What's the best way to encourage sales for quasi-languishing handheld device when a company has a brand new console on the horizon? A bundle would be a good start, and according to rumors, that's exactly what Sony has in mind for its PS Vita and PlayStation 4.
Inside Gaming Daily claims to have been told by a "well-placed anonymous source" that a bundle containing the two consoles will release at "the end of the year" for "around $500." Now, as "well-placed anonymous source" seldom, if ever, translates to "official confirmation," it's best to treat this as a rumor for the time being, or at least until Sony has something to say on the matter. But given the company's policy on how the Vita can and will interface with the upcoming PS4, it seems likely enough.
Sony has already hit the PlayStation 4 with a $400 price tag once it launches, and the Vita currently retails for $300, meaning gamers would get one hell of a deal, being able to grab Sony's handheld for roughly a third of its current cost if this rumor proves to be true. The fact that Sony recently revealed that the Vita can work as a controller for certain PS4 games makes this rumor seem quite plausible.
The bundle would also give Sony a serious edge on competition against Microsoft's Xbox One, which will sell for the same price as this bundle. Microsoft also doesn't have a handheld device to offer a similar deal.
The bundle is said to be available at the end of the year, shortly after the PlayStation 4's expected November (also not confirmed) launch. We'll keep you posted if Sony ever confirms or denies a Vita/PS4 bundle.
