DailyTech - Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Console Now Available

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Gadgets Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Console Now Available
Marcus Yam (Blog) - September 16, 2007 11:11 PM

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40 comment(s) - last by Alpha4.. on Sep 20 at 6:19 PM

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Halo Special Edition boasts 360 Elite features, without the big price tag (Source: Microsoft)

Xbox 360 goes green and gold in anticipation of Halo 3 release

When Microsoft held its E3 press conference in June, the only major announcement related to Xbox 360 hardware was the reveal of a Halo Special Edition console. Although Halo 3 itself won’t be hitting shelves until next week, gamers looking to dial up their Halo-fever can now pick up the Special Edition console from their local electronics and games retailer.

At the time of announcement, Microsoft focused mainly on the Halo 3 console’s authentic Spartan green and gold finish and comes with matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller,20GB Hard Drive, Headset, Play & Charge Kit, Halo 3 Gamer Pics and Theme available via Xbox Live download. DailyTech, however, saw the HDMI output feature of the new console as a sign of things to come. Less than a month later, HDMI ports were spotted on Xbox 360 20GB Premium consoles.

Gamers wanting the HDMI output feature but not interested in spending the extra money for an Xbox 360 Elite can be assured of getting such a console by purchasing the Halo Special Edition. The Halo console retails for $399, while the regular Premium console is $349. For a short period, Best Buy was offering $349 Premium consoles with guaranteed HDMI output.

The special green console is not the only Halo promo item on Microsoft’s list. Microsoft has designed both a black and brown Halo edition Zunes preloaded with appropriately themed soundtracks and media. In June, retailer GameStop revealed special Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 controllers featuring Todd McFarlane artwork and Spartan green wireless headset.

Halo 3 launches on September 25 in what could be the biggest game launch in history.

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this game is overrated ...

By theteamaqua on 9/17/2007 12:33:09 AM , Rating: 3

dont get me wrong , its a good game, but from the all trailers i have seen so far in ign, gametrailers.com(and i have seen them all on those sites) ... its got nothing over crysis ....

if this game was to be release on PC it will just be another mediocre FPS

but that being said its the best game 360 got

RE: this game is overrated ...

By Locutus465 on 9/17/2007 12:39:17 AM , Rating: 5

I guess some people (me included) just like the story, which books included is much more deveopled than any other FPS I've played. I like the game because I find my self actually caring about the Chief and what happens.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By TechLuster on 9/17/2007 5:21:43 PM , Rating: 2

I agree that (the continuation/resolution of) the story is a major draw of Halo 3 which theteamaqua doesn't seem to be taking into account when judging how good of an experience the game's going to be.

Seriously though, theteamaqua, it's pretty ridiculous that you're making bold claims like "its got nothing over crysis" simply based on the fact that you've watched a bunch of trailers. Watching trailers could lead you to guess that that may be true, but you can't even ascertain what gameplay feels like through a trailer, let alone determine the intangible aspect of how the gameplay and story intertwine to produce the true experience of a game.

Oh, and theteamaqua how the hell can you say on one hand that Halo 3 won't be that great, but on the other that "its the best game 360 got"? Those two assertions would imply that the 360 doesn't have any really good games. But the vast majority of the gaming press disagree with you, since Gears of War was widely considered one of the best games of last year. SO theteamaqua, HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY SAY THAT HALO 3 IS BETTER THAN GEARS WHEN YOU'VE NEVER PLAYED HALO 3 (OR EVEN READ A REVIEW OF IT) AND WHEN YOU ACTUALLY THINK THAT HALO 3 WON'T BE GREAT?!?

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By Inkjammer on 9/17/2007 10:19:28 PM , Rating: 2

I remember people saying the same thing about Farcry. So, I went out and bought Farcry the day of launch.

At the time, it was a graphical tour de force, breathtaking in every posible way. But the gameplay bored me, the AI felt shallow and I thought the story was a joke. Ultimately, I was let down hardcore. The many, many variations of FarCry on the consoles didn't improve things.

People preaching about the awesomeness of a game based on screenshots and game videos is like relying on the Weekly World News' predictions on the end of the world. Stupid and silly.

Then again, Daikatana looked like suuuch a great game from early screenshots and videos... *cough*

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By OblivionMage on 9/17/2007 10:54:08 PM , Rating: 2

He likely means the multiplayer, and he there was an open beta for Halo 3...

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By S3anister on 9/17/07, Rating: -1

RE: this game is overrated ...

By afkrotch on 9/17/2007 12:55:17 AM , Rating: 5

Huh? What exactly did other developers copy from Halo? Vehicles? Already been done. Weapons with multiple modes? Already done. Story? Already done. Ppl in armored suits? Already done.

Halo is nothing but a copy of what was available on PC. Only thing Halo did was bring back a decent FPS for consoles. The last ones before that was Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, and maybe Time Splitters.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By SigmaHyperion on 9/17/2007 1:38:56 AM , Rating: 3

Halo has a great story in Single-Player even if level-design leaves a lot to be desired and damned fun multiplayer. But it certainly didn't do anything that anyone "copy" from it.

