Halo 3 landing September 25

Microsoft's long-awaited shooter arrives earlier than expected in North America and Australia; European release September 26.

For a while, 2007 was looking a lot like 2004 as far as games go. After a light summer, the release schedule will grow very crowded come fall. The packed calendar is topped by Grand Theft Auto IV, due on October 15, and Metal Gear Solid 4, which has no firm ship date, and Halo 3. The third installment in Bungie's sci-fi shooter was given a 2007 release at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Conventional wisdom has been that it would follow its two Xbox forbears and arrive in mid-November, three years after Halo 2 and six after the original Halo: Combat Evolved.

Halo 3 MP beta

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Today, though, Bungie Studios revealed that Halo 3 will break with tradition and arrive nearly two months ahead of its anticipated mid-November launch. The Xbox 360-exclusive shooter will ship on September 25 in North America and Australia, and will ship in Europe the following day. The game has not yet been rated, but is available in three different retail packages: the $59.99 standard edition, the $69.99 limited edition, and the $129.99 "Legendary Edition" complete with a replica of the Master Chief's helmet.

Halo's new ship date also calls into question the presumed release window for another one of Microsoft Game Studios' top 360 titles of 2007. Most online retailers listed Mass Effect, the forthcoming Xbox-exclusive sci-fi game from celebrated Canadian developer BioWare, as coming in September. However, in light of the Halo 3 announcement, it seems unlikely that MGS would release two of its tentpole titles within three weeks of each other, as it would cannibalize sales. However, Microsoft spokespersons had not answered inquiries about Mass Effect as of press time.

For more information, check out GameSpot's recent hands-on preview of the Halo 3 multiplayer beta or view one of the gameplay movies below. The beta is scheduled to roll out throughout the day on Wednesday, and Microsoft is further fanning the flames of anticipation by releasing a special Halo 3 edition of its Zune MP3 player. When it goes on sale next month, the Zune: Halo 3 Edition will come preloaded with content from the game, including videos, soundtracks, trailers, artwork, and television spots.

617 Comments

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jun 3, 2007 8:13 am PT

    The folks and Bungie and Microsoft had better be practicing their swan dives, because that's the best way to get down off the piles of money they're going to make this autumn. I hope they have some footage of Scrooge McDuck to study.

  • Nc23Nick

    Posted May 31, 2007 4:22 am PT

    THIS GAME IS GOING TO OWN!!!
    GTA V WILL GET ITS BUTT KICKED BY THIS GAME
    DONT WORRY ABOUT BUGS GUYS,BUNGIE IS WORKING THIER BUT OFF FOR US,IM SURE THIER DOING A GOOD JOB

  • Nc23Nick

    Posted May 31, 2007 4:21 am PT

    alot of u guys r worried about the bugs in the game sicne its coming out early,well u got a point,but i wouldnt worry about it,Bungie has been workign thier @$$ of 4 this game,and for GTAIV.....Halo is going to kill it

    Go HALO!!!!!!!!

  • Elrebel

    Posted May 21, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    geez this game is going to OWN.
    im totally skipping school the day it comes out

  • DatDud3

    Posted May 21, 2007 11:33 am PT

    Halo 3 delivered Sept 25....I'm not holding my breath.

  • GregersVarg

    Posted May 21, 2007 4:27 am PT

    almost my bithday ;D

  • TTDog

    Posted May 20, 2007 8:04 am PT

    "bronson2k3: They not making ya wait 3+ months more for it as Sony did with the crapstation 3"

    Not strictly true... Europe had to wait 4 months for the PS3

  • xTheExploited

    Posted May 20, 2007 7:28 am PT

    Yes, only have to wait 'til September. I hope Mass Effect comes in the next couple months though.

  • TheSpam

    Posted May 19, 2007 10:08 pm PT

    On my birthday as well yay!

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted May 19, 2007 9:05 pm PT

    That's pretty early, I wouldn't be surprised if it was called back.

