E3 '07: Microsoft readying Halo-themed Xbox 360, HDMI-ready

[UPDATE] Third installment of sci-fi first-person shooter series set to receive its own special edition of the console, HDMI output confirmed; pink, light blue, dark blue wireless controllers also announced.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--While the Xbox 360 has assembled a library of highly regarded titles including Gears of War, Dead Rising, and Forza Motorsport 2, for many, the entire point of the system is the upcoming sci-fi first-person shooter Halo 3. For those gamers, Microsoft's Peter Moore announced a Halo-branded version of the Xbox 360 at its E3 Media and Business Summit press conference tonight.

The Halo 3-branded 360

Dubbed the Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console, the console will be colored Spartan green with golden trim and be accompanied by a matching wireless controller. The console will include a 20GB hard drive, a headset, and a play and charge kit. An exclusive Halo 3 theme and gamer pics will be available to purchasers over Xbox Live when the package goes on sale worldwide this September. [UPDATE] Speaking to Bungie content manager Frank O'Connor, GameSpot has also confirmed that the Halo 3 Special Edition Console will support HDMI output. Microsoft has subsequently updated the product announcement on its official site to reflect the HDMI compatibility.

This is not the first time Microsoft has decked its console out in Spartan garb. Gamers might remember that a translucent-green Halo-branded edition of the original Xbox was released in 2004. That system was limited to 200,000 units and came bundled with a similarly colored controller, as well as the original Halo: Combat Evolved.

Aside from a few special-edition models, gamers have been thus far limited to stark black and white Xbox 360 gamepads. Microsoft also sends word today that it will be diversifying its palette with three new colors for its wireless controllers: pink, dark blue, and light blue. Available in October, the controllers will retail for $49.99.

272 Comments

  • fadersdream

    Posted Mar 14, 2009 12:16 pm PT

    so this comment is so late it's irrelevant, but;

    i have one, got when it first came out and i still love it. i have an entertainment system where it sits and because of the dark green it blends into the darkness really well and all you see is the orange drive cover and the green light. it looks awesome. i look at my friends white one, and now he has the knew red one... and the white one just looks really devoid of personality... like a wii. the red one is cooler... but it still lacks character... the re5 one is just red... no real connecting theme.

  • agoodschool

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 1:10 pm PT

    Its coming out in england 26th September for £265 on amazon but in store it will proably be around £280.

  • est9300

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 12:16 pm PT

    Is this xbox free region ?

  • drdeath15

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 9:21 am PT

    Any one know if its comming out in the uk :S i would import one but 360s are region locked arent they?

  • miningguy

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 5:56 pm PT

    they need more spartin green controllers

    and also i think this thing looks awsome

  • elite_ferns1

    Posted Aug 10, 2007 11:16 pm PT

    looked ugly at first but has really grown on me.

  • FidelSarcastro

    Posted Aug 9, 2007 2:33 pm PT

    Well I went ahead and reserved myself one of them at the local GameStop. True it does look like something you might find floating in a public restroom toilet but oh well I guess it is really only for those hardcore Halo fans that have $399.00 burning a hole in their pocket like myself.

  • davidhua

    Posted Aug 9, 2007 10:30 am PT

    looks cool but costs too much. Your just paying for the Halo brand. It on ly has 20 gigs on it.

  • GIJesse77

    Posted Aug 9, 2007 7:03 am PT

    looks ugly/

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Aug 9, 2007 2:50 am PT

    Man, I really want to get my hand on one of those limited edition Todd McFarlane controllers. Either side looks sweet. Playing the best FPS come September 25th will be all the more perfect.

  • rkangel

    Posted Aug 3, 2007 6:14 am PT

    I think a nice faux gunmetal, with military panel design would have been better. Oh well, Im stuck with the premium for now. Kinda hoping it craps out on me soon so I can take it back to best buy and ask them If i can exchance it for an elite falcon or halo 3 edition and only paying the difference. I actually bought their warranty so I just have to exchange for a new one.

  • bradly_2795

    Posted Aug 2, 2007 7:28 pm PT

    Looks almost reminiscent of the original Xbox Halo Edition. Also the HDMI port is a good addition, but only the 20GB HDD what's up with that? I might consider purchasing if the price is same as the Premium, which is very unlikely. Maybe I'll be wrong though and MS will make a good move. Other wise alot of kids this Christmas are going to be additions in Xbox live with their new Halo 360's and game.

  • jayson_60120

    Posted Aug 1, 2007 10:13 am PT

    O.K., now I bought the original Halo Xbox that came out in 2004 and it was awesome looking. Even the lights at the front of the system were cooler than the original black Xbox, but man... This Halo 3 Xbox 360 is ugly! It's not even transparent. No thanks Microsoft, Please.. Start adding HDMI to ALL Xbox 360's and get with the times.

  • Rivent

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 9:20 am PT

    It's green... because Master Chief is green... very clever.
    There is no doubt it is pointless and ugly but at least it gives little kids something to get for Christmas, which means even more stupid kids on xbox live.

    God damn it!

  • invsblfrnd7

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 7:58 am PT

    I think it is extremely stupid it only comes with a 20 GB hard drive. Why isnt this just a halo 3 themed 360 elite?

  • mcbride69

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    Wots with the red spot, they could of just made it green as well!!!!
    Rest looks sweet though

  • b-bigg

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 11:36 am PT

    No idea on How mush $ it will be?

  • glinz

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:19 am PT

    Alrigh I won't lie, at first I thought the Halo themed 360 was a little ugly but now I am starting to think differently about it because frankly I have a M$refurbished 360 that at times can be a little slower than I would prefer it to be and also Intend to get a new plasma tv at the end of the year or early next year so I want a a 360 with a HDMI port that will not issues the likes of which my current one does, but I also do not want to pay $479 for an elite so this is actually looking like a reasonable solution to me now that I have time to think about it.

  • stfolife

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    wtf isnt this game getting i mean come on legendry edition??

  • MajorCain501

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    Cool

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