Halo 3 Special Edition 360
 

Picked mine up at midnight, the Wal-Mart I got it from only got 10 in, so it seems like these will be pretty limited. Anyway, I took some pictures of the real thing and decided to give a mini-review on it.

Click here to see all photos in full resolution

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/...0560446be6.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/...d35d018fc8.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1375/...7b75e425dd.jpg

Here's the box. Looks pretty sweet, even though the idiot at the register was rough with it and made a corner have a little dent in it. I should have asked for a 50% discount as a result, but oh well.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1285/...66a2dc3c4a.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/...c711fd2f56.jpg

The console itself, in my opinion, looks very nice. I think the color of green they gave it fits really well and does not remind me of throwup in the least.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1340/...3980297bb4.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/...c08abec67b.jpg

However, the controller it comes with almost does. It is just the plain green without the cool "battle damage" effect or any UNSC logos/writing/etc.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/...615a1f3438.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/...58dd86769c.jpg

The headset is nice because I finally have another one of these cheap pieces of garbage that look different than the rest, so I can finally claim one as my own and make my friends use the other ones. Other than that, it sucks. The green does NOT go at all well with the rest of the (gray) headset. And it doesn't even have the Halo logo or anything on it. Same as normal headset except with the terrible green/gray theme.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1060/...18ceedbe8b.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1253/...56da40e851.jpg

To my surprise (since I never read up on it that much since I knew I was going to buy this regardless), the console also comes with a play-and-charge kit. If you don't already have one (I do), this is a great addition, especially since it includes a rechargeable [black] battery out-of-the-box, as well as the standard AA batteries.

Unfortunately, it does not come with an HDMI cable, but it does have an HDMI port which is something I always wanted on my other 360s.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/...78f6a49fa7.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/...3c96c67bd7.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1030/...d8d2b1795f.jpg

The biggest weakness on this console is easily the hard drive. You cannot easily swap it unless you want the new one to look ugly and not match, so you're stuck with this useless 20GB one. 20 gigs is not enough space, it's as simple as that. Out of the box you have 9.XX GB free because of the reserved system space, and a bunch of gay demos like Madden 07 (doesn't even make sense since 08 is out and they all suck anyway), which I promptly deleted. My 120GB HDD on my other 360 is just freakin' sweet. You never even get close to running out of space, and it's completely overkill, which is a good thing. They should have at least made the Halo 360 have 40 gigs, which would be acceptable. Oh well, at least it looks awesome.

You also get the exclusive codes to download the Halo 3 Special Edition Theme and Gamerpic Pack, which I have included in the picture for those curious about what they look like. Pretty neat.

Xbox Live Blade:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/...59e4925e12.jpg

Games Blade:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/...5dd0895c8a.jpg

Media Blade:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1260/...32eb8fc0a3.jpg

System Blade:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/...b09b852e46.jpg

Guide:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/...5027771657.jpg

Gamerpics (7 of them beginning with the thing to the left of the 3 logo):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/...5b08241468.jpg

Overall, this is a great thing for a huge Halo fan. Though most people aren't big enough fans to want to pay an extra $400 for this. You're basically getting a 360 Premium ($350), with HDMI ($??) (though aren't they all going to have it eventually?), and a Play and Charge Kit ($20), Exclusive DLC ($5), which means you are paying an extra $25-ish for the Halo makeover. If you think that's worth it, go for it. Otherwise, the 360 Elite is easily the best value (in my opinion).

Finally to answer questions I've seen people ask about it, I am not sure if it has the new GPU cooling stuff, since I haven't decided to void my warranty yet and check, though I'm 99% positive I will give in and do it anyway very soon. And the DVD-ROM drive that mine came with is the Hitachi.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/...bdc9370d_b.jpg

This is, by far, the ugliest piece of shit I have ever seen in my entire life.

This thing looks like it's been stripped of it's original colour and painted by a 14 year old. Not only that, but it looks like a bunch of transparent decals have been applied. Furthermore, why is the mute button red, and button to open the disc tray green? Do I really have to mention the controller? How the FUCK does this thing fit into any entertainment display without being a complete and utter eyesore?

Proof people will buy anything so long as a name is attached to it.

I didn't even know this was on sale yet. I thought they were going to bundle it with Halo 3, but that would make no sense whatsoever for a thing called HALO 3 SPECIAL EDITION 360, right? No sense at all.

Also, no way I'm ever going to touch this with a ten foot pole. I don't mean to sound rude, but Lix totally nailed it. This is in fact the ugliest console I've ever seen in my life for sure. It looks like somebody with the worst type of diarrhea just shat all over this Xbox.

Haha, I was thinking the same after looking through all this. I mean not even a coupon for 3% off the game at EB or whatever? Tsk tsk. Though this is a huge improvement over the original Xbox's eyeball melting translucent fluro green Halo edition. :gonk:

Simple, just paint everything else green. I don't think it's all that bad, honestly. But then I didn't really freak out when I saw my mates purple GameCube buried in a sea of bland. You sorta get drawn to it right awa-WOW VIDEO GAME CONSOLE! While we're on the topic of exciting special edition consoles, nothing is ever going to beat the Hello Kitty one.

http://asia.cnet.com/i/r/2005/gb/mar/hellokitty_b1.jpg

Pure style!

