Halo 3 to launch in May 2006 after all?
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Sep 24th 2005 at 10:00AM }
According to
Best Buy, Halo 3 might not be delayed until 2007 after all. The retail giant has listed the
game's release date as May 15, 2006. This suggests that Microsoft still might play its ace against the PS3 launch in
Japan, which is rumored to be next spring.
Of course, Japanese gamers (historically) don't care for FPS games, even if their interest in the Xbox 360 is
growing. But honestly, can we really trust
Best Buy's guestimate?
[Thanks, Fady]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mariofan14 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Wow...i hope its true cause i won't the my Halo Fix, but if they push it out so soon will bungie have enough time to make a great game?
Mariofan14 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
*EDIT*Wow...i hope its true cause i want my Halo Fix, but if they push it out so soon will bungie have enough time to make a great game?
smapte @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
can we really trust Best Buy’s guestimate?
short answer: no.
long answer: no, not really.
Osiris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Oo havent seen that box art before, is it real?
Seems a little early for Halo3, i think it will really take a chunk out of PS3, but i game wise i would prefer Halo3 to be finised and perfect rather than hurting Sony.
Stephen @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Either way it still sucks. If it comes out 2006, it'll suck. If it comes out 2007, it'll suck. Halo sucks -- period. :)
Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Stop aiding the spread of rumors. No retail outlet will know the release date of Halo 3. Bungie has said hundreds of times that they are the only ones who can make that announcement, and they will when it is ready. Best Buy guesses a date that may seem logical only to get more preorders from gullible people who beleive that Best Buy knows more than the developer about the progress of their game.
Rabiddog @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Stephan-
Such negativity, enjoy your "Nintendogs"
toop @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
doesnt Matter MS! Japanese tastes have NEVER been about FPS and shooting people randomly. if you want an ace card .. .put out a killer rpg or Nintendogs type game ... Halo 3 is not gonna do it in the Japanese market.
Cem @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Spring 2006 is the moment I'm going to buy an Xbox 360, so a launch of HALO 3 would be MORE than welcome!! :) I think we'll be hearing some HALO 3 stuff at upcoming X05 event in Amsterdam.
swoosh bnd @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Who cares about what the online stores say, they're usually wrong...
Smiling Politely @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
According to Best Buy Zelda: Twilight Princess was supposed to come out March 5, 2005 then November 19, 2005. Store release dates on the internet are useless.
CheapyD @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"But honestly, can we really trust Best Buy’s guestimate?"
No, no you can't.
eric @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Said it before and I'll say it again. Microsoft is going to release this puppy as soon as they can to drive sales. They would be foolish to wait until 2007, to release their most popular title, three years into the life of their console.
Look for something else in 2007...
Apparently they're banking on Perfect Dark Zero to be a big seller around launch. Good luck with that!
Splash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Halo 3 won't kill sales in Japan, but it could have an affect on PS3 sales in America. Look for Microsoft to pull out another title around the launch of the PS3 to drive sales in Japan.
There's a good number of titles under development that won't be ready until that time frame... hmmmm
BlackYoshi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
2007 would be at the most 2 years into the life of the console. Math is your friend, Eric. Ocarina of Time came out 2 years into the life of the N64. Holy shit, that game blew ass, right? It only had the most preorders ever until Halo 2 also. The game will sell Xbox360s when it comes out, after it comes out, and probably before it comes out. But Halo 2 won't launch in spring 2006, unless Bungie clocked some major overtime.
Fady @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Being that I have inside sources at Best Buy, this could mean one of two things... A website developer wants to be funny and put together a nice little rumor (even if BB knows about it, they may actually not mind at all), or, that Best Buy, being as big and powerful as they are, got permission to put something tentative like this up. Either way, if it stays up a week ro so, I'm going to rely on the latter as the real reason for this page going up.
Einhanderkiller @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Halo 3 better be better than Halo 2.
