Consumer check: Halo 3 limited edition may have scratched discs

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 24th 2007 at 7:15PM }

It may be worth opening up your limited edition Halo 3 case (with camera in hand) while in the store tonight and make sure the disc isn't scratched before walking out. Although it originally started as a NeoGaf post (pictured), GameDaily now reports that three of their own staff members also received scratched discs in the limited edition case. The issue apparently only pertains to the limited edition version of the game which retails for $70, allegedly the nub holding the discs in place isn't working properly and the discs are tossed around inside the case during transport.

The standard edition and the legendary edition (the Master Chief head one) don't appear to be affected by this issue. All this means is that for those of you who ordered the limited edition, just make sure to check your discs before you leave the store. Please make sure to take deep breaths if your game disc is scratched, you'll hopefully be able to hand the defective product back immediately for a full refund. Remember, the key is to play the game, not obsess over the box it comes in. Focus on the priority.

Tags: box, defective, halo3, limitededition, scratch

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Mr Khan @ Sep 24th 2007 7:20PM

So it wasn't just a rumor...

Now lets see if this gets blown way out of proportion, or swept under the carpet

Jeff @ Sep 24th 2007 7:20PM

Seems like every major release that doesn't have big problems (lair, etc) has dumb little problems (this, BioShock widescreen).

kornholio360 @ Sep 24th 2007 7:20PM

I preordered limited edition...*hopes to get lucky and get a good copy*

GoldenS1104 @ Sep 24th 2007 7:21PM

Special editions seems like a waste of money to me anyway. It's not like a lot of those useless videos and artbooks won't end up online. Even when they do I'm not gunna bother looking for them. I'm good with just the game. Also, if I'm not mistake, IGN had a video of unpacking the Legendary Edition and all of their discs were loose.

LiasonAngel08 @ Sep 24th 2007 7:28PM

I used to think that way too...

But I've come to realize that it varies from game to game.

Despite all the hype about Halo 3 and despite the fact that I'm all for the game and will probably love it to death I'm still not convinced that theres any real difference between the Standard Version and the other 2.

Nothing of real value anyways. Unlike in Gears of War.

I just go on a case by case basis.

Phil @ Sep 24th 2007 8:18PM

When 1up had a special unpacking of the legendary edition, it too contained loose discs.

The funny thing, though, is I think the guy opening it saw that it was loose, and he tried to immediately rush and put it back on the nub (because we all know 1up doesn't want anything Halo related to look bad).

Obie @ Sep 24th 2007 9:33PM

Agreed, all the vids on that ship with the game will be
on youtube the next day.

killploki @ Sep 24th 2007 7:22PM

shaking the case will be a good way to tell if the disk is loose or not....either that or it loosens it and then scratches it.

LiasonAngel08 @ Sep 24th 2007 7:25PM

Joystiq's back on the grind...

DerBats @ Sep 24th 2007 7:31PM

@GoldenS1104

The press legendary edition came with a limited edition stuffed inside from what I saw. The retail legendary does not.

Watership @ Sep 24th 2007 7:35PM

There are not enough copies purchased yet to determine if this is widespread. Just wait until Tuesday night to hear 'actual stories'.

Kryptinite @ Sep 24th 2007 7:35PM

I'll cry if this happens to me.

Big Ed @ Sep 24th 2007 7:39PM

Wow, the Xbox 360 can scratch the discs before you put it in the disc tray! Now that's next gen!

j/k btw.

Bidoof Protection Military @ Sep 24th 2007 8:09PM

I was gonna downvote you until you said your were just kidding, so now it's all okay and I'll upvote you.

ThornedVenom @ Sep 26th 2007 5:07AM

The "j/k" is the magical term to troll and to get upvoted at the same time.

I do that all the time. ;P

James @ Sep 24th 2007 7:41PM

Quit whining! I'll bet that able a few weeks of handling the discs, they'll be scratched up anyways. Not many out there are anal in keeping the game discs prestine by handling the discs with thumb on outer edge and index in the center. Most hold them like frisbees.

jovin6 @ Sep 24th 2007 8:18PM

I don't know about that. Personally, I've never met anyone who regularly used DVDs (i.e. gamer, movie buff, etc.) and didn't hold them the correct way. It's a pretty elementary skill considering how long DVDs and CDs have been around and isn't actually any less convenient than holding them the wrong way.

