Modern Warfare 3 'Hardened Edition' unboxing

We take a closer look at the 'Hardened' edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and examine whether or not the $99 asking price is worth the price of admission.

Shack Staff

November 7, 2011 10:30 AM

It's a safe bet that the most hardcore fans of Call of Duty are waiting in line for tomorrow's launch of Modern Warfare 3. While our sleeping bags were just about to be pulled from our dusty attics, Activision dropped the 'Hardened Edition' of the game off at our Los Angeles office. At $99--and very "limited" availability--the 'Hardened Edition' is the only special version of the upcoming title (previous games also received a $150 'Elite' version). Is it worth the price of admission? The over-sized Xbox 360 version of the Modern Warfare 3 'Hardened Edition' includes a steelbook case, featuring the game; a metal 'Call of Duty Elite' founder membership card, giving players access to 'Founder bonuses'; a code to one year of 'Elite' service, including access to future DLC; Xbox Live Avatar gear; and a snazzy 'Field Journal,' featuring over 100 pages of content. All 'Hardened' edition owners gain 'Founder' status, which includes a unique weapon camo, exclusive in-game status, clan XP boost, and more. It really is an edition built for the "hardcore" and not just anyone looking to play the game online.

Each element of the 'Hardened Edition' is tightly packed in an over-sized box.

The 'Field Journal' includes photos, newspaper clippings, and more telling the story from the perspective of a 22nd SAS Regiment solider.

The back of the 'Founder' card and pamphelet features a number of one-use codes for bonus items and one year of 'Elite' service.

It's a solid package for fans looking to purchase it in stores tomorrow as well as those that were in attendance at Call of Duty XP, which will receive the version for free (if they remembered to register the code provided at the event).

Shack Staff

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November 7, 2011 10:30 AM

Shack Staff posted a new article, Modern Warfare 3 'Hardened Edition' unboxing.

We take a closer look at the 'Hardened' edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and examine whether or not the $99 asking price is worth the price of admission.
- Dravenport
  
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  November 7, 2011 10:48 AM
  
  hmmm, if they try to upgrade me I'll prolly bite
- Korban
  
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  November 7, 2011 11:17 AM
  
  seriously...? now even shacknews is doing unboxing articles?
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrdHe__tt3U&hd=1
  - RetroRedEyeJr
    
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    November 7, 2011 3:17 PM
    
    Yeah i never understood why somebody would want to watch somebody else open up a toy.
    That video was pretty funny though.
  - jellyrabbit
    
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    November 7, 2011 10:11 PM
    
    who is shackstaff? interns at gamefly?
    - shirif
      
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      November 7, 2011 10:11 PM
      
      Gegtick.
- PointlesS76
  
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  November 7, 2011 11:17 AM
  
  Oh weird, didn't realize how limited this actually was. It's sold out everywhere.
  - IHATEDUST
    
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    November 7, 2011 12:36 PM
    
    Gamestop is still taking online orders, but I don't know if they actually have any. They will ship on Nov. 8th.
    - PointlesS76
      
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      November 7, 2011 2:29 PM
      
      Only for 360 version it seems :(
    - OzzieMejia
      
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      November 7, 2011 4:38 PM
      
      I walked into a Gamestop about three weeks ago and asked about this and they said the Hardened Edition was sold out nationwide. Of course, they also told me a few minutes later that the Collector's Editions of Batman: Arkham City and Assassin's Creed: Revelations were also sold out nationwide, so this might just be a case of Gamestop having extremely limited numbers. You might have a good shot at finding this at Best Buy on day one.
- Shyssiryxius
  
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  November 7, 2011 2:22 PM
  
  THIS is how limited editions should be *cough* Skyrim *cough*
- zerothehitman
  
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  November 7, 2011 2:53 PM
  
  hey guys not 80 it is 99
  - XAVdeMATOS
    
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    November 7, 2011 2:55 PM
    
    Thanks for pointing this out. Our mistake.
- riptyde
  
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  November 7, 2011 2:58 PM
  
  If Elite typically costs $50 a year, and you can get game + a year of elite membership for $99, it seems like a no-brainer if you were planning on paying for Elite.
- razor851
  
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  November 7, 2011 10:10 PM
  
  No one cares.
  - [deleted] 339814024
    
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    November 7, 2011 10:11 PM
    
    [deleted]