If you have been waiting to buy Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, and if you happen to live near a Microsoft retail store in the US, you might be interested in attending some launch night parties to celebrate the launch of the revamped first person shooter. Microsoft has announced plans via Facebook to offer Halo fans a chance to not only buy the Xbox 360 game at their stores at midnight tonight but to get some extra swag and some early playtime with the game.
If you head to your local Microsoft retail store starting at 10 pm local time tonight and are among the first 100 people in line you will get a grab bag of items, including a limited edition Grunt Plushy, the perfect gift for Halo fans who also love stuffed creatures. The stores will also feature multiplayer matches in the new version of the classic 2001 shooter. Microsoft also promises snacks, Monster Energy drinks and more Halo themed activities at its retail stores.
Linking big Xbox 360 game releases to its Microsoft store locations is certainly a good idea for Microsoft and as the number of its retail stores increases you can expect to see more and more major Xbox 360 games get this same kind of treatment. That will likely include the launch of Halo 4, which is due for release in the fall of 2012.
Also, stick around for our very own Halo CE Anniversary review, which is due out really soon.