Huge Halo 3 Merchandise Plans News

Amidst a wave of useless statistics taken from the Halo 3 beta test - 820,000 participants, 12 million hours logged - Microsoft has announced the release of two Limited Edition Xbox 360 controllers and a range of other Halo merchandise to get the bandwagon moving.

Designed by Todd "Spawn" McFarlane, the two controllers feature Covenant Brute or Master Chief themes and will be available from September for $59.99. Joining what is already becoming a tidal wave of traditional Halo hyperbole, Xbox 360 owners can also look forward to the release of a Limited Edition Halo 3 wireless headset. Sporting a green and gold design, the headset will also be released during September for $59.99. Microsoft has yet to confirm a release for either peripheral outside of North America, though we can't imagine Halo loving Europeans would be deprived for too long.

If that wasn't enough, the slightly more serious Halo fan can look forward to the next book in the Halo series. Written by Joseph Staten, Bungie's cinematic and lead writer for the first two Halo games (isn't there a single-player storyline for Halo 3?), Halo: Contact Harvest precedes the previous books and chronicles the first encounter between USNC forces and the Covenant that provides the backdrop for Halo Wars.

Finally, Microsoft will also release a Halo 3 Zune player, pre-loaded with artwork, trailers and music from all three Halo titles, along with an exclusive episode of Red vs. Blue for $249 exclusively in Gamestop across North America.