Agent4187 @ Sep 24th 2007 7:47PM

OMGLOLSCRTCHDDISK=HALODETHOLOLOLO!!11&8

Um yeah, I thought I might as well use up the "Idiot reserve" for this story right here. And yes, that wasn't serious. At all. Really. I mean it. Stop looking at me like that.

penrodjm @ Sep 24th 2007 7:49PM

Wobble Wobble HE HE

SamS @ Sep 24th 2007 7:58PM

The same thing happened with the Halo 2 CE. That came with a terrible case and tons of discs were scratched.

ordigas @ Sep 25th 2007 2:05PM

Yeah, that poorly designed case scratched my Halo 2. Fortunately I was able to finish it before that (not in legendary, though).

I'm receiving my Halo 3 via mail. I hope it doesn't gets scratched on it's way here *crossing fingers*

Kamall @ Sep 24th 2007 8:04PM

RCOD, red scratches of death?

Bidoof Protection Military @ Sep 24th 2007 8:11PM

1) "Scratch" starts with an "S," not a "C."
2) They aren't red, either.

You get an "F" on your paper. You may resubmit for 10% deducted due to being late.

Fish @ Sep 24th 2007 8:04PM

It's a good thing I always carry a knife into Gamestop with me

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 24th 2007 8:06PM

Weird I thought people carried guns to gamestop.

Fish @ Sep 24th 2007 8:12PM

They do. I bring a knife to a gunfight. I like a challenge.

jchensor @ Sep 25th 2007 3:48PM

You sends him to the hospital, he sends you to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 24th 2007 8:04PM

Sh*t happens.

Good thing I pre-ordered the legendary edition now let's hope my pre-order is ready tomorrow.

Vol @ Sep 24th 2007 8:06PM

Hmmmm.. we have the DSOD issue now.

(Disk Scratch of Death)

Or whatever varient you want.

Wait a sec.. these limited buyers will be holding up the line for the rest of us! Buy it and get out of the way when you're checking it out.

vauxhall @ Sep 24th 2007 8:12PM

Just looking at mine now (wooo to living in Australia) and it's absolutely fine. I don't really see how there could be a big problem, the nubs and other protection seem pretty robust.

phattie @ Sep 24th 2007 8:15PM

I would be pretty pissed if i waited 3 years for a game, preordered it, waited in line till midnight, took time off work.. only to have the disc scratched!

How are you going to return it once youve opened the case.

Bidoof Protection Military @ Sep 24th 2007 8:23PM

Most retailers allow even exchanges - returning your software for another copy of the exact thing.

And if the product is shown to be defective, even before leaving the store, a refund is possible, too.

Viridium @ Sep 24th 2007 8:43PM

What about this thread on the Bungie forums that alleges that this "rumor" was 100% fabricated?

http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13117795

Anticrawl @ Sep 24th 2007 8:56PM

We'll the rumors are true. I have a buddy from L.A. and got his from a "gamestore" early this past thursday and hist was a legendary. The actual game disc was only a little scuffed but the extras disc was pretty messed up. They were both loose but he hasn't really complained much since they both work and he got it early. He has pics posted from all angles and one from the mirror, like 10 or so in all for proof just to warn customers to check their disc before they leave. I'll post a link if I can get in touch with him soon.

Anticrawl @ Sep 24th 2007 8:57PM

Eh I meant his limited edition, the 70 dollar one.

Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 25th 2007 9:37AM

"It was obviously the work of the SDF..."

LMAO

WOW!!! What a bunch of little bitches. Sorry, not even the mighty SDF can get in a shrink wraped dvd case and scratch the discs. Don't blame the SDF for you cheap ass choice in dvd cases douche bag!!!

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 24th 2007 9:22PM

that sucks. hopefully it's not too widespread

at least the story's out before the game is released, so some retailers should be prepared

LAZoftheTamarinds @ Sep 24th 2007 9:45PM

This must suck. You get your copy, realize it is scratched, put inside 360 anyways, and it doesn't play. You can't finish the fight like that.
Something similar happened to me like that years ago. I went to gamestop and bought Star Wars Rouge squadron II and when I came out of the store I noticed it was out of place and badly scratched. They didn't want to refund my money because they said I did it. But my dad later went there and got my money back. :)

Aaron @ Sep 24th 2007 10:21PM

confirmed halo 3 sucks!

horngreen @ Sep 24th 2007 10:23PM

Hell you can't get them out unless you hold them the right way. Unless of course they are already loose and flying about in there. I'm glad my copy will be in the good old plastic case for $10 less. I'm not sure how the biggest game release in history can include ANY kind of a "limited" edition. I don't know how many limited and legendary editions they made but I'll bet they will be easy to find if you want them.

