EU PlayStation 3 bundles coming in March

The first new European PlayStation 3 bundle, due to arrive on 19 March, is movie-focused -- it will include a 40GB PS3 and the films 300, Casino Royale, and Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray as well as a Sixaxis controller. CNET.co.uk's sister site, French language GameKult.com reports that this bundle will retail for €399 (£300). At the same price but arriving on 28 March, the second bundle will include a 40GB PS3, a Sixaxis controller and a copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

A Sony UK representative confirmed that the Gran Turismo 5 bundle will be heading to the UK as well, with a target date set for the end of March, although it currently has no plans to release the movie bundle in the UK.

Buying a next-generation console has never been more complicated. Alongside the Arcade, Pro and Elite versions of the Xbox 360 -- which feature no hard drive, 20GB and 120GB, respectively -- there are also multiple versions of the PlayStation 3, which have varied between 20GB, 40GB, 60GB and 80GB depending on geographical region. Even the handhelds aren't safe: The Nintendo DS became the DS Lite, and the PlayStation Portable is now the PSP Slim & Lite (or PSP-2000). Only the Wii has so far seemed to remain immune to the multiple-version trend.

Bundling consoles with various controllers, games and movies has also been a growing trend -- and European consumers are about to get another set of choices. Sony also recently announced a Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle in the US.