Halo 1 rocked, but Halo 2 was a piece of shit.
zander106 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I really don't believe this notion that Halo 3 has great appeal beyond hardcore gamers. The Halo series is a sci-fi FPS with some vehicle interaction. Barring major gameplay changes, no one new is going to buy it who didn't buy a Halo game before.
Sure, Microsoft played up how Halo 2 grossed something like $100 million in its first week of sales. But another title released within a week of Halo 2 ended up with more sales and more money for 2005: Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.
What I would be REALLY worried about if I were Microsoft are those weak-ass videos of Madden 360 making the rounds. A new improved Madden will bring in more XBox 360 purchasers than another iteration of Halo. A weak-looking Madden will make everyone say, hey, I'll just wait till the PS3.
kuroshi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Madden 360! Who the hell was stupid enough to think Madden was going to set the bar on the 360. Since when has EA made great looking games. It's one of the uglier games on the xbox and the same will true on the 360. EA has never made visually stunning games like other developers (Ubisoft). Holo 3 won't get more gamers? Halo 2 sales were far beyond Halo. If you think Halo sucks, why post on a Holo thread. I didn't care for MGS3 but that's just my taste not the game. The negativity doesn't make you cool or intellectual, just an asshole. I agree best buy doesn't know anything, and a release on the Japanese launch would be stupid. Halo3 will sell in Japan but no FPS will hit the top of the Japanese charts. A heads up launch with the american launch of the PS3 makes more sense. The Japanes market is more about reputation anyway. The American market is were the money is made. Gamecube far outsold the Xbox in Japan and it still didn't help them. They ended up below Ms in overall sales. Japanese market=not that important. Japanese developers=important. They have the developers this time the rest is just gravy.
Cem @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
@zander106:
You're really funny. So Madden is the game the mainstream gamers are interested in?? LOL!!
Nossy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
LOL, MS is trying to scare Sony and delay their system to a Fall release in the US, which most likely is the case anyway. Halo is to the US/Europe like MGS is to Japan. Too bad Sony does not own Konami. Konami screwed XBOX with it's lame release of MGS2 which Hideo didn't even work on. It's safe to say that Konami and Sony has teamed up, likewise Tecmo Team Ninja and Microsoft has teamed up. And for MGS series, I've never liked playing it, I enjoy watching my sibling plays it and follow the storyline. Hideo should really team up with SquareEnix and make a CG movie.
Andrew @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Why do you even post this crap!?!? EVERYONE knows that the official release date will be when BUNGIE says it will be. They haven't even announced if they're even working on it, so it's absolutely rediculous to post these speculative dates when YOU KNOW it's just retailers throwing up a stupid page and guessing a date so they can start taking preorders. Really dumb to pass that "news" along and screw with your readers. :
Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Either way it still sucks. If it comes out 2006, it'll suck. If it comes out 2007, it'll suck. Halo sucks -- period. :)"
Dude, you think the game sucks - but then took the time to read about it, click on comments, make a comment, and confirm it? Pathetic!
"Such negativity, enjoy your "Nintendogs""
Why can't one enjoy both Halo and Nintendogs?
"Halo 1 rocked, but Halo 2 was a piece of shit."
Halo 3 will be an even bigger turd - make sure not to buy it!
yoshizuki @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Good lord! What's so hot about Halo, i've never understood the difference between Halo, Quake, Duke Nukem... all crap
LMAO @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Really? I never understood the difference between Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and any role playing game for that matter.
thies @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
To be honest japanese rpg's are really boring for me nowadays. they are too heavy on cutscenes, tend to be too linear and too heavy on tedious random fights to level up. and somehow I by now really can't stand the anime look anymore. I still think MS is full of shit with their two packages they are going to sell and I want to see their marketing department burn in hell, but games like Oblivion might really sway me to grudingly buy a 360.
zander106 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
To all those who ridicule my Madden argument: here's a link to the list of top-selling video games for 2004:
http://retailindustry.about.com/od/seg_toys/a/bl_npd012703.htm
And a link to top-selling video games for 2003:
http://retailindustry.about.com/od/seg_toys/a/bl_npd012703_2.htm
In 2004, Madden 2005 came in third behind Halo 2 and GTA: SA. It was followed immediately at #4 by ESPN's NFL 2K5, another football game. In 2003, Madden 2004 was the top of the charts. I will bet you that for this year, 2005, Madden 2006 will be the top of the charts.