  • patfellover

    Posted May 18, 2007 10:41 pm PT

    HAHA BRONSON2K3 LOL, CRAPSTATION 3. IM FROM AUSTRALIA AND I CANT BELIEVE WE GET HALO 3 THE SAME TIME AS AMERICA FOR ONCE. SH*T YAAAYA. 9AM SEPTEMBER 25 WOOO BABY.

  • clqtte

    Posted May 18, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    Truly to say that Halo game is not my cup of tea.

  • Bronson2k3

    Posted May 18, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    "Quote" The Xbox 360-exclusive shooter will ship on September 25 in North America and Australia, and will ship in Europe the following day."Quote" HaHa awsome at least Microsoft loves u euro gamers. They not making ya wait 3+ months more for it as Sony did with the crapstation 3.. Opinions are like butt holes everybody has one..Sony sucks

  • kappareign

    Posted May 18, 2007 7:40 am PT

    cant wait for september. lots of good things coming around then

  • gabwa007

    Posted May 18, 2007 5:42 am PT

    WHAT!?? Mass Effect delayed just because of Halo 3 ! D:

  • neo5387

    Posted May 17, 2007 11:10 pm PT

    Couldnt it plz come out on an earlier date. PLEASE!!!!!!!! I envy everyone. lol. I leave for Basic Training on September 24. Now tell me that does not suck so much butt. come on bungie let some of us get it earlier plz.

  • panteral3

    Posted May 17, 2007 9:28 pm PT

    Dammit. I just bought a Zune....

  • mr_montoya85

    Posted May 17, 2007 8:28 pm PT

    I'm still waiting for the 1st Halo to come out on the DS...lol

  • quickhhh

    Posted May 17, 2007 8:26 pm PT

    YEAH

  • ocdog45

    Posted May 17, 2007 7:48 pm PT

    what the,,,,,,,

  • vf21x

    Posted May 17, 2007 7:07 pm PT

    HALO 3 is really just a HALO 2.5, so get over the hype until a real next gen HALO come's out.

  • zedjay

    Posted May 17, 2007 6:28 pm PT

    *laughs* sept 25th. yeahhh righht...Bungie must be REALLY confident. I dont know whether thats a good thing or not. The way bungie has been projecting themselves thus far gives me the impression that the majority of the game has been completed and that they are just cleaning up bugs and tweaking the multiplayer maps. Should the game be finished this early?

  • Titan_BG

    Posted May 17, 2007 5:36 pm PT

    To me Halo is far more important and fun that GTA and that includes all of them. I just really enjoyed the first Halo storyline and was prepared for the bottleneck that happened in the second one, but just like movies usually the closing one at least rivals the first one if it isn't the best, which is why I have already preordered my copy and am playing the Beta.

  • rdo

    Posted May 17, 2007 4:59 pm PT

    ms may have moved halo up to sell consoles at the current price before an oct or nov price cut. ms could have a plan to dominate the christmas sales.

  • Slywolf315

    Posted May 17, 2007 2:14 pm PT

    Meh The only way I will buy it is if it comes out also on PC in the future.

  • Kfoss

    Posted May 17, 2007 2:02 pm PT

    wait didnt the beta just get released..and its filled with bugs...i think there pushing it...just wait damnit and make it the best game they can..but noooooo....there gonna release sooner..and patch the crap out of it..

