Orange Box delivered to factory

PC and 360 editions of compilation of Half-Life 2, its two expansions, Team Fortress 2, and Portal is golden; solo Episode Two also Steam-ing 10/10.

In July 2006, Electronic Arts blindsided attendees at its summer showcase by announcing that it was publishing The Orange Box for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. After bringing Gabe Newell onstage, the publisher outlined the contents of the compilation, which contains five Valve Software games: Portal, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2, and the two Half-Life 2 expansion packs.

At the time of the announcement, The Orange Box was set for release in the fall of 2006. One year later, it is finally arriving in retail. Today, Valve confirmed to GameSpot that Xbox 360 and PC versions of the M-rated compilation have gone gold, and are set to go on sale October 10 for a respective $59.99 and $49.99. Those who preorder the PC edition at GameStop or via Valve's Steam download service will receive a $5 discount and an invitation to the ongoing Team Fortress 2 beta test. (GameStop is also offering $5 off the 360 version.)

Unfortunately, PS3 owners will have to wait a while before they can pick up Half-Life 2 hero Gordon Freeman's iconic crowbar. Valve revealed earlier this month that development for the Sony console game is lagging behind its siblings, with the SKU currently bearing a mid-November release date.

PC gamers who've played through Half-Life 2 and its first expansion, Half-Life 2: Episode One, have another option. Valve is also offering Half-Life 2: Episode Two la carte on Steam for $29.95 starting October 10.

229 Comments

  • dirty55409

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 2:08 pm PT

    Why so late on the PS3???? lame I'm going to go play HL2 on my 360 while my PS3 keeps collecting dust

  • BrandonC3000

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 7:47 pm PT

    Halo 3 and Team Fortress 2 are currently marked as my 2 favorite First Person Shooters, and I am seriously looking forward to finally unlocking Portal tomorrow!

    The words "Pre-loaded" are ripping me from the inside out! :'(

  • CowbellFanatic

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 1:59 pm PT

    KentTalbert

    "I can't believe people will be playing Halo instead of this...ignorant bastards."

    I will be playing both. Halo is popular for a reason, its damn good. But TF2 looks great so I'm picking it up as well. Am I an ignorant bastard?

  • liam72

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 5:22 am PT

    I buy it. I'll have complete Half-life series (except episode 3 of course)!

  • link631

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 7:54 pm PT

    team fortress owns its hilarious !!!!!!!!

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 5:48 pm PT

    Screw you Valve. Where is Black Box huh? The retailers scare you guys again?

  • beckoflight

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 12:08 pm PT

    YOur so right man !

  • LynchMob09R

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 9:57 am PT

    this is a must get for those that have been a part of this on going franchise for the graphics are enhanced for the console version so i can't wait to see this and get some achievements and comment for lynch03 this game is a quality game and of course its not halo for it is in its own class which puts it up there in the ranks among pc and console gamers alike!!!!

  • lynch03 posted Oct 2, 2007 9:28 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    lynch03

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 9:28 am PT (hide)

    Don't need this trash game, I only play quality games like Halo

  • alex20077

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 8:39 am PT

    wow thats a bargain since it include all those expansion stuff in one disk. I've never played HL2 so ill make sure to get this when i get a 360.

  • twocinc

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:41 pm PT

    "how the hell could you say you like playing on keyboards more?? a few buttons is alot more flexible and easy, than hitting small letters where there are like 32 different keys that do different things"

    Don't be a dolt. Console controllers are clearly better suited for sports games, platformers, and fighting games. Keyboard/mouse control is far far better for large scale real time strategy and first-person shooters. Can you seriously claim to be able to aim with a joystick with nearly the precision and speed with which I can use a mouse?

