Microsoft brings up special edition Xbox ahead of Halo 3 release

Microsoft’s eagerly awaited release of Halo 3 is expected to shatter all sales records. Although the Halo 3 might make gamers wait for another week, the Halo special edition console is already there to be picked up.

“Halo 3 is vitally important for the Xbox 360, which is important for Microsoft as a conduit into the living room,” said Billy Pidgeon, game industry analyst for IDC Group. “It will certainly drive adoption of the console. There are gamers who have been waiting for Halo 3 to come out to buy a 360.”

The special edition console comes in an authentic Spartan green and gold finish along with matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, 20GB Hard Drive, Headset, Play & Charge Kit, Halo 3 Gamer Pics and Theme available via Xbox Live download.

Also, it carries the HDMI output feature which is a bonus for the gamers, who, until now could only get the feature by spending big bucks on Xbox 360 Elite. The feature can be now bought by spending extra $50 on the Halo console, which retails for $399, as compared with the regular Premium console for $349.

Reaching beyond gaming consoles, in the entertainment sector Microsoft has also planned black and brown Halo edition Zunes, that will come preloaded with appropriately themed soundtracks and media.

The gaming console battle is getting fiercer by the day and Microsoft’s biggest rival is the Nintendo Wii that has reportedly outsold both the Xbox and Sony’s PS3. Although Xbox remains ahead of the PS3 by more than 2 to 1, Sony is constantly coming up with new strategies to give a tough fight to the better selling rivals.

In this combat between the companies, the ardent gamer is the definite winner. If one company offers more features the other will immediately try to make up by putting forward a price cut and the endeavor to get better is never ending.