Xbox 360 Platinum Hits are numerous, cheap, rebranded

by Ben Gilbert { May 14th 2009 at 11:15AM }

This one's just about as confusing as it gets, folks, but here goes nothing. Microsoft is repackaging eight of its titles under a new moniker: "Greatness is Earned." Though these titles still fall into the Platinum Hits category (and as such, are priced at $19.99 and up), a number of them are receiving the treatment for the first time. And this is where things get confusing: We've seen the "Greatness is Earned" logo before, nearly a month ago now, on the repackaged Gears of War (Platinum Hits edition, mind you) ~~seen above~~. At the time, Microsoft wouldn't comment on the images.

Considering Viva Piñata and EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 are among them, we're doubting (and hoping) they won't all get the dark and brooding look. We've listed all eight titles after the break in for your perusal. We'd also like to point out that, while snooping around the Microsoft press site for images of these games, we noticed Halo 3 "Classics" in the "Upcoming Games" category -- the same note found next to all other Platinum Hits games. Interesting, hmm?

Update: We've replaced the image above with shots of the new "Greatness is Earned" pack shots of Gears of War, Forza 2 and Mass Effect. For giant shots, peep the gallery below!

Gallery: Greatness is Earned packaging

Gears of War (includes all DLC maps and Achievements)
Forza Motorsport 2
Mass Effect (includes Bring Down the Sky DLC)
Viva Piñata
Army of Two
Battlefield: Bad Company
Burnout Paradise
EA Sports Fight Night Round 3

[Thanks to everyone who sent in images!]

Tags: army-of-two, battlefield-bad-company, branding, burnout-paradise, ea-sports, fight-night-round-3, forza-motorsport-2, greatness-is-earned, mass-effect, microsoft, platinum-hits, viva-pinata

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

iFester @ May 14th 2009 11:24AM

I like the change. It's cleaner to the eye from a design perspective. I would purposely avoid the old Platinum Hits line because of the ugly covers. These I don't mind so much.

xFenixKnightx @ May 14th 2009 11:25AM

Agreed that looks way better.

Rhamsey @ May 14th 2009 11:56AM

I also think that these cases look nicer, but i remember having an argument with someone who refused to buy the platinum hits games because of their case. If your that annoyed by it, just print off a new case from online. Stores do it all the time.

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ May 14th 2009 12:35PM

i agree. these look much better from a design sense. that ugly frame on the old ones really didn't work for me.

XGM @ May 14th 2009 12:55PM

It does look better, but i just find the "Greatness is earned" pretty weird. If they wanted to show that its a good game why not put something like "This game is epic win".

sho220 @ May 14th 2009 3:22PM

yes, i agree on the avoidance of platinum hits because of their previous border. this is very nice though, i can get with it. and i like the slogan of 'greatness is earned'. yes indeed, i like this.

xFenixKnightx @ May 14th 2009 11:24AM

Forget about this, look here!!!!!

360 MGS4 topping Microsoft's E3 lineup?

http://www.gamespot.com/news/blogs/rumor-control/909119209/26879550/360-mgs4-next-gtaiv-dlc-topping-microsofts-e3-lineup.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;3

ZOMGWTFBBQ!!!!!! lol

Hyams @ May 14th 2009 11:57AM

Yeah, because a Twitter account set up by a random person no one has ever heard of, who offers no evidence at all (and indeed, repeatidly promises it, but never delivers it), and whose claims contradict common sense (picking up a review copy? don't they usually get sent to reviewers?) is hardly a credible source.

I can't believe how much coverage this has been getting. I'm just glad Joystiq didn't take it serisiouly.

I mean, really, I could start up a Twitter account right now, and make up loads of BS game 'leaks', and be taken seriously by gaming sites worldwide.

(Actually, I might just do this. Anyone got an ideas for 'leaks' I could post on it?)

xFenixKnightx @ May 14th 2009 12:11PM

It was a joke, bastards.

*sniff sniff* :'(

Hyams @ May 14th 2009 12:24PM

Needed more sarcasm.

xFenixKnightx @ May 14th 2009 12:26PM

Affirmative.

kanweil @ May 14th 2009 11:25AM

I like the new packaging. I personally hated the previous Platinum Hits packaging and refused to buy anything branded with it.

uncle jesse @ May 14th 2009 11:29AM

I need some help with this one.