  • twocinc

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:35 pm PT

    I know this is a repeat comment, but shame on Valve for penalizing its PC fans. I own HL1 + all expansions, HL2 and HL2:EP1. Why am I being forced to re-buy previous content? (The ala carte option is no cheaper: HL2:EP2 ($29.99) + Portal ($19.99) = $49.98, a savings of $0.01 over the Orange Box price.) This, to me, indicates the complete and utter failure of the episodic content model. I've waited this long for episode 2; I can easily wait another few months until the price drops. The bright side of Valve's development cycle is that when epsisode 3 comes out, technology will have advanced such that you'll be able to play it on your cell phone.

  • cashmonkey78

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 11:45 am PT

    I really wish the developers would have made the games compatible to play inter-system much like Shadowrun allows 360 & PC gamers to play on the same servers. This would have seriously added a lot of tilt and fun to the game.

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 10:31 am PT

    This seems cool. Its like you're getting 3 games (arcade-esque, multi-player, and one MASSIVE solo player) for $59.99. Thats a fair price.

  • CaRD0N

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 6:04 am PT

    Excellent. What's funny is I think I am looking forward to Portal the most. I haven't played a good puzzle game in a long, long, time.

  • torres_unix

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 11:26 pm PT

    I can't wait to play to the next chapter in this story - I've been addicted to Half Life ever since I played HL1. This is a definite purchase for me.

  • Vetle2k5

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    cyw1988: "this is good news... i'll buy it off steam instead... but what about team fortress 2? can i get it off steam as well? Hope they release more info on that... "

    TF2 is included in The Orange Box (Both retail and Steam) and if you want to buy it seperatly you can do that (Only on Steam).

  • stavros69s

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 7:10 am PT

    ultimateRAGEX - moron

  • cyw1988

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 8:30 pm PT

    this is good news... i'll buy it off steam instead... but what about team fortress 2? can i get it off steam as well? Hope they release more info on that...

  • GrimBee

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 5:17 pm PT

    "UltimateRAGEX lol at the POS3 having Half Life 2 delayed!! I hate PS3!"..... Says the guy with the master-chief avatar..

    I disslike alot of things about the ps3, such as the media format forcing antics from sony forcing people into their movies and using the playstation crowd as poor suckers to buy into their stuff.

    I see Sony as the evil witch with the apple in snow white...

    BUT - For that ideology does come some genuinely good stuff. But thats for another debate.
    Sure, everyone has a right to like certain consoles and hate certain ones. But theres no need to slag one off on a news topic...

  • UltimateRAGEX posted Sep 28, 2007 5:07 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    UltimateRAGEX

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 5:07 pm PT (hide)

    lol at the POS3 having Half Life 2 delayed!! I hate PS3!

  • uklegendkiller

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    Sounds great, i really can't wait to play this classic again for 360

  • HardCore_PC_Gmr

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    Let me add to what "Funereal" said;

    Also, you can plugin your controller to your PC and play your PC games on the 42" LCD too (if you prefer).

  • HardCore_PC_Gmr

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 12:48 pm PT

    Sounds great!

  • vaultinasafe

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    Can't wait to play Team Fortress 2 on XBox360 or PS3!

  • Funereal

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:38 am PT

    With simple contraption known as a VGA cable you can play PC games on the 42" LCD too, not that complicated and doesnt involve the purchase of a gaming console.

  • LordGamer0001

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:27 am PT

    im excited as ever... this is a must buy even though i already own half life 2. the orange box is just so perfect.

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:23 am PT

    Yes! Can't wait! TEAM FORTRESS 2!!!

  • AzureLivesOn

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:13 am PT

    Right, because PC's HD is clearly 'real' whereas console is 'fake'. I love when ignorant kids with zero clue try and sound better than a fanboy... by being a fanboy. They sound almost as bad as the PS3 ones ("Blizzard is not saving our ass from extinction!! UR STUPID NUB! I'm gonna go blast you in a blog online lolwtfomgbbqkthnxbai")

    For me, Team Fortress 2 is worth the $60 pricetag alone because I'm like that and a break from Halo 3 will be nice (not saying it's bad, not at all, just too much of a great thing can be overwhelming). Adding four other games is just cake, even if it's technically two games and expansions.

