Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes is the next entry from Konami in the popular Metal Gear franchise. It's not the full game, but instead the Prologue, which is expected to cost gamers a full $40. Along with the launch of the game in Japan, Konami and Sony are joining forces to bring forth a Limited Edition PlayStation 4 console, called Fox Edition.
At first glance, gamers might get the feeling that nothing much has been done to this limited edition PlayStation 4 console, and that's true.
The efforts here to re-skin this PlayStation 4 to fit with the Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes theme, seems very small when compared to what Microsoft has done in the past with the Xbox 360. Instead of delivering a console with a whole new skin, Sony and Konami chose to add a mere sticker, or emblem. It's subtle, but nothing truly exciting since a sticker can be easily removed, leaving the gamer with a normal PlayStation 4.
It is possible Sony has no intention to dramatically change the look of the PlayStation 4, or maybe the idea of adding the Fox Edition emblem came at the last minute.
Konami is launching Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes on March 20 along with the Limited Edition PlayStation 4 console. This console will come with a gold emblem and a copy of the game for 46,980 yen, which is around $462.
Sony also launched the PlayStation 4 on February 22 for 41,979 yen, which is around $413. Sony chose to focus on other markets in 2013 instead of its home market. With the quick success the Japanese giant is witnessing with the PlayStation 4 over its closest rival, Sony is expected to increase its lead substantially after the Japanese launch. At the moment, Microsoft doesn't have a date announced for when the Xbox One will launch in the Land of The Rising Sun, but many industry pundits believe the software giant will launch the console in late 2014.
Launching early in Japan may not help Microsoft in its battle with Sony, as the market over the years have shown more interest in Sony and Nintendo offerings, rather than what Microsoft has to offer.
The Limited Edition console is now up for pre-orders on Sony's Japanese store.