Victor Godinez @ Sep 24th 2007 11:26PM

I reviewed the limited edition version, and my disc was loose when I opened the box.

Another reviewer I know had the same problem, and his disc was pretty scratched (although still playable).

http://punchbutton.beloblog.com/archives/2007/09/halo_3_limited.html

Dirf @ Sep 24th 2007 11:38PM

What is annoying is that Bungie "looked into it" and wrote it off as Sony fanboys trying to ruin their launch.

Now they find out that it is true. Wows.

Hopefully they shipped enough spares to cover the scratched discs. Stores are required by law (In the USA anyways) to replace or refund defective items on the spot.

Handy Manny @ Sep 25th 2007 12:26AM

HERE is a Story.

Back in 04 when halo 2 came out i was the first to get the game during the midnight launch at my local gaming store. WELL the Disk didnt work. So I know the frustration thous guys are going through. Keep your heads up.

Ray @ Sep 25th 2007 12:40AM

Just got back. 12:20pm EST. We had to open SEVEN limited editions until we found a non-scratched game disc. While we were opening the seven games, someone called in saying that their game was scratched would not play. I am glad I opened mine at the store.

I am not usually a GameStop fan. However, the manager was very cool about it. They said they were warned that this may be a large issue. They were told to swap out the regular edition game disc if necessary. The only issue with this would be that the artwork on the game disc is different in the Limited Edition.

Great customer service at the Cherry Hill, NJ (by Wegman's) GameStop. I will definitely consider shopping there again.

M.H. Williams @ Sep 25th 2007 12:59AM

I confirm that it's true. I checked my limited edition in-store. The guy a couple spots ahead of me in line had the issue, as did I. No biggie, just turned around and told the Gamestop employee our issue. Both of our second copies were fine.

james @ Sep 25th 2007 1:41AM

i live in southern ohio (for college, i feel i should explain cuz southern ohio sucks) and picked up my halo 3 at the walmart on SR 664 in Logan. i decided to check joystiq on my phone to kill the time and saw this post, so i told everyone in line to check their copies. so 12:01 rolls around and i get a special edition...and it's all scuffed up, so i return it for a 2nd one, which turns out to be even more screwed up than the first. meanwhile everyone else was opening and returning their copies, so i just gave up and grabbed a normal copy. i guess i didn't need to spend the extra $10 anyway, as i should save that for food and rent and the like.

but yea, totally lame.

legios @ Sep 25th 2007 1:58AM

Thank God for Joystiq.
I read this report on my way home after waiting in line for an hour at Best Buy. I pulled over the car and opened the box...and voila...scratched game disk.

I drove back to Best Buy and showed them the problem. They then proceeded to open 11 more limited editions and they all had the same scratch problem. They eventually gave me a game disk from the regular edition. (My essentials disk was scratch free, but many of the other ones they opened were not).

Way to go guys, you probably saved me a whole day of being pissed off.

By the way, I couldn't believe how cool the staff was being at Best Buy. They are usually my least favorite people to deal with, but they were exceptionally cool all night. They even gave out free Halo ball caps. I'll never wear it, but it was cool nonetheless.

Farseer @ Sep 25th 2007 2:20PM

Likewise - thanks Joystiq!

I picked up a limited ed. today at Target over my lunch break, and had just read this article - sure enough, I asked to open the package at the register, and upon doing so, found a loose, scratched game disc.

I lightly shook the remaining 5 on the shelf until I found a copy that didn't have a loose disc.

Seriously Bungee, you have the most anticipated game of the year, and you skimp on the QC? The case is obviously faulty and could have been easily corrected after running a few standard tests.

Again, thank you Joystiq - had I not read this article before buying my copy, I'd be pretty upset tonight.

Ska Oreo @ Sep 25th 2007 3:08AM

Sure enough, after reading this article, I checked my limited edition disc and also found scratches, though they were pretty small. Also I played the game before I had even read this article, and it ran smoothly and gave me no problems. But do you guys think I should still see if I can get one that isn't scratched up? Just in case?