Limited edition versions of games are all becoming more and more common, but Halo 3’s ultimate edition is quite possibly the most expensive limited edition North America is privy too. For $129.99 (estimated retail price) or equal to a Nintendo DS Lite, the Halo 3 legendary edition comes bundled with a Spartan helmet, a handful of Halo universe featurettes, a home theater audio-visual calibration tool, storyboard samples and of course the game. The less expensive ultimate edition has the first disc in the legendary edition’s collection which has the making of Halo 3 documentary and the home theater calibration tool plus it has a book of Halo fan fiction. Finally the third “budget” version of Halo 3 retails for $59.99, which is the game with none of the fancy extras. Which version suits you?
Edit: The eagle eyed CAG community noticed that Best Buy is selling pre orders of the limited edition for $30 cheaper for $99.99. Plus you’re eligible to pick up 1600 MS points for $5 with the deal.
The Legendary Edition ($129.99 U.S. ERP*) will be released in limited quantities and arrive in a highly collectible Spartan helmet case that no hardcore “Halo” fan should be without, along with two bonus disks full of supplemental content. The first disk will provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage and videos, including a high-definition “Making of ‘Halo 3’” documentary showcasing the Bungie team and its effort to create the most anticipated title in the industry’s history; numerous high-definition featurettes documenting the creative design processes involved in developing the game; and even a look at some early game concepts and their evolution through the game’s development. The disk will also include an audio-visual calibration tool, never before seen on a video game and custom designed by the “Halo 3” graphics and audio team to make the most of fans’ high-definition home theaters, for the ultimate “Halo 3” and Xbox 360™ audio and video performance.
The second bonus disk, an exclusive to the Legendary Edition, will include completely remastered cinematic material from “Halo: Combat Evolved” and “Halo 2,” supplemented with developer commentaries, to provide a refresher course on the thrilling “Halo” story so far, and a featurette documenting a day in the life at Bungie. Exclusive content from the creative minds behind Machinima artists “Red vs. Blue” and “This Spartan Life” will also be included.
Finally, fans who purchase the Legendary Edition will receive an illuminating collection of original “Halo 3” storyboard art from artist Lee Wilson, depicting key moments and pivotal scenes from the epic cinematic production of “Halo.”
The Limited Edition ($69.99 U.S. ERP*) will also include a bounty of extras. Within a sleek metal collector’s case, gamers will also receive the first bonus disk found in the Legendary Edition, as well as a special “Halo” fiction and art book. A must-have for “Halo” collectors and a source of invaluable and exclusive information, the piece is an elaborate and compelling guide to the species and factions that inhabit the worlds of the “Halo” universe, with never-before-seen art and story elements that expand and illustrate the depth and breadth of the “Halo” fiction.
And for those who crave nothing more than the highly anticipated third chapter to one of the greatest gaming trilogies, the Standard Edition ($59.99 U.S. ERP*) will consist of the “Halo 3” game.
