Microsoft announced the most highly-anticipated details of its upcoming RTS title, Halo Wars. The game will release on March 3, 2009 in North America, though notably, it will be coming out a week earlier in Japan, Europe, and the rest of the world.

The game will be coming in two flavors--a standard $59.99 package, and a $79.99 Limited Collectors Edition that will include an in-game Wraith, a graphic novel, six collector's cards and a patch (the fabric kind, not the software kind). Limited Edition owners will also get to download "Halo 3" Mythic Map Pack before standard edition customers. Regardless of which version they pick, all pre-ordering customers will get an in-game Warthog with flame decals.

Imagine them with flames! Sweet...

Be sure to keep your eyes on GamePro, as we'll have plenty of intense Halo Wars coverage in the months leading up to this exiting title's release. The press release is below:

A New Chapter in the "Halo" Franchise, "Halo Wars," Available at U.S. Retailers on March 3

Get suited up and ready for deployment! On March 3, "Halo Wars," the action-based strategy game set in the iconic "Halo" universe and created exclusively for Xbox 360, will be available in stores nationwide. Internationally, "Halo Wars" will be available on the following dates:

*Japan and Asia Pacific: Feb. 26
* EMEA: Feb. 27
* Americas (US, Canada, Mexico and South America): March 3

Pre-orders for "Halo Wars" are taking place at participating retailers nationwide now. Fans who pre-order will receive an exclusive in-game Warthog with flame decals. The Limited Collector's Edition is also available and includes a special in-game "Honor Guard" Wraith, a graphic novel, six Leader cards and a "Spirit of Fire" patch. As an additional exclusive, LCE owners will get early access to the in-game "Halo 3" Mythic Map Pack for exciting new multiplayer action.

The Limited Collector's Edition retails for an estimated retail price of $79.99, while the standard edition is available at $59.99. A first for a "Halo" franchise game, "Halo Wars" is rated T for Teen.

More information on "Halo Wars"can be found online at www.Xbox.com/HaloWars or www.HaloWars.com.