  • brad_d

    Posted May 17, 2007 1:42 pm PT

    They should wait the extra two months to fix any bugs and tweak the graphics to the extreme, since most are concerned with graphics now

  • SKOM34

    Posted May 17, 2007 1:02 pm PT

    I smell an 8.6

  • westsidejedi360

    Posted May 17, 2007 10:41 am PT

    dude, a freakin spartan helmet. You'd hav the best halloween costume ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And an extra disc

  • blamder-drag

    Posted May 17, 2007 9:40 am PT

    I dont get why anyone would buy the legendary edition i really need to stop forgetting to pre order my limited =(

  • westsidejedi360

    Posted May 17, 2007 9:19 am PT

    Oh snapple, my brother is dropping off his application for a job at Gamestop today. Hooray for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • pizzajon

    Posted May 17, 2007 8:33 am PT

    *Pre-Ordering now*

  • Poppy425

    Posted May 17, 2007 6:39 am PT

    Sony is hoping for a big month in Sept with alof of releases. I am wondering if Microsoft is having Bungie release in Sept to take some of the pie from Sony. And like it or not, Halo 3 is the #1 anticipated release with over 6 million preorders at Gamestop/EB games alone.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted May 17, 2007 6:35 am PT

    Sweetness!!!! Hope this'll be the best Halo ever....

  • lonelygamer360

    Posted May 17, 2007 4:04 am PT

    " don't think that anyone would notice Halo 3 if it came out in the same month as GTA IV."

    woooaa....u kidding me..?

  • lonelygamer360

    Posted May 17, 2007 4:04 am PT

    " don't think that anyone would notice Halo 3 if it came out in the same month as GTA IV."

    woooaa....u kidding me..?

  • Mike_Carrington

    Posted May 17, 2007 2:06 am PT

    rochie101, that comment is one of the most stupidt hings ive ever read. cant wait for release now

  • diabloJonathan

    Posted May 16, 2007 11:42 pm PT

    man these videos were aright it gave me the tingling feeling in the back of my neck, although i dont know about the date if it comes out in toronto on september 25 ill probably have to wait until november but at least u guys get it eurly so many halo fans like me in U.S, damn i wish i could play this game new weapons 1 of my faves is back the assault rifle but the ammo was only 32 in halo it was 60 wasnt it? but that doesnt matter this is going to be unfreaken beliveable.

  • JobberGobber

    Posted May 16, 2007 11:31 pm PT

    Im so proud of MS for giving us aussies the same date as the US.. Almost brings a tear to my eye..

  • maximo1

    Posted May 16, 2007 10:14 pm PT

    Rochie101, that is some funny stuff that you just wrote. I suppose you don't remember Halo 2 clearing $125 million in 24 hrs when it launched which is more money than any piece of entertainment in history. GTA would be the one unnoticed.

  • Rochie101

    Posted May 16, 2007 9:57 pm PT

    I don't think that anyone would notice Halo 3 if it came out in the same month as GTA IV. Even though it is one of the most anticipated titles of the last 3 years. And I think that if it came out after it Bungie wouldn't get the sales that they want. It's a smart move to release it earlier. The first half of 2007 has been disapointing for good titles, lets hope that these titles make up for it.

  • rockstarrem

    Posted May 16, 2007 9:48 pm PT

    Lol @ Legendary Edition.

  • zsc4

    Posted May 16, 2007 8:54 pm PT

    Yes it would be better to get it out before GTAVI...lets see what happens.

  • jdbthexboxgamr

    Posted May 16, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    Nice,sooner than I thought,since I originally believed it was going to be November.........

  • Lightchaos

    Posted May 16, 2007 8:23 pm PT

    best game ever! can't wait!!!

  • crazy_boy166

    Posted May 16, 2007 7:51 pm PT

    cant wait

  • Chainblast

    Posted May 16, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    That was sooner than expected. I hope MS releases better quality consoles by then as it's pretty much the leading reason I don't own a X360 yet.

  • aRE-you-AFraid

    Posted May 16, 2007 7:02 pm PT

    I could just kiss Jason Jones, only a few days after my birthday, then bam, Halo 3. Nothing could be better.

  • haunter666

    Posted May 16, 2007 6:52 pm PT

    Agree, It's Obvious

  • Jedi_Osborn

    Posted May 16, 2007 6:44 pm PT

    I don't see the halo date moving, but I can see the mass effect date being shuffled around. Either way both games will be awesome and I'll play them both. giggity giggity

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