Is Army of Two is worth it? And yes, I will obviously be playing this with a friend in co-op since it seems pointless otherwise.

So, what say you?

DiggyStyle @ May 14th 2009 12:11PM

I enjoyed it with a friend twice through the main story but never played multiplayer. If the game is $19.99 then I think it is worth a buy. If it is more, then rent it and you will be able to beat once or twice in 5 days depending on how much time you have to play.

Oh, and save up and "Pimp out" the good guns. You will thank me later.

Professor Lario @ May 14th 2009 12:26PM

Not worth it unless you already have the better co-op titles such as Crackdown, Halo3, the Rainbow Six games, etc...

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ May 14th 2009 12:40PM

i gut would say rent it. it was REALLY fun in co-op with my friend but everything else in the game wasn't up to par. and considering we beat the game in 2 sittings, i'd say a sub $10 rental would probably get all you need out of the title.

oh and it gets glitchy near the end so be prepared for some frustrations there.

uncle jesse @ May 14th 2009 1:08PM

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll hold off on this one then.

MarkHawk @ May 14th 2009 11:29AM

Look at you guys digging for hints at an upcoming Halo 3 Platinum version. Cute...

tenor77 @ May 14th 2009 11:53AM

Technically it's been a platinum hit since launch.

Anyway good to see more platinum hits, though I've been seeing Mass Effect for $10-15 for quite awhile now.

Shagittarius @ May 14th 2009 11:32AM

I have that same phrase tattooed right above my johnson.

DiggyStyle @ May 14th 2009 12:12PM

Numerous, Cheap and Rebranded?

Sweet tat!

Kamizar @ May 14th 2009 11:47AM

I'm actually not that confused. Clearly, they're talking about how being put on the platinum list is because of how great a game is, and that greatness is measured by sales.

Ben Gilbert @ May 14th 2009 11:55AM

The confusion I'm referring to is the bass ackwards way that Microsoft is going about rolling this out (as in, they "accidentally" released Gears of War in the new packaging a full month ago). Further confusing things is the fact that the rest of their Platinum Hits lineup isn't being given the same treatment. Even weirder? When I asked Microsoft about it (multiple times over the past month) they repeatedly rebuffed any questions with a no comment. No comment on something that we have pictures of? That clearly exists? That's being run by multiple outlets? Pretty confusing to me!

WiredKnight @ May 14th 2009 12:40PM

Sales, i.e. Earnings.

Brucie_K @ May 14th 2009 11:55AM

Platinum Hits > Classics.

This design looks much more cooler.

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 14th 2009 12:00PM

Yeah that was what I was about to post...GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

With the new label Gears of war cover looks better than the original.It gives you the impression is a platinum hit rather than a cheap game.

capt_carl @ May 14th 2009 12:08PM

Looks like I have a reason to pick up Viva Piñata and Gears of War. Maybe Burnout Paradise again since it went missing when I loaned it to someone...

Devin @ May 14th 2009 12:16PM

Bad Company is sweat game!

WiredKnight @ May 14th 2009 12:41PM

...you don't get out much, do you?

Ralph @ May 14th 2009 12:53PM

yes. It is full of perspiration.

Adam Archer @ May 14th 2009 10:35PM

thanks HEAVENS i wasn't the only one who thought so...

Xbox Fan @ May 14th 2009 1:39PM

Finally will be easier to repurchase Forza 2.

Alex @ May 14th 2009 2:56PM

"Greatness is Earned"?
What the hell are you? Berghaus?

Alex @ May 14th 2009 2:57PM

Cock. That's the first double post I've ever done. Vote down the first one... It has a typo.

joey @ May 14th 2009 3:24PM

are these games 19.99 or 29.99 American?

vahdyx @ May 14th 2009 4:12PM

I think they should have added (in front of Greatness is Earned) "Achievement Unlocked:"

Keep it Xbox'y you know?

What do you think?

Ghaleon @ May 14th 2009 4:17PM

Is this really something to argue or care about

carg0 @ May 14th 2009 4:19PM

Battlefield Bad Company?

what is that POS title doing on the list?

Playing Mantis @ May 18th 2009 5:46PM

I might actually consider purchasing platinum hits now. The original 360 PH design made the games look like some generic value software, not something worth your money.

This is much better than it was (but still not as good as the Platinum Hits on original Xbox).