Microsoft Unveils Halo 4 Limited Edition Console

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If you’ve been waiting to buy an Xbox 360, man, have I got good news for you.  As part of their presentation at the San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend, Halo 4 developer 343 Inudustries unveiled a limited edition Halo 4 themed Xbox 360 console that will launch along with the game.  Read on to take a look at the uhhhh… thought provoking design they decided on.

Without further delay, here’s the Halo 4 limited edition console bundle.

halo4-console

Yeah, soooo… interesting design choices there.  Quite a bold artistic statement.  More on that later.  For now, let’s cover what’s so special about this special edition console, besides the unique graphical stylings.  The console comes with a whopping 320gb hard drive, which you’re gonna need for all of the post-release downloadable content 343 has planned.  As you can see, it also comes with two wireless controllers which share a similar design to the console.  Also included is a wired headset, which is unfortunately (or fortunately) just plain old black.  Rounding out the package are codes to download special in-game and avatar items from the Xbox Live Marketplace, and the standard edition Halo 4 game.  Quite a hefty haul, I must say.  But I know what you’re asking…. “how much is this gonna set me back?”  The answer is $400.  Cash only.  OK, not really cash only.  But it really is $400, which really isn’t all that bad when you consider that the 250gb Xbox 360 sells for $300, and is lacking the second controller, game, and totally radical paint scheme.

Now… about that paint scheme.  Yikes.  I don’t like it.  According to the official 343 Industies blog, the design is “inspired by the game,” but I fail to see how.  Granted, we’ve seen relatively little of the game thus far, so maybe its inspiration will become clearer as we get closer to launch.  And I admit that the blue lights on the console and controllers are pretty sweet, but when I look at that console, I do not think “Halo.” 

One thing that does make me think Halo, however, is the limited edition controller that will be available separately from the console bundle.  Take a look.

halo4-controller

Now this thing rocks.  It would’ve looked better in classic Halo green, but everything else about this controller is friggin cool.  The UNSC insignia, the Halo 4 brand, the blue lights… slick.  I’m buying one.  It will retail for $60 and be available by October 21. 

Uncertainty about the design choice aside, it’s reassuring to see Microsoft putting together a quality Halo 4 bundle at a pretty decent price.  As the start of a brand new trilogy, and a not-so-subtle attempt to knock Call of Duty of the FPS throne, this bundle will surely help Halo 4 make a big splash when it launches this November 6th. 

Oh, and I’m not the only one who isn’t so psyched about the console’s design.  Take a look at what Bioware designer Manveer Heir had to say about it.

halo4-console-manveer

Couldn’t agree more, Curry Thunder.


About the Author: (@Joe_of_the_Dead) Lead Editor, Writer

Joe was born in a time of war. A console war. Two electronic titans were locked in a heated battle for the living rooms of America. Which titans, you ask? Well, the Fairchild Channel F and the Atari 2600 of course. You see, Joe is old. So many of his favorite games tend to be on the older side as well. But that hasn’t stopped him from developing unhealthy obsessions with such modern franchises as Halo and Mass Effect. Just don’t tell him how long it’s been since the original Metroid was released. His aging heart can’t take the shock.

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