Halo: Reach game editions announced

Attention all Halo fans! Microsoft announced today that the upcoming installment, Halo: Reach, will be available three different flavors: Standard Edition, Limited Edition, and Legendary Edition. Squee!

Bungie.net writes on their news site that they’ve “worked hand-in-hand with Microsoft and McFarlane Toys to ensure that no matter your selection, from Standard to Limited to Legendary, you’ll be getting a great experience to go along with your kick ass game.” Even better, the Limited Edition and Legendary Edition promise to be “filled with content based on the fiction of Halo: Reach and the Halo universe”. Awesome!

Here’s what you need to know about each version:

Standard Edition ($59.99): Just that. Game disc, manual, nothing fancy. Good for the casual fan or players interested in seeing what this “Halo thing” is all about.

Limited Edition ($79.99): This version is great for the fan who is really into the games, but maaaaybe not as hardcore as others. In addition to the game disc and manual, this version comes with the following:

• Game disc housed in recovered ONI ”black box”
• An exclusive in-game Elite armor set for use in multiplayer modes
• Artifact bag containing Dr. Halsey’s personal journal and other classified documents and effects that unravel long held secrets from the Halo Universe

Legendary Edition ($149.99): According to Bungie.net, this edition, “which will be produced in very limited quantities, is designed for the Halo fan who has to have it all.” In addition to the game disc, manual, and the complete contents also found in the Limited edition, fans who pre-order this version will also get:

• Noble Team statue expertly crafted by the artisans at McFarlane Toys. Individually molded, hand-painted and individually numbered, this statuette is a must have for any serious Halo fan
• UNSC-themed custom packaging
• An exclusive multiplayer Spartan armor effect

Each edition of Halo: Reach is available for pre-order at participating retailers starting today. As Halo fans know, the Limited and Legendary Editions will only be available for a short while, so I’d highly suggest ordering your copy ASAP.

This latest first-person shooter in the Halo series drops Fall 2010 for the Xbox 360.