Patience pays: Gran Turismo 5 XL hits PS3 on Jan. 17

Sony has detailed Gran Turismo 5 XL, a new retail package for GT 5 due out on January 17, 2012. Looking over what’s included for latecomers, you almost want to high five your frugal self. (Don’t, though.)

All of the free game updates through Spec 2.0 are included — on disc — thank goodness. There’s also a $20 voucher for downloadable content, which means even more tracks and vehicles for an already massive game. Finally, this version will sell for $39.99. Not bad!

The downside to waiting for value-priced re-releases such as this is they tend to have noisy cover art. Polyphony Digital has you covered, though — GT 5 XL‘s cover is reversible; the image above shows the alternate art.