The Madden series is easily one of the biggest all-time selling video game franchises in the history of video games. If that's not "mainstream" then please tell me what is. Sports games are as mainstream as you get.
Using sales data as a guide, mainstream gamers want to play sports, race cars, and play with virtual dogs (Nintendogs), virtual creatures (Pokemon) or virtual people (Sims). I'm just trying to provide some perspective here. Joystiq readers tend to be more hardcore gamers and love games like Warcraft III, Ninja Gaiden and the Halo series (just as examples).
My point is that Halo 3's importance to XBox 360 shouldn't be overestimated. One game doesn't make a system. Did Nights save Saturn? Did Shenmue keep the Dreamcast afloat? MS would be better served having a large library of quality titles and emphasizing their (likely) cheaper price point when the PS3 drops. For the sake of a good Halo 3, it should just come out whenever Bungie feels like it's ready, whether that's 2006 or 2007.
Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Good lord! What's so hot about Halo, i've never understood the difference between Halo, Quake, Duke Nukem... all crap"
"Really? I never understood the difference between Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and any role playing game for that matter."
What's the difference in any game? On all of them you push some buttons and things react on the screen. All game are the same and they all suck!
Stephen @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hmm...interesting...#5 has the same name I do. I thought I was the only one using the name "Stephen" Maybe I shouldn't post here again using the this name
His comment doesn't represent my opinion!
I don't like FPS that much, but I think Halo was a pretty well made FPS for console. I think they should put more time to perfect Halo3 though. They shouldn't just rush it to get it out the same time as PS3 :(
RageOverdose @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"But Halo 2 won't launch in spring 2006, unless Bungie clocked some major
overtime."
lol! Of course not, because Halo 2 is already out. Check yourself before you
comment. No offense meant.
Halo 3 will sell 360's like crazy. Halo/Halo 2 did wonders for the Xbox. It
really doesn't matter when it comes out, as long as it doesn't take too long. I
hope its better than Halo 2, that game dissapointed me. I like Halo alright
though.
Take2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
BlackYoshi I think eric meant the 3rd year after the console is released (give or take) 2005 + 2006 + 2007.
You don't have a be a dick about it.
GT007 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
The important thing is that they don't rush Halo 3 like they did with 2. Halo 2 ended up sucking compared to the original. I don't mind waiting for a decent game. I'm going to wait a while for the 360 price to drop, then get a bunch of Xbox1 games(which will be cheaper by then).
- GT
OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Here we go all over again,people complaining about Halo.
Why is it that when the Xbox gamers want to discuss their big franchise (Halo) all they get is shit but when the Sony gamers want to discuss their big franchise (MGS) they can do so as they please with no problems? Someone explain this to me,please.
Boohoo,it's a FPS that's "bland and mediocre" to the "XTreme Gamerz" but everyone else loves it to death,fucking cry about it.
I think hip-pop music is stupid compared to other stuff,but I don't constantly walk around telling people who listen to it "You know,a genre of music that is alot better is such and such,and because I love and know alot about music.which makes my taste more right and thus better than yours".
Nobody cares if you think it's some mediocre,boring game with "crummy" gameplay.If they have fun with it and think it's the greatest game,then who gives a shit? It's not like this game is affecting any of the games you like,so why do you care so much? Games are meant for people to have fun with and if that's what people are doing then Bungie has suceeded.You need to stop looking at it from a technological/production aspect of "OMG WTF these trees and textures are the same as the first game!" and have fun with it. Do you think the everyday people who play these games even notice shit like that?
