Confirmed: Trio of Halo 3 editions, fall release

Whether gamers like their Halo 3 simple, with some extras, or in a superdeluxe package, they'll likely all be able to go home happy later this year, as Microsoft has confirmed three editions of Halo 3. Though this may not be a surprise to those who have paid attention to the dearth of details about the game--three editions of Halo 3 were spotted on an online retailer's Web site back in November--Microsoft today divulged further information on the products, including updated pricing.

The publisher also confirmed what many had suspected from some promotional art released in February. Halo 3 will be in stores this fall.

For the ultimate Halo fan, Bungie Studios and Microsoft are offering up the $129.99 Legendary Edition--named after the game's highest difficulty level--in limited quantities. As previously reported, the Legendary Edition will include a miniature replica of a Halo Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI Helmet (pictured), the same type of headgear Master Chief dons.

For $130, Halo fans will also get a collection of storyboard art from artist Lee Wilson. The pieces depict crucial moments from the Halo story.

A pair of supplementary DVDs (in addition to the Halo 3 game) rounds out the Legendary Edition. The first disc adds background to the development process in the form of behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the game and Bungie Studios, and also includes an audio-and-video-calibration utility to maximize home theater performance.

The second bonus disc, which is exclusive to the Legendary Edition, features remastered cinematics from the first two Halo games, along with commentary from the Bungie team. Also included is a featurette on "a day in the life at Bungie" and content from Halo machinima series Red vs. Blue and This Spartan Life.

Those who can't afford the arm and the leg for the Legendary Edition but don't mind giving up a finger can drop $69.99 for the Limited Edition. The Limited Edition includes the first bonus disc from the Legendary Edition and a Halo fiction and art book, which expands the series' storyline and details the various critters and factions of the Halo universe.

And for gamers who don't need any bonus materials and just want to blast the Covenant, the Standard Edition, which includes just the Halo 3 game, will retail for $59.99.

Halo 3 has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information on the game, read GameSpot's previous coverage.