Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that a PlayStation 3 and GTA IV bundle is official, following several rumors that such a bundle was in the making.

The bundle will be available on April 29, 2008, when the game also launches for the Xbox 360, and it will consist of a PlayStation 3 console, the model with a 40 GB hard drive, a Sixaxis wireless controller and a copy of the game, which most bill as the most expected of 2008, all for the recommended retail price of 439 euros.

GTA IV promises an open ended environment in which the player can choose his own adventure, take on missions for various people and generally cause mayhem. The game will feature rich visuals and a simulation of New York like none other seen in a videogame.

David Reeves, who is the president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, declared, "We are delighted to offer the millions of PS3 and GTA fans the ultimate gaming package".

The news of the bundle comes as some shops that allow the preorder of GTA IV have been reporting that significant numbers of gamers are pre-ordering the PS3 version of the game in much larger numbers than previously expected. Currently, Microsoft is running an aggressive ad campaign promoting the GTA IV title, but no ad mentions the fact that the game also has a PS3 version right from the launch date. Apparently, Microsoft hopes for an upsurge in the sales numbers of the Xbox 360 as people flock to try out the most anticipated games of the year.

The game is due to launch on April 29 and we expect a flood of news as it hits the shops and, more importantly, the players start to dig in.