Are you ready?  I doubt it.  Here’s a guide to help you dot the I’s and cross the T’s before Halo: Reach drops.  We all know what we are doing this week, more specifically between 12:01 am September 14th and the moment we take control of Noble 6 and start handing the Covenant their ascots in a bucket.  I, however, thought you might want to know what to do until you actually lay hands on Halo: Reach.

As most of you know this is a prequel so past game knowledge isn’t the key to success.  Refreshing yourself on the control set, stocking the snacks, finding the best pre-order deal, and prepping your schedule for gaming time may be a different story.  Unless of course being completely rusty and unprepared is “your thang”.

The rest of us will be ready thanks to the 3 P’s – Preparation, Perspiration, and Pilex!  Hit the break to take a look at my personal guide to success with Halo: Reach.

Now we are down to just 2+ days before the launch of what is probably the largest title of the year and I bet you haven’t cut your grass.  Rookie mistake.  Lemme give you all a little advice that applies to all of our readers.  Get your housework done.  No one can tell you to “stop playing that video game and take out the trash” if the trash is already at the corner.

So whatever applies to you,  do it whether it’s cutting grass, cleaning your room, doing the dishes, or walking the dog. Get it done Monday.  You don’t have to tell anyone why you’re doing it.  It will earn you some extra brownie points when you suddenly disappear for the the 12 hour Halo marathon you’re about to embark upon.

When you finally get the game and the online onslaught has begun, don’t neglect your body my friends.  Pre-stock plenty of snacks and drinks.  I know you’ll be bombarded with Mountain Dew and Doritos ads while getting your copy of Halo but don’t go one dimensional.

Mt. Dew is great for keeping you awake but not the best thirst quencher.  I recommend a nice mix of water, sports drinks, and caffeinated soda/coffee.  As far as the munchies go, you gotta have a nice mix of sugars and salts and don’t forget some healthy treats to keep your body and brain working at peak levels.

My usual arsenal includes gummi bears (Haribo), pretzel rods, peanuts, bananas and carrots.  You’ll work out yours but remember those sugars and starches give you instant “fake” energy but it’s the peanuts, bananas and carrots that will give you the stamina you need for a monster session.

Refreshing yourself with the control set this weekend can’t hurt either.  There will be tons of Halo fanboys killin’ it at tournies and priming their skills right up until launch so don’t roll out like a noob.  Act like ya been there before homeboy.  Play a few refresher games so you’re not on the mic asking your teammates how to switch weapons.

And finally get yourself the best deal for you.   Every store is running some promotion to get you into their store.  There are plenty of options at midnight on the 14th as well as plenty of options for those of you that aren’t in a hurry.  I will list as many deals and events as I can find and you can judge for yourself where you will spend your hard earned dollars.  The midnight parties will be plentiful and may be subject to area so I would recommend giving your desired party place a call to confirm the festivities ahead of time.

Best Buy New York – Don’t miss out on this amazing Halo: Reach Launch Event at the new Best Buy Theater in Times Square (1515 Broadway at W. 44th) on Monday, September 13, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. I also heard there would be  live entertainment from a surprise performer.  The event includes:

• Midnight sale of the game at the Best Buy Theater
• The chance to meet Halo: Reach developers and get your game autographed
• Halo giveaways and prizes, including (while supplies last) an exclusive Halo: Reach comic

Best Buy Seattle – The Experience Music Project / Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame will host folks from both Bungie and 343 Industries, as well as a chance to compete in tournaments and win “coveted Halo prizes.”

Amazon – Order Halo Reach and get $20 off a future video game purchase. T he promotion code will be applied directly to your Amazon.com account up to two (2) business days after your product ships. To redeem your reward, add a Video Games item sold and shipped by Amazon.com to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. The discount will be visible after you have begun the checkout process. Additionally, you’ll receive access to an exclusive in-game Spartan Recon helmet variant. The code to access the helmet will be included in pack when your game ships. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. This offer will be extended to all existing pre-orders. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time. Offer valid for one purchase per customer.

Here’s how (restrictions apply) ,Shipping charges for Release-Date Delivery vary by item and are displayed on the order confirmation page after you select Release-Date Delivery as your shipping option. Release-Date Delivery is free for Amazon Prime members.

Best Buy – For a limited time, you can get a free $20 gift card with the stand-alone game, one of the collectible special editions, or the Halo: Reach Xbox 360 console bundle.

RUMOR UPDATE - Individual Best Buys will also each have 120 Halo:Reach T-Shirts, 100 inflatable Energy Swords and a free hat for in store Pre-orders.

Dell – I couldn’t find any pre-order goodies, but you can save 10 bux, the pricetag is $49.99

Gamestop/EB Games – Preorder Halo Reach and receive GameStop exclusive in-game UA Multi-Threat Mjolnir Mark V(B) Armor. While Mark V MJOLNIR armor is designed to operate in a wide variety of combat situations, the UA/Multi-Threat configuration provides Spartans with the most impact across all combat scenarios. The chestpiece’