April 2^nd, 2004 (12:00am) - Microsoft Corp. today announced a pairing of epic proportions: a limited-edition retail special featuring the Xbox and all-time Xbox best-seller Halo for only $169.* Shipping to U.S. retailers April 13, the coveted combo features a special Halo-branded, green Xbox console and Halo jeweled controller with a copy of the game. However, only the best and brightest - or at least the fastest - fans will taste the glory: Just 200,000 of the boxed sets are available.

"This special offer lets video gamers with Halo envy easily and affordably adopt Xbox," said Bill Nielsen, director of U.S. marketing for Xbox at Microsoft. "We expect collectors, as well as those who have been waiting for the right time to purchase their Xbox system, to jump at this unique opportunity."

Hailed as "absolutely brilliant" by Electronic Gaming Monthly, Halo is a futuristic odyssey that challenges players to save humankind from extermination by aliens. Developed exclusively for Xbox by Bungie Studios, part of Microsoft Game Studios, the game has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and spawned a legion of powerful devotees who participate in competitions, tournaments and game nights. The highly anticipated Halo 2 will be released in fall 2004 and will change the Xbox experience as gamers currently know it.