About the only thing truly remarkable about it is that it is an FPS that excels at both Single and Multiplayer, a rare thing in the genre, and is probably only approached by Goldeneye. And, even if you grant that to Halo, I can't say that I've seen that particular thing "copied" by anyone since.

Multiplayer, Halo's big draw and the only reason anyone really talks about it, didn't do anything that Tribes (for one) hadn't done many years earlier. And the Single-Player, while good, is certainly nothing exceptional enough to warrant the attention it gets.

And, yes, I'll be standing in line at Midnight to get my copy.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By Pandamonium on 9/17/2007 2:20:58 AM , Rating: 3

Seeing someone mention Tribes brings back a flood of good memories. I loved that game. It owned me for a solid 5 years.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By Bluestealth on 9/17/2007 3:29:11 AM , Rating: 3

I wouldn't say that Halo has a "great" story by any stretch of the imagination. However, I found the first Halo to be one of the most enjoyable games I have ever played. What it lacked in depth and originality it easily made up in good design. It was simply a joy for me to play.

The story was well thought out and had a good progression of events, but it wasn't that great or inspired.

I have yet to play Halo 2 because:
A. They waited so long to release it on PC
B. They made it a game for Vista
C. It really didn't interest me enough to play it on an XBox

I have my hopes up for Halo 3, maybe they will bring it to the PC in under 3 years as well... at least one could hope :)

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By BZDTemp on 9/17/2007 10:40:24 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
ok, it's not a bad game, the second wasn't that great but the first halo was THE game that made other developers copy what they were doing.

Eh, wasn't it more like the first Halo made Halo developers copy what they were doing since like half of Halo's levels are copies from it self or recycling where you must backtrack. They even put arrows on the floors to help you not get lost since one could not see what way was what!

And as for Halo 2 you're right it wasn't that great. Especially since it's like half a game ending sort of hanging in thin air.

Halo 3 may be great or not but I think it's to early to say either. I for one am not buying it till I read some prober reviews AND I do not mean those release time ones which are always rushed and written by guys scared they won't get to review the next thing early if they give a bad review.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By FITCamaro on 9/17/07, Rating: 0

RE: this game is overrated ...

By Lord 666 on 9/17/2007 7:30:55 AM , Rating: 3

I'll be in the Halo 3 Rumble Pits on the 25th if you want to make long term arrangements ;)

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By FITCamaro on 9/17/2007 8:13:53 AM , Rating: 3

Sign me up. You've got barbecue pits, alcohol, and strippers down there right?

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By clovell on 9/17/2007 10:36:57 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
if this game was to be release on PC it will just be another mediocre FPS

Yes, because the port would suck more than the previous two, would come two years from now, and require the purchase of a new OS. But, you know what? It would still sell - it's just that good.

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RE: this game is overrated ...

By rdeegvainl on 9/17/2007 11:55:28 AM , Rating: 2

Wouldn't sell well, look at halo2 for pc, if they pulled the same crap on halo3 it will barely sell. Though microsoft will still hype it like it was the second coming.

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Can't Deny

By afkrotch on 9/17/2007 4:03:26 AM , Rating: 2

You really can't deny that Halo was a good game. I by no means overrate it like so many other, saying it's the FPS that somehow really defined the genre. I was not that or anywhere near being that, but it was a good game.

It was just another FPS that was essentially a clone of so many others. What made it good was the depth of the story. Not deep enough that you become confused, but enough that you wanted to know more about what was going on.

RE: Can't Deny

By bjtags on 9/17/2007 9:53:48 AM , Rating: 2

Does anyone remember that halo was for the PC in the beginning
I still have the first Trailers for the PC game it was that good And the Nvidia trailer for the geforce256 for Halo
they were the good old days!

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RE: Can't Deny

By FITCamaro on 9/17/2007 1:16:35 PM , Rating: 1

Ok yes. We all remember. But you know what, it became an Xbox game. Get over it. At one point it wasn't even supposed to be a FPS. But it was when it came out.

Should've been and could've been don't mean sh*t. What actually happens is what matters.

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RE: Can't Deny

By bjtags on 9/17/2007 3:44:26 PM , Rating: 2

no not saying anything about console pc wars
I own all of them and have PC 3ghz with 8800GTX
Good gaming is good Don't Care where its PLAYED!!!

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RE: Can't Deny

By afkrotch on 9/17/2007 6:50:30 PM , Rating: 2

I have PCs, consoles, and handhelds. Good gaming is good, but for me, I think it does matter where it's played. Some games just work better on PC, others on console. Control schemes is the main issue.

What boggles my mind is the fact that consoles can support keyboard and mouse, yet don't. UT3 will be the first console game that will support k/m.

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As much as I love Halo...

By Locutus465 on 9/17/2007 12:35:26 AM , Rating: 2

I just can't see the $50 extra expense being worth it... But then again, I guess this is targeted more for collectors and such...

RE: As much as I love Halo...

By Circle T on 9/17/2007 1:01:34 AM , Rating: 3

You do get the Play and Charge kit with it though. So, not counting the Gamer Pics and Themes, its really only $30 extra over the normal Premium unit. That really isn't that bad, since it is Limited Edition and what not.

And really, if I didn't already have a 360, and was getting a Premium instead of the Elite, I would totally see $30 as a pretty easy jump. But, thats just me. I not a total Halo whore, but I personally think this unit looks pretty nice.

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RE: As much as I love Halo...

By jajig on 9/17/2007 1:07:43 AM , Rating: 2

RROD collection

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I liked the normal Elite SKU more

By ruibing on 9/17/2007 2:31:18 PM , Rating: 2

Is it just me or does this look do no justice to the Halo franchise? This swamp green really should be more of a chrome blue, like those Mountain Dew drinks.

The end of Halo...

By daftrok on 9/17/07, Rating: -1

RE: The end of Halo...

By psyph3r on 9/17/2007 6:51:30 AM , Rating: 2

Halo one was originally being developed for pc....until microsoft bought it. Hence halo 1 was pretty good.

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RE: The end of Halo...

By killerroach on 9/17/2007 8:15:09 AM , Rating: 2

Actually, Halo was originally being developed for the Mac. And, early in its development, it was a tactical real-time action game (Bungie had thought of it as "Myth II in space"). But basically right otherwise.

That being said, Gearbox's porting of Halo 1 to PC was atrocious, and that's putting it mildly.

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RE: The end of Halo...

By kkwst2 on 9/17/2007 9:34:06 AM , Rating: 2

Actually, you're only as right as the GP. I'd actually say the GP is more correct, since technically you could argue that the Mac is a PC. Everything Bungie did after Marathon 2 was simultaneously developed for both Mac and Windows.

All the Myth games came out on both simultaneously. I think Myth was the first of their games you could multiplay cross-platform. If I recall correctly, the Marathon games were either all Windows or all Mac for multiplayer.

I played Halo 1 on PC and Halo 2 on Xbox. I enjoyed Halo 1 on PC more than Halo 2 on Xbox. Can't compare directly though, since I never played Halo 1 on Xbox.

I do regret that Bungie was bought out by Microsoft. They have been my favorite developer for 15 years, and while I still certainly enjoy Halo, I think the creativity in the Marathon and Myth series was significantly greater.

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RE: The end of Halo...

By omnicronx on 9/17/2007 10:36:49 AM , Rating: 2

Actually Halo was to be released for PC until microsoft bought bungie, it was suppose to come out years before the xbox release date. I remember reading about it soooo long ago in PC GAMER magazine.

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RE: The end of Halo...

By BZDTemp on 9/17/2007 5:34:04 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
That being said, Gearbox's porting of Halo 1 to PC was atrocious, and that's putting it mildly.

Halo was the same on PC as on XBOX except loading times was a lot faster and you could play in higher resolutions.

Only thing else was really the game being a lot easier due to keyboard+mouse being a far better control scheme for FPS. (For those having only play an FPS on console - the main difference is that turning is not a case of holding a stick a certain amount of time but simply a flick of the mouse. As easy as you can hit a close window X you can aim in a FPS)

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RE: The end of Halo...

By Locutus465 on 9/18/2007 12:37:39 AM , Rating: 2

I own both, Halo on PC was a horrid gaming experience... Buggy, the audio in particular was a let down. The only thing it had on the console version was a better multi-player set up v. using the GameSpy hack for x-box. Other than that, it wasn't work AAA pricing, and I thank god I didn't pick it up till it got *real* cheap.

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pardon me but

By Gul Westfale on 9/17/07, Rating: -1

RE: pardon me but

By Alpha4 on 9/17/07, Rating: 0

RE: pardon me but

By colonelclaw on 9/17/2007 6:13:43 AM , Rating: 2

ugliest console in the history of the industry?

amazing what can be done with a half-decent bit of design and a can of snot-green paint

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RE: pardon me but

By jajig on 9/17/2007 7:14:34 AM , Rating: 2

That title belongs to the Jaguar toilet add on.

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RE: pardon me but

By crazyblackman on 9/17/07, Rating: -1

RE: pardon me but

By Alpha4 on 9/20/2007 6:18:26 PM , Rating: 1

You would think its within their power to transplant the motherboard from a refurbished unit into the Halo themed Xbox.

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RE: pardon me but

By Fnoob on 9/18/2007 10:34:28 AM , Rating: 1

Im with you Gul, fn dunno why you got rated down for that one.... My guess is they have never seen a meconium stool ;)

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RE: pardon me but

By Alpha4 on 9/20/2007 6:19:46 PM , Rating: 2

This whole thread appears to be infected with a down-rating bug.

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"A politician stumbles over himself... Then they pick it out. They edit it. He runs the clip, and then he makes a funny face, and the whole audience has a Pavlovian response." -- Joe Scarborough on John Stewart over Jim Cramer