Microsoft has unveiled the Xbox One Limited Edition Halo 5: Guardians bundle, which includes a Halo-themed Xbox One gaming console and a digital copy of the highly-anticipated next installment of the popular futuristic shooter franchise, Halo 5: Guardians.

The newly announced bundle is now up for preorder for interested gamers for US$499. The bundle will be released on October 20, which is a week before the official release of Halo 5: Guardians on October 27.

The unit included in the bundle is a limited edition 1TB Xbox One console in a metallic blue color scheme, with the design inspired by Spartan Locke's armor and the military symbols of the Halo universe. The console also has customized sound effects that can be found within the game.

The customized wireless controller included in the bundle features a similar design as the gaming console and has a 3.5mm headset jack. Gamers that are fans of the franchise's main character, Master Chief, will need to shell out another $70 for a green-and-gold controller inspired by Master Chief's armor.

"We really wanted to start to bring sort of this Spartan technology and these identities altogether into a piece that would still look sexy in the living room," said 343 Industries Halo Entertainment studio head Kiki Wofkill.

In addition to the digital copy of Halo 5: Guardians, gamers will also receive limited edition content such as a Spartan-themed SteelBook, the Warzone REQ Bundle that unlocks several weapons, armors, skins and assassination animations for the Warzone multiplayer mode, the entire Halo: The Fall of Reach animated series, a metallic Guardian model by Metal Earth, a copy of the classified orders issued to Spartan Locke, dossier's for the warring factions of the Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris, and a 14-day trial for the Xbox Live Gold network.

343 Industries recently revealed that Halo 5: Guardians will be definitely bigger than Halo 4, addressing one of the biggest complaints against the fourth installment of the franchise and the first one developed by 343 Industries.

"It's definitely, definitely bigger. And for some of the players in this audience, the games do seem to be getting shorter, but that's because you're getting much, much, much better at the game as well. And if you're like me, you're going to grab a Warthog and drive it places it's not supposed to go," said Halo franchise development director Frank O'Connor.