realism to the game, while 33 percent said they didn't even notice the ads. Though just 28 percent felt the advertisement affected the brand, 64 percent of those felt it was a positive effect.

Most important to the advertisers, at this point one-third of those surveyed were "very or quite likely to buy a product that they had seen advertised in game." The survey was completed by 3,575 gamers based in the UK, advertised on GameSpot's page between June 20 and July 11 this year.

PC World reports all the 60GB PS3s are out of the house and looking for a home. Sony's Dave Karraker confirms, "We no longer have any inventory in SCEA warehouses. All inventory has been purchased and shipped to retailers." So, if you still want a PS3 without limited backwards compatibility, here's your last chance. Once the 60GB sell out, that's all she wrote.

Now, we have to ask, was it all a clearance sale or will the 80GB drop down to the $499 price once the channel is cleared? Karraker says, "We won't be making any further announcements ... until the 60GB model is exhausted and market conditions are evaluated." Place your bets if it'll be before or after the holiday. Whatever it takes to build that install base at this point.

[Thanks Marcus]

According to Sony Europe President David Reeves, the PS3 will not be getting a price cut and they'll continue offering more bundles to drive sales. He says that the new bundles will go beyond the Starter Pack introduced during E3 when the US received its price chop. Reeves says they're happy with the "PAL business" and that "it's on track."

In the same interview, Reeves says that reason they didn't announce any new games during their Leipzig press conference was because they didn't want to "overload" gamers. He says they're focusing on doing "pillar titles every month" because gamers "don't have huge wallets and they can't go out and buy five games at €59 all the time." That's very reasonable thinking, especially when they're European consumers who can't get a price cut.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]