  • amj1984 posted Sep 28, 2007 11:11 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    amj1984

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:11 am PT (hide)

    Hell......Whatta hell is that. Look at that idiot box's art ,that look really s*ck! Who design this ugly box's art!!!

  • rafracada

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 11:01 am PT

    Who says that, a console fanboy?
    I´ll be playing on my PC in REAL HD. Enjoy your 42” toy. Also I need no “Rumble” as console fanboys to play a game.

  • ---n00b_kid--- posted Sep 28, 2007 10:50 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    ---n00b_kid---

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:50 am PT (hide)

    Also 360 controller has RUMBLE. Keyboard/mouse has no rumble.

  • spencdiamonds

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:49 am PT

    LOL have pre-order for 360

  • ParisSun

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:45 am PT

    Enyoy your 15-17 inch monitors PC fanboys. I'll be playing in the comfort of my living room on my 42" LCD. Console wins again.

  • cheezlarson

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:36 am PT

    How can episode 2 be $30 if HL2 + episode 1 + episode 2 + TF2 + portal = $45? Since portal and TF2 look like they're worth more than the extra $15 I guess I'm going to have to go for the orange box even though I already have HL2 + episode 1.

  • gorilaboy

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:18 am PT

    GrimBee, the orange Box contains Half Life 2, the two episodes, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. Your wish is coming true, and then some.

  • owman

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:11 am PT

    pc version totally rocks!

  • R-ZZZ

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:06 am PT

    Worth every penny.

    strong sp
    +
    fun mp
    =
    one box

  • rogue48

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:05 am PT

    TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!! TEAM FORTRESS 2!!
    I cannot wait!

  • darkchaostitan

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 10:00 am PT

    A great deal on whatever system

  • GrimBee

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 9:55 am PT

    I thought it would be more appropriate for the console version to have Half Life 2, Hl2 ep1 and Hl2 episode 2 in the box instead of TF2 and portal.

    My only reasoning for this is that on Steam I purchased Episode 1 for £5, and HL2 is only £10 on the PC - for me to get access to the original game and episode 1 it would cost me as much as a regular title (when buying episode 2 at the same time).

    And because only the first xbox had HL2 on it, chances are that ps3 owners and even 360 owners have never even played Hl2, let alone episode 2 and episode 1.

    So - It would of been better for consoles to have HL2, Ep1 and Ep2 in one box, and portal and TF2 be bundled with a next-gen counterstrike or something like that. That way console owners can get the half life 2 universe in one set, and then side great side-orders in another.

    Its a perfect combo for PC users as you get more than what you bargained for.
    But for console owners, I thought it would be more beneficial to them to have hl2 and ep1 and ep2 in one set as they probably never have got a good PC or have been able to play through the story of the previous titles.

  • remy272003

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 9:51 am PT

    I want the orange box for the 360 because it has been so long since i played it BUT one thing I will sorely miss if I do is the mods on the pc version, especially Goldeneye Source.

  • smith447

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 9:36 am PT

    i wanted only TF2, portal and ep2..but i just bought the entire orange box.

  • i_got_you60

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 9:27 am PT

    ep 2 give me valve

  • Proman84

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 9:12 am PT

    Cool, can't wait to play it.

  • teufelherz

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 8:57 am PT

    I want it. I want it now!

  • dynomitemasta posted Sep 28, 2007 8:48 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    dynomitemasta

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 8:48 am PT (hide)

    Half life2 had problems running on the original xbox, i believe they said they addressed these issues and it runs as good if not better than the ORIGINAL pc version. I had to stop playing it for the xbox because it made me physically ill, something about the way they ported it. I hope they have it up and running in top form. For those that think it wont be up to par with the original pc version, uhh, who cares, playing games on your pc is about as fun as eating soup with your fingers.

  • kazanator

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 8:36 am PT

    yes it does....simplae as!

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