Halo 2 finally joins Xbox 'Platinum Hits' collection

by Scott Jon Siegel { Feb 11th 2008 at 1:30PM }

As one of the strongest titles in the Xbox library, Bungie's Halo 2 has been notably absent from Microsoft's "Platinum Hits" series, which features high-selling games at reduced prices a few years after their release. Now, it seems that Halo 2 has finally gone "platinum," with the required ugly box art remix, and an expected price drop down to $19.99 USD. Said ugly box art remix was recently added to Microsoft's press site.

Currently priced at $29.99, Halo 2's inception into the Platinum Hits would certainly be a good thing in terms of price. The bad side? The slick cover art of Master Chief has been cropped to make way for all the Platinum Hits gobbledeegook, and includes a big ugly inset reminding everyone that it's the "Best Selling Xbox Game Ever." The new box also reminds players that Halo 2 is playable on 360 (provided you have a hard drive).

If you have yet to pick up this modern classic, the price drop certainly makes it a good time to reconsider a purchase. When this beauty hits brick-and-mortar shelves, though, we recommend hunting down the old-box versions and requesting the new lower price. Nothing says "uncool" like owning the "greatest hits" version.

[Update: Microsoft has confirmed the news. An official announcement is forthcoming.]

Tags: bungie, halo-2, halo2, microsoft, platinum-hits

Related From Joystiq

Bungie explains 'series of stumbles' in ODST marketing
21 days ago
inFamous becomes almost-Greatest Hits game, drops to $40
26 days ago
250gb Elite bundle with Halo 3 and ODST drops into Canada
28 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kendall B @ Feb 11th 2008 1:43PM

I agree. "Greatest Hits" editions are the bane of collectors worldwide.

My Greatest Hits version of Symphony of the Night bothers me a lot more than it should.

Nigeria @ Feb 11th 2008 1:44PM

Modern Classic?

Single player was a drag, especially when compared to its predecessor, and I don't think it's main feature, XBOX Live multiplayer, will be as much fun seeing as most Halo players would have migrated to Halo 3.

But you're right about one thing, that box art is horrid.

Stef Geiger @ Feb 11th 2008 1:47PM

I agree, as with all Halo games, the single player was completely lackluster. Actually, I don't get the appeal of the Halo games altogether. To each his own though.

I'm just kind of shocked that there's still ANY support for original xbox software seeing as it's been two years since Microsoft pretty much abandoned that user base.

Mr.ESC @ Feb 11th 2008 2:40PM

I disagree; Halo 3 single player was awesome.

In the case of Halo 2 well if you already have Halo 3 why do you need Halo 2? Also most Hardcore Halo players already have Halo 2.

Obie @ Feb 11th 2008 3:07PM

Agreed, the single player of H2 was garbage...the multi was good...except the times when I called a n****r and a f*g 1000000 times in proximity chat.

DangerMouse @ Feb 11th 2008 3:16PM

agreed. i only played the pc versions, but Halo 2 was so damn boring and frustrating. First, decreasing the ammo capacity was retarded, since i'd be running around half the time during crazy firefights looking for a weapon that didn't suck ass. There's other things that was missing that just made not as fun.

Skinnypupp @ Feb 11th 2008 1:46PM

Hmm I picked up both of these games in Akihabara for like $10 (brand new). IMO $20 each is too much.

Luke @ Feb 12th 2008 12:53AM

I want to visit Akihabara.

WhoMe @ Feb 11th 2008 1:46PM

This is why I dislike MS' console business. They fleece you at every opportunity. No doubt sales of this game hit an all time low and that this is just a way to boost 'em.

And it's not just on games but everything. From controllers to headsets to proprietary carbles 'n shit.

Scotto @ Feb 11th 2008 4:25PM

Yeah, who do they think they are, reducing the price of an older game in order to spur sales!

- Scott

konajinx @ Feb 11th 2008 1:52PM

People actually care about the box art to their games...boxes that basically either sit on a shelf or lying on a table or somewhere else near the console? Yeah, screw the game inside, the box art is what I'm paying for!