What,because people like Halo more than other FPS that are "better from a gaming aspect" and you think they shouldnt? Tough shit,they love the game,get over it. My all time favorite group is the Beastie Boys and people think 50 Cent is the greatest rapper ever.Does this affect me? No,because it won't do anything to the group I love,so why should I care?
You need to stop thinking you're a game critic rather than the consumers that are meant to play a game to have fun. Stop whining like a little schoolgirl because it isnt going to stop the millions of people who buy and enjoy Halo 3 when it's released.
If you arent having fun with a game because the level textures are the same from a previous level then I think you really need to reconsider why you play games.
Oh,and to whoever said "doesnt Matter MS! Japanese tastes have NEVER been about FPS and shooting people randomly. if you want an ace card .. .put out a killer rpg or Nintendogs type game ... Halo 3 is not gonna do it in the Japanese market."
Since when is Microsoft making a Japanese console,because I could have swore this console was for the world,not just Japan,you know,this includes North America too.
But i'm sure you knew that right?
Jeff @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I'm surprised you guys don't get stuff like this yet.
All they do is put placeholders on their sites. Nothing more.
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
OTAM:
You say people love halo 2, and indeed they do, just look at the raving reviews, so why bother with a whole paragraph rant on PS fanboys?
"Why is it that when the Xbox gamers want to discuss their big franchise (Halo) all they get is shit but when the Sony gamers want to discuss their big franchise (MGS) they can do so as they please with no problems? Someone explain this to me,please."
It's called paranoia, a shrink may help.
OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"It's called paranoia, a shrink may help"
It's called observation is what it is. I'm not talking about on just this website. I'm talking about in real life (it has happened inside a game store when I bought my DS and it happens to my friends all the time), and on other gaming forums (totse.com's,1up.com's,ect).
I wouldnt say it for no reason,I see it happen to people all the time,I just usually don't say anything because I don't need to get into an arguement with some idiot spewing his opinions all over the place like it's wanted.
wouldnt you like to know @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
personnaly i find it dissapointing that everyone bashes Halo 2 as much as they do. i found the game a little dissapointing but not nearly as bad as everyone says it was. sure the storyline was more than a little lame, but remember that it is just a "bridge" between 2 kicka$$ games (hopefully):). I'm really faithful to bungie in their ability to put out a great game and i hope we dont see another halo 2 delay.
Neo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
hi peepz in ere lol. I personaly fink halo as a game on most consoles is js nufing bt brilliance in every way av played halo (1) on Xbox n found it a gr8t game ta play. I played halo 2 online on ma pc n wht a brilliant uncompairable online shooter til counter strike CS. N Nw Halo 3 comming close release its gona be outstanding, game ov the year 1st in the game charts n a name ta remember. But il still prefere half-life 2 ta ene 1 who relly wonts a propa fps all in 1. Ene comments js post them ta me.
Rob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Neo, do you know how hard it is to read your post? Type properly man!
Why are there these big defining lines between different gamers? I'm a hardcore Nintendo fan, always have been, yet my X Box library is almost as big as my GC's. Surely we're all in this to play the games we like to play, not to compare our consoles to others.
And fair play to OTAM when he was talking about the textures etc not changing much between Halo 1 and 2. I think far too many people worry too damn much about graphics in games these days. That's how we end up with all these shite movie tie-in games - pretty graphics, zero gameplay.
Ashley.S @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Your guys arguments are going nowhere, is probably a lie I'll only believe when halo 3 comes out when bungie, Microsoft, or whatever says so. So shut your damn arguments and wait and see if it really comes out on that date. You know what, you guys are funny when you all argue with each other from the background. Lets just give Bungie some room to think things over on Halo 3 so they can make us all happy for once and try not ruining it for the rest of us. PLEEAASSE!