GTA 6 and PS5 bundle mystery deepens as release looms
With GTA 6 barely a month from launch, gamers are asking a simple question: where is the official PlayStation 5 bundle? Despite a marketing deal with Sony that seemed to make a co-branded console a certainty, no such product has been announced. The absence is striking, especially with Christmas shopping season already underway.
The Wednesday letters page at Games Inbox reflects growing frustration. One reader, writing under the name Cadent, notes that while some retailers have bundled the game with consoles themselves, there is no official package with unique branding or bonus content. “This seemed a dead cert when the marketing deal with Sony was first announced,” they wrote, “but if they're going to do it, they're leaving it very late.”
Cadent also speculates that a PS5 Pro bundle would have been the most desirable gift this holiday season. The likely reason for its absence: component shortages. “I can't imagine Sony are happy about that, because this would've been a windfall for them, but that's the component crisis for you.”
It is a reminder that even the biggest entertainment launch of the year cannot escape the realities of supply chains and production costs. For consumers, the practical question is whether to buy a console now or wait and risk paying inflated prices from scalpers.
Why the missing bundle matters for gamers
For many players, the absence of an official bundle means paying full price for both the console and the game separately. That is a significant outlay, particularly in markets where import duties and taxes already push prices well above US retail levels.
From a liberal economic perspective, the situation illustrates what happens when governments impose heavy taxes and regulations on electronics: consumers end up paying more, and companies have less flexibility to offer attractive packages. The free market would normally solve this problem through competition, but artificial barriers distort the outcome.
Retro gaming renaissance continues
Elsewhere in the letters, readers celebrate a strong year for retro gaming. The Alien Breed 35th Anniversary collection and a quiet remake of Apidya have both impressed. A new Dizzy game is also on the horizon for the franchise's 40th anniversary.
One reader, Commodore Fan, wonders whether Sega has anything planned for Alex Kidd's 40th next month. The trend suggests publishers are finally recognising the value of their back catalogues, a welcome development for fans who grew up with these titles.
NBA 2K25 shutdown draws criticism
Another letter takes aim at 2K Games for shutting down NBA 2K25 after just two years, even disabling single-player modes. The reader, Lossy, calls it “disgusting” and notes that the practice has apparently been going on for years without much pushback.
“It really does seem like we have the video games industry we deserve a lot of the time,” they wrote. “So much of it is a rip-off but people just put up with it.”
The criticism extends to 2K's rumoured interest in the FIFA licence. If 2K applies the same two-year shutdown policy to football, Lossy wonders whether players would accept it. “You've got to be doing bad when you make EA look like the good guy.”
Donkey Kong Bananza wins over sceptic
One reader, responding to an earlier letter, urges sceptics to give Donkey Kong Bananza a chance. PjDonnelli admits to having doubts about the destruction mechanics but now calls it “one of the greatest games I've ever played,” even ranking it above Super Mario Odyssey.
On GTA 6, the same reader argues that the game's financial and cultural power makes it effectively immune to government bans. “Even if an actual government tried to, they'd be met with opposition just based on how much money a game like this generates for the economy.”
They also look forward to the game's character system, which allows players to shape the personalities of protagonists Jason and Lucia. “I feel trying different combinations will be great fuel for replayability and also for content when it comes the streamers.”
Control: Resonant disappoints fan
Not every sequel lands well. Reader matc7884 expresses disappointment with Control: Resonant, finding the open world “dull and lifeless” compared to the original's claustrophobic corridors. The combat, they argue, lacks nuance.
“A sequel for me should expand and refine the gameplay of its predecessor but for me the new Control feels a step back.”
The Games Inbox editors agree, noting: “They took a very odd direction with it. We get they didn't want to repeat themselves, but we found it inferior in every way to the original.”
Deals and recommendations
Reader Andrew J. highlights a price drop on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 1 on Blu-ray, now £21.22 in the Amazon Prime sales. The set originally retailed at £34.99.
Meanwhile, Rob praises Teardown's new multiplayer modes but laments that randoms only want to play Zombie Horde. “Makes me think this is part of the problem with the games industry, in that it's just mostly kids playing the same type of games.”
What to expect in the coming weeks
With GTA 6 set to dominate headlines, the big question remains whether Sony will surprise everyone with a last-minute bundle announcement. If not, expect scalpers to have a very merry Christmas indeed.