Seriously, I never understood this mindset, going all the way back to the green PS1 "greatest hits" titles. Does it actually matter that much? I can't say I look away in horror, or feel shame for my Platinum Hits copies of NFS Most Wanted or the original Fuzion Frenzy. The case gets opened, the game gets put in the 360 and played, and the case isn't thought about again until it's time to put the game back in it and back on the shelf.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 11th 2008 2:20PM

I have re-buyed several games, because I find the games later with the original cover, instead of the Freatest Hits, Platinum Hits, Players Choice labels.

I do care a lot for the boxes... I have all my boxes for every systems, I keep the receipts inside the bosex, I even have the packages of all my accesories, memory cards, controllers, even the packages of the Wii Points and Microsofot Point and Live cards.

I loe to collect that stuff...

TWIMTBP @ Feb 11th 2008 2:28PM

Fernando,
1) You churn out the most amazing typos
2) You have a lot of space in your house

Rususeruru @ Feb 11th 2008 2:31PM

silver cases just throw off my green case mojo and screw up the room's feng shui... but I'm kind of OCD about arranging those things by color...

Stef Geiger @ Feb 11th 2008 2:31PM

And.... WHY do you "loe" to collect that stuff?

What difference will it ever make that your copy of a game doesn't say "greatest hits"? Is it going to get you a better job, or land you a hot girlfriend? Unless you intend to one day sell your collection on ebay (or are sexually aroused by perfectionistic collecting), it doesn't matter one bit now, nor will it matter ten years from now. Games AREN'T ever going to be collectors items (well, the VAST majority won't) - these are mass-produced items. They're not first-run LPs of the white album.

Are there actually people out there who think that their first-run copy of Halo 2 is one day going to be worth more than it is now? There are litereally... what, over 10 MILLION identical copies floating around. It's no more a collector's item than my toothbrush.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 11th 2008 2:37PM

But I collect the things for me... for my person. I like to see my games without that stupid ugly boxes.

And Im not planning in sell my games... the other day I was cleaning the closet where I keep my stuff, and I saw the box of the expansion pak, I opened, and I saw the receipt... that day I purchased (acording to the receipt) the Expansion Pak and Smash Bros... good memories =)

jamma @ Feb 11th 2008 2:39PM

I loe bosex, it's the freastest

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 11th 2008 2:40PM

*I bouhgt Smash Bros and the Expansion Pak the release date... it was also my birthday, April 26.

Shiba @ Feb 11th 2008 5:47PM

lol Fernando you have a lot of garbage piling up in your house it seems.

I still have the box for systems like my NES, and I do actually keep receipts and stuff for really special games like the Collectors Edition RE4, but memory cards and shit? The box for your 360? Eh, I wouldn't bother keeping any boxes past the N64/Dreamcast/PSX/Saturn Era, gaming isn't really like that anymore, its kinda just like getting a new computer, and chucking it when the new one comes out with backwards compatibility, kind of a drag I know, theres no "magic" to it. Plus games tend to suck ass now, but thats a different story.

J @ Feb 11th 2008 1:57PM

I'm guessing this means we'll see it on Xbox originals soon. I wouln't be surprised if it was 1600 points instead of 1200, though.

Evan @ Feb 11th 2008 2:16PM

"Best Selling Xbox Game Ever"

The best selling Xbox game isn't even in the top 20 bestselling games on all consoles...
1. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green (Game Boy – 20.08 million)
2. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES – 18 million)
3. Nintendogs (DS – 17.79 million)
4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2 – 15 million)
5. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (PS2 – 14.87 million)
6. Pokémon Gold and Silver (Game Boy Color – 14.51 million)
7. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (DS – 14.17 million)
8. Super Mario Land (Game Boy – 14 million)
9. New Super Mario Bros. (DS – 13.14 million)
10. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (GBA – 13 million)
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2 – 12 million)
11. Grand Theft Auto III (PS2 – 12 million)
13. Brain Age (DS – 11.71 million)
14. Super Mario 64 (N64 – 11 million)
15. Gran Turismo (PS1 – 10.85 million)
16. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (GBA – 10.66 million)
17. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES – 10 million)
18. Brain Age 2 (DS – 9.841 million)
19. Final Fantasy VII (PS1 – 9.8 million)
20. Mario Kart DS (DS – 9.67 million)
(from wikipedia)

Rususeruru @ Feb 11th 2008 2:32PM

And the Xbox install base is how insignificant compared to those systems?

