Xbox and Halo are synonymous with one another. With every new Xbox, there's a new Halo. Halo is Microsoft's flagship title, and though its popularity may have waned in the last few years, it still has a prominent place in all of Microsoft's marketing. Over the last two decades, this marketing has extended to special edition Halo console releases, some of which have gone on to become some of the most iconic Xbox consoles of all time.
While special edition consoles are nothing new, with Nintendo popularizing console variants in the 1990s with its many different Game Boy iterations, Xbox has had an overwhelming number of special edition variants over the years, with some of the most well-known being Halo-themed. From the original Xbox all the way up to the Xbox Series X, Halo has had a special edition console in every generation.
Every Special Edition Halo-Themed Xbox
The very first Halo-themed special edition Xbox console, and one of the first limited edition Xbox consoles overall, is the iconic translucent green original Xbox. Released in 2004, around 200,000 of these translucent Halo: Combat Evolved-themed Xbox consoles were made. Packaged with a matching green controller, the Halo logo in place of the Xbox symbol, and a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved, this bundle is one of the most iconic in all of Microsoft's history.
One of the rarer Halo special edition Xbox consoles is the Halo 2 ice blue variant, which was released in 2005. Essentially just a blue version of Halo: Combat Evolved's translucent console and controller, this bundle is lesser known, and tends to go for a bit more on resale sites. A more expensive version of this Halo 2 special edition bundle was available as well, offering an exclusive Halo headset on top of the ice blue console, controller, and game.
Released in 2007, the Halo 3 special edition Xbox 360 is another instantly recognizable variant. A lot more visually impressive than the last two Halo consoles, this Xbox 360 has a matte green coat, with orange highlights on the hard drive, and a gold disc tray. The sides of the console are also detailed to match the Spartan armor motif, with neat lines drawn across the console, and the UNSC logo placed on top. This special edition bundle also came with a matching green wireless controller and headset, the perfect companion to Halo 3's online matchmaking.
In 2010, the Halo Reach Xbox 360 launched. Using the Xbox 360 S as the base, this Halo Reach special edition console boasts one of the sleekest designs of the lot, with a metallic silver coating, and some subtle UNSC decals dotted around the console's sides and front. This special edition came with a wireless headset and two controllers, all given the same metallic silver paint job. The Halo Reach console would also emit unique themed sounds when ejecting a disc and pressing the power button, such as the Mjolnir armor recharging sound.
With the release of Halo 4 in 2012, another special edition Xbox 360 was released. This console features a much bolder visual design, with grey covering most of the console, but a stark blue line emanating from the power button and stretching across the console. This same design was present on the package's two controllers, and the wired headset. The lights on the controllers and console shine blue, rather than green, and the console makes various Halo noises. A Halo 5: Guardians Xbox One special edition also released, featuring 1TB storage, and a sleek metallic gray coating on both its console and controller. This bundle also came with a collectible model and some digital rewards.
The most recent Halo special edition console released last year to coincide with Halo's 20th anniversary. Featuring a very subtle black and gold design, this special edition Xbox Series X features a gold trim that resembles Spartan armor, and small white dots set against a black background that resembles a night's sky. The controller included in this special edition bundle features a similar Spartan armor-like design, with gray wrapping around the controller, with gold highlights.