OldJadedGamer said:
IMO, this should be the point of every console bundle that has to do with a high profile release game but some companies get lazy and put in stock systems and stock games. Look at how well the MGS4 bundle did with the stock system and stock game. When those things sell, it gives others less incentive to do something special. There was the Gun Metal system but that was a super shitty deal in comparison to the stock system.
Then there is the craziness of the Halo3 system where it didn't even come with the game!!! What idiot marketing monkey came up with this idea? IMO there should be no special bundles that don't have a special console and the LE edition of the game included. Other than that, the only thing special you are getting is the art on the box it comes with.
I agree with the general point of your post, but in the case of the standard MGS4 bundle, don't forget that that was one of the last PS2 BC models. Coupled with a game that many prospective PS3 buyers would've bought anyway, being the last chance to get a BC PS3 was a big incentive. In fact, that bundle quickly sold out, again, after the rerelease at places like Amazon. And that was after MGS4 had already been out for awhile. So, that particular bundle is perhaps not the best example for how well stock game and console bundles sell.
As for the gun metal edition, there was a reason it sold at such a premium. But you can't have it both ways, apparently. So, do you want value, or do you want a custom albeit more expensive system?