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 11th 2008 2:36PM

It should have at least done as well as Mario 64 for N64.

GANNONSMASH @ Feb 11th 2008 2:38PM

Your point is?

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 11th 2008 3:46PM

Obviously, that halo suxxors j0!

Not that I agree... much...

Halo is over-rated.

ThornedVenom @ Feb 11th 2008 8:54PM

I keep telling everyone that Pokemon rules the world, but nobody believes me!

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 12th 2008 3:22AM

i believe you Thorned Venom! hell i have all of them lol. my pokemans, let me show you dem!

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 11th 2008 2:16PM

I bought the Halo 2 Collectors Edition in December... $19.99 in the warehouse here in Laredo, Tx.

Draken Stark @ Feb 11th 2008 2:41PM

And my e-penus says I got mine for 5 bucks cause some guy had to pawn off his old Xbox. Some Pawn Shops dont have a clue what they are selling sometimes. Just bought it as the guy turned it in almost, good condition.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 11th 2008 2:45PM

but... but... mmm... mine was new!

=)

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 11th 2008 3:52PM

Your E-penis talks?

Must make cybersex creepy.

ThornedVenom @ Feb 11th 2008 8:53PM

"How many gamer points do you have?"
"However many you want it to have."

Mr.ESC @ Feb 11th 2008 2:38PM

Well you could do that or buy the Pc version with updated graphics and stuff.

Draken Stark @ Feb 11th 2008 2:48PM

That's if you already have Windows Vista. (For full compatibility of the software I mean. There are cracks for WinXP but they dont allow online play, which is the best thing about the game.)
So without Vista that makes the games pricetag about... ooh... 250$+ retail? I'd rather spend 19 bucks on the xbox version for the system I'd already have.

Fortunately I do have Vista and Halo 2 PC. I got Vista for free from my school while I was taking a Web Development course. I got Halo 2 PC off the shelf of wal*mart once I had a PC powerful enough to run it.

Sweet Tooth @ Feb 11th 2008 2:50PM

Meanwhile the Games For Windows version of Halo 2 remains $50. What the hell, Microsoft!

DangerMouse @ Feb 11th 2008 5:18PM

They're waiting for everyone to upgrade to vista first.

Mr.ESC @ Feb 11th 2008 5:26PM

"They're waiting for everyone to upgrade to vista first"

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!....Hahahaha haha,*rofl wait,wait hahahahaha!

I lol'd.

(I'm such a geek)

ThornedVenom @ Feb 11th 2008 8:55PM

Sadly enough, it was because of Vista that I started considering Linux.

sumdum_guy @ Feb 11th 2008 6:04PM

I bought this off Amazon during the last week of Jan. for 19.99. Thats the price now. Even though it still doesnt say GH at Amazon, I guess the price confirms it.

horngreen @ Feb 11th 2008 3:51PM

The problem with buying Halo 2 at this late date is the UTTER ASS WHOOPIN you will receive online. You'll be glad you only paid $20 after you toss it into the closet disgusted with getting owned on LIVE.

DWells55 @ Feb 11th 2008 4:02PM

The large majority of the people who still play the game suck. It's not a difficult game to get good at either.

DMeisterJ @ Feb 11th 2008 4:02PM

Now for the million dollar question. Who's going to buy this? Who had the original XBOX and didn't buy this game? And why have this game as a platinum hit, when it's sucessor came out? Maybe for the storyline, but it sucked. And multiplayer is better on it's sucessor also.

ThornedVenom @ Feb 11th 2008 8:57PM

I agree that it's sad that they kill box covers for promotions like these. But I guess that the game itself is all that matters.

jynxycat @ Feb 11th 2008 9:07PM

Fairly sure that Halo 2 and Halo 1 work in the 360 without any updates or hard drive attached.

We put in Halo 2 in the kiosk at Gamestop, which has no Xbox Live support, as well as those 360 kiosk HD's don't function at all like the normal ones (you can't save retail games to them). The game booted up fine, and played as normal.