[UPDATE] Listing on Microsoft store indicates storage-rich $400 custom hardware bundle on the way with Halo designs, custom sounds, downloadable content; Microsoft confirms bundle, will share more info tomorrow.
Halo is one of Microsoft's biggest franchises, so it comes as little surprise that the company is reportedly planning a limited-edition Xbox 360 hardware bundle to launch with the new shooter this November. IGN reports that Microsoft posted a listing for a 320GB Halo 4 Xbox 360 bundle (at right), which has since been yanked.
According to the report, the Halo 4 limited-edition Xbox 360 bundle will include a copy of the game, a console branded with Halo imagery, and two wireless controllers with blue LED lights and Halo designs. Additionally, the bundle will reportedly include a black headset and downloadable content in the form of an armor skin, a weapon skin, and a character emblem, as well as armor and props for gamers' avatars.
Lastly, the Halo 4 Xbox 360 bundle will reportedly play custom Halo sounds when the system is booted up and when a disc is ejected. As of press time, Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment regarding the authenticity of the supposed product listing.
[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, Microsoft confirmed the Halo 4 Xbox 360 bundle and said more information will be divulged tomorrow.
"We'll have more information regarding the Halo 4 Limited Edition console and accessories this Saturday, so stay tuned," reads the statement.
Halo 4 is due out on November 6. A direct sequel to 2007's Bungie Studios-developed Halo 3, the game puts players back into the boots of Master Chief, adds a new Spartan Ops mode and an updated Forge toolset, and sees the return of the franchise's iconic battle rifle.
For more on Halo 4, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
This is the first I've been excited about a xbox 'upgrade'. Mine is still the very original when 360 first came out. So it's getting on a bit now. Pretty noisy these days. So this is a good excuse to get a new one.. Not to mention I could use the extra gygamegs!-Mitch
at this point everyone bought xbox atleast twice, one year until x720 come out and they wont you to buy off rest of the stock they have but ofc its has with new faceplate and blue lights! must have!!! GTFO!!!!!
nice i alrealy switched from an xbox elite to the gears 3 limited edition though so i will stick with that. however if i would of risisted the temptation to get the gears one i would of got this one inless of course they did a resident evil 6 one.
In terms of design this would have to be the ugliest Halo console ever! I love my minimalist silver Reach console - especially after seeing this OTT artwork. The graphics are so kiddy / tacky that I really doubt anyone with a remotely sophisticated theatre setup would let this console anywhere within sight of it.
fit as lol, wish I could afford to buy another 360 slim, that would be my choice straight away
This is quite impressive and I'm really liking the design of this console! Blue LED lights on the controllers as well is a nice addition, along with the sound effects. I'm still using my 360 Elite and was debating whether to pick up a Slim but I'll give it some thought and I may own one of these soon...
1 Like The LED's will start to annoy you very quickly. Just like the custom Halo sounds when you open/close or turn off the xbox. Don't think I'll buy this one.
@ValleyofDoom If it is like the Reach console sounds they will only play when you press the buttons on the console manually. Starting the console or ejecting the tray using commands from your controller doesn't activate the sounds. However the artwork on the Halo 4 console is atrocious - that would annoy me too much to even consider a purchase.
@damo320 If I'd have to be very honest, the artwork will never annoy me. It looks amazing in my opinion and just looking at that xbox it makes me horny as shit.
I guess you are right about the controller commands. Regardless, I use the controller often enough to give commands to my xbox, so I guess I'll still be annoyed. Not sure, but I think I will.
Regardless. I'll buy a regular or combo pack for Halo 4.. Not a limited edition. I feel it is too expensive. :P
Those custom mics are so awful, they are just the same default junky mics with some fancy decal. To buy them separately is $70.....WTF M$?
Um.. Why do they equip these "special edition" X-boxes with the CRAPPIEST MIKE IN THE WORLD? Then they go around and make a "limited edition" Halo mic for you to buy in addition to your "Limited Edition" Halo 4 Xbox. Simply tasteless from Microsoft. I won't be buying this one. At least I don't think I will...
1 Like A bit too busy. I wish the console had LEDs too. I'm not really into Halo, but it's almost time to update my fat Xbox...
Course, I have to wait until next year to see if the Xbox 720 is fully backwards compatible
So tempting, but I have my 250 gb black one, the controller looks like a suitable purchase since I'd only use it for Halo games XD
2 Like This fits in well with Microsoft's master Halo plan. "Hey, all those who have the 4GB consoles who won't be able to install the game. You can either buy one of our proprietary drives or, oh look! You can buy one of these!" :P
The Halo series has to have set the record for most Special edition consoles as well. The Original Halo CE had a limited edition Xbox console, Halo 3 had a limited edition Xbox 360 20GB console. The Halo Reach 250GB Xbox 360 S bundle and Now the 320GB Xbox 360 S console bundle with 2 controllers and the Halo 4 pack in game for $399.99.