So? What exactly is the problem.

It makes perfect sense. If the consumer wants the barebones game, they get that. If they want the limited edition version, they can get that. The point is to let the consumer have the choice. It being called the Halo 3 Special Edition 360 obviously refers to the custom case, and anyone interested in buying it is well aware of the fact that they still have to buy the game.

All Premiums that are being released into the wild now come with HDMI output. There may still be some premiums on store shelves that do not have it, but the ones leaving the factories do. I could only assume that if they keep the cores around much longer, they will eventually get it too.

As for this Halo 3 console, it's kind of ugly, as orange and olive puke green don't really go well together, but hey, it plays video games. Who sits around looking at their consoles?

Frankly, this doesn't really look much worse than the standard 360. I think the 360 in general is very cheap-looking, though the Elite model is an improvement thanks to its colour.

What the fuck is that finger on the controller, though? It looks like something from an eighteen year old 'graphic designer' with a warezed copy of Photoshop. Those guys love putting useless arrows and shit everywhere.

Edit: okay, if it's just a sticker then nevermind. It sure looks funny though.

I guess so you won't forget where the xbox logo button is.

I have to agree with everyone that color is hideous. Split-pea soup is ugly.


That's better than Nintendo's attempt at a custom console...

http://www.n64emu.com/img/history/n64pikachu.jpg

Ah, IIRC it's just a sticker that's on every 360 controller at initial purchase, A-ism. Something there to let you know how to turn on the controller/activate the console. Peels off and what not. The Hello Kitty X-Box will have your souls, that's really all that needs to be said.

Yes, that is about as bad as them pointing out where the step is on the warthog. V STEP V

Well, if the military of the future is anything like the military of today, most people in it might be too stupid to realize that's a running board unless you point it out to them.

I'd buy that Halo 360 in a heartbeat but I have not the moneys.

Or maybe not. Actually, I won't buy a x360 till the 65nm models get widespread. In one year, none of those Halo painted 360 will be funtional, mark my words.

Lix is actually right about something for once. You got duped, Tube. That thing is GROSS. Aside from the obvious Halo obsession, can I ask what justified the couple hundred dollars you spent on that when you already have the far superior Elite unit?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...console005.jpg

HALOL(r) 3
BUNGIE H3-0
1E100 0x
x.a - D34th 4nGle 108
|n|n|nROGUE PROCESS ghost 713>
*arrow pointing in the space between the Halo "o" and 3*
*more undecipherable scribbling*
... POS/NAV ...
CONFIRM SECURE QUARANTINE ... blabla ... ghost 713 again


Leet speak is so cool. This console will be very popular among the average Halo fan.

You guys are totally just jealous. Keep the hate comin'. :cool:

Hey, that is pretty funn-- WAIT A MINUTE!

------------

It's not that bad, certainly not great but fuck there are some people acting like this is a travesty at the level of the holocaust or something. That or they broke a nail over it, I don't know. Whatever it is, it needs to be douched. FUCK MICROSOFT FOR GIVING FANS... whatever the hell it is you give fans.

"People will buy anything so long as a name is attached to it."

Parn nailed this one in one sentence if you want to talk about people doing more than just stating the apparently obvious. How many people here are fans of certain developers? Or games series? You're going to buy what you want, product and brand name recognition exist and you aren't going to escape that. Especially when several members here make it known through motherfucking journal entries, threads, and/or posts as to their purchasing habits.

Yes, it is badly designed. Thank you for making it known you aren't going to buy it and whoever did is dumb and they're dumb, right?

Because he wanted it? What other possible reason could there be? Not that it really matters, seeing how everyone's entitled to spend their money how they see fit and don't have to justify their purchases to anyone.

Dude that makes sense. They said there'll be no Halo 4, and they'll keep their words, they'll just jump to Halo 23 or 263.

I kind of like this Xbox. Seeing as how I'm gonna buy one at the end of this month, this is actually not a bad Xbox to get.

Why you'd get this over the price-dropped Elite is beyond me.

What's the cost?

Is this basically a 360 Pro with a $50 shell?

I'm sure I could pay someone less than $50 to do a really great design on the case.

I think the problem would be that somebody purchased a 360, which cost more than the Elite, which doesn't even come with a 120 GB HDD, while they already own an Elite. Also, if anyone knows me, they'll know I always take up Limited Editions and stuff like that, but usually box sets and the like come with art books, bonus soundtracks, posters, maps, etc - they don't come with less.

Sorry Tube, people think I'm insane for buying expensive Japan-only stuff, but at least I gained from my purchase.

No it doesn't. It costs $400, the Elite costs $450. Not that it's relevant anyways. He wanted a limited edition Halo 3 console, and so he put down the money for it.

Looks to me like he gained ownership of something he really wanted. Who are we to dictate what he did or didn't gain anyways? By your own words, people "think you're insane" for buying Japanese products that you desire, so why do you feel the need to give someone else a hard time over what is basically a similar situation? Is not every person entitled to spend their own money however they see fit without having someone else ridicule them for it?