No matter what your opinions of the series, the launch of a Halo game is always a huge event in the gaming calendar. With the launch of Halo 3 taking in more money on its first day than Spiderman 3, the Halo series is a phenomenon that's not to be sniffed at - and if you like special editions (and Halo, of course) then Microsoft has something special lined up for you.
Launching in three different variations, choosing to buy Halo: Reach, is more than a simple binary decision. Luckily, if you're as good at making decisions as we are (and we are, no, wait, we're not... or are we?), we've got some information to help you make your mind up.
The Standard Edition
Alternatively known as the lightweight edition
Doing exactly what is says on the tin (OK, technically the plastic packaging), is the standard edition of Halo: Reach. The "vanilla" edition of the game, this is simply the disk, the manual, and the case with an RRP of £49.99.
Now, this is where the things get a bit more exciting.
The Limited Edition
That's a nice box. Patches, a fancy box, and an innovative blend of an art book and prequel fiction to ease you into the game. Plenty of Halo for your money.
The mid-range Halo: Reach bundle is the "Halo: Reach Limited Edition". Building upon what you get with the standard edition, netting this one will also bag you a much nicer box (described as an ONI "Black Box"), a redeemable code for "elite" armour which can be used in Halo: Reach's multiplayer, an "artefact bag" which contains a journal from Dr.Halsey (the creator of master chief), and two badges - one of which is Dr.Halsey's ONI security badge, while the other's a Spartan II Patch badge. The Limited Edition will hurt your wallet a bit more than the vanilla edition, at an RRP of £59.99 - but for only £10 more than the standard version, you have to wonder who wouldn't pay the extra, for the amount of Halo goodness you'd be getting.
The Legendary Edition
Do Want.
And lastly, but certainly not least, is the Halo motherlode - the Halo: Reach Legendary Edition. This is the thing that people like our editor, Ian, will sometimes find themselves dreaming about. For collectors of gaming paraphernalia, hardcore Halo fans, and people who like large boxes, this will be their Christmas come early. Coming with all the things from the Limited Edition, the Legendary Edition also includes an exclusive multiplayer Spartan armour effect (whatever that means), a custom USNC (the Halo good guys) themed box, and an amazing Halo: Reach statue. Weighing in at 10lb, and standing 10" tall, the centre piece of the Legendary Edition, which is made by the highly regarded McFarlane toys, is an incredibly detailed tribute to all things Halo: Reach.
Offering the best value for money out of the three - to our eyes at least - the Legendary Edition weighs in at a reasonable £99.99 RRP. As each statue will be stamped with its own limited edition number, however, the Legendary Edition looks certain to have a pretty limited run - and although exact figures have not been released as of the time of writing, it certainly seems like it would be well worth placing a pre-order, if you want to be sure of getting it.
With the game's multiplayer Beta (or pre-release demo) having just kicked off, the Halo: Reach hype train is just getting started. It's gonna be a long wait until the game's September launch - but with our helpful advice, at least you've got plenty of information, and plenty of time in which to make your mind up.
Maybe.
