Best Buy stores plan midnight release for Halo: Reach

For fans eagerly counting down to one of the biggest video game premieres of 2010, Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) announced that more than 400 stores across the country will open their doors at 12:01 am on Tuesday, September 14, to celebrate the launch of “Halo: Reach.” In addition to the extended store hours, Best Buy is also offering fans a $20 Best Buy gift card with any in-store, online or pre-order purchase of ”Halo: Reach” through September 18.

“‘Halo: Reach’ is without a doubt one of the most anticipated games of the year, and we felt there’s no better way to celebrate the launch than to offer fans a special gift card incentive when they visit us in store or online to purchase their game”

“‘Halo: Reach’ is without a doubt one of the most anticipated games of the year, and we felt there’s no better way to celebrate the launch than to offer fans a special gift card incentive when they visit us in store or online to purchase their game,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “Every ‘Halo’ game release has been a major entertainment event, and based on the level of excitement we’ve seen so far, ‘Halo: Reach’ could be the biggest of them all.”

To mark the biggest installment yet in the momentous “Halo” video game franchise, Best Buy is celebrating with:

• FREE $20 Best Buy gift card with purchase of the “Halo: Reach” game, one of the limited editions, or with the Xbox 360 console bundle through September 18.

• While supplies last, participating stores will also be hosting “Halo”-themed giveaways and trivia contests as part of the midnight open events for fans in line. They could receive the Collector’s Edition Marvel Comics “Halo: Fall of Reach” with exclusive cover art from world-renowned graphic artist, Phil Noto.

To kick off the midnight store openings happening across the country, the marquee “Halo: Reach” launch event will take place at the new Best Buy Theater in Times Square, New York the evening of Monday, September 13. Leading up to the midnight release, fans will be able to start lining up at 8 am for the opportunity to be among the first to play “Halo: Reach,” win exclusive “Halo” prizes, meet the creators of the “Halo” universe and match up with other fans – many in “Halo” cosplay from the iconic sci-fi universe – in the first “Halo: Reach” tournament.

For more information or to find a Best Buy store opening at midnight in your area, visit www.bestbuy.com/haloreach.