I don't recall Halo 2 or Halo ODST or Halo Wars having a console bundle to go with the game. Even though they were all Pack in games or a bonus thrown in, even if it was only in downloadable form which cannot be said to be a" pack in" game . Making the Halo series to be the only game series to have been included with a console purchase at some point.
I like it, but I've never bought Halo swag and I probably won't start here. They must have an incredibly loyal fanbase.
3 Like Still majorly disappointed in the removal of firefight mode.... SIGH.... I guess that gives me an extra reason to still play Reach and ODST from time to time. But still...a VERY lame move on 343's part. :/
Yes, but they are adding a game mode similar to FireFight. Although I found FF to be a lot fo fun, this new game mode, Spartan Ops, looks awesome!!
1 Like @schlagermeister They did what?? why? this was one of the most fun game modes... not to mention it can be played offline....Oh man, I'm bit disappointed... :|
2 Like Looks nice. I've been thinking of upgrading, since I still have my 08 HDMI equipped model. I've only got 26gb out of 120 left, so I'm really thinking of making the switch. I started to get the Star Wars console, it's just that I don't really want the Kinect, or the game. I already have Kinect. Maybe I'll get this one. Looks very nice cosmetically. Hopefully I'll strike it rich!!
If the new Halo was meant to look and feel more alien, I can say that the paint job reflects it...
Cool but not needed.
I'd buy it for the hard drive......
the case & controller skin and Halo 4 would be icing on the cake lol
1 Like This will be the Xbox I buy. Never had one, never really had a reason to get one. Now I do.
If the next gen isn't coming out soon but it is, then I would buy it for over $400 because it looks f*cking awesome.
5 Like *yawn* a new fresh coat of paint on a 7 year old hardware *yawn*
polishing a turd is still a turd MS
5 Like @lm316 Great comment! Not really. You say this, while sporting what looks to be a Halo user pic?? If the 360 is a turd, what are the other 2 consoles? Vomit and STDS?
Yes, I would say no to paying $400 for that when you have the new hardware coming out next year.
1 Like Looks nice. But why would anyone buy a new 360at this point? Unless theirs break down or something.
Damn that looks sweet. I wish they could sell designed Xbox's like this from the beginning. I'm fine with mine. It will be good for people who want it however seeing that Halo 4 Multiplayer takes up 8 GB itself and 343 said downloading the game will make it run better.
9 Like If you want it, buy it. If you don't want it, don't buy it. You don't have to be a douchebag hating on people who want it.
5 Like Price is too high, the DVD playing 2005 hardware using 360 has been due for a price drop for quite some time.
@SolidTy The hardware itself worth like 50 dollars, if that. It makes you wonder what justifies the price. O i know, people dont understand how shit the hardware is, and they think the xbox is worth buying multiple times, as if the newer versions are any better or more powerful lol. I guess they think a bigger hard drive = more powerful machine or something.
Or people love Halo and Xbox and need or want an upgrade to their current system?? Your not going to see next gen for at least 2 more years, soo.....
If I didn't have a 250 silm, I'd be picking this up.
why is 400 so steep? it makes sense... an xbox 360 250gb is 300$ at stores right? well, including 2 controllers thats already 100 dollars right? and halo 4... 60, and all that extra little gimicks... its not a bad deal if you don't own a 360 and don't plan on getting the next big consoles anytime soon
@cronos809 Yeah man it makes perfect sense. A Xbox 250GB is $3000 dollars right? So the 320GB should be $4000. Regardless of the fact that the hardware is 7 years old and actually nets about 50 dollars if you would have bought each component individually, i will still buy this gloriously stickered obsolete gaming machine that is outmatched by current-gen phones for $400 dollars. I dont even care that i already have an xbox 360, this one is just so cool that im going to buy it. I mean it has a blue LED in it, come on! Its fucking amazing and totally worth the price.
@q-bert39 you need to understand they have to make a profit just because it has a dvd player does not take away the fact that it is still a good deal so yeah it is worth 400 bucks hell the game and the extra contoler would cost 100 bucks alone
343 Industries' new shooter mandates 8GB of free space for multiplayer, and for an "optimal experience," a full install is advised.
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Microsoft confirms that it won't charge any fees for any titles eligible for resale. Full Story
Playing Xbox One games on somebody else's console will also require a check-in every hour. Full Story
Sony confirms a $399/€399/£349 price for the PlayStation 4 hardware, $100 cheaper than Microsoft's Xbox One. Full Story
Will be coming in 2014. Full Story
Pan's Labyrinth director praises Ken Levine and Irrational Games for latest BioShock, says he would consider large-scale Pacific Rim game "God willing." Full Story
Xbox boss Don Mattrick believes concerns over connectivity are overblown, recommends Xbox 360 for those without an Internet connection. Full Story
EA Labels boss Frank Gibeau describes new project as "open-world action adventure game." Full Story
Sony on why it won't hinder PS4 used games--flexibility creates value
PlayStation boss Jack Tretton says ability to freely resell games creates value in the initial purchase; PS4 won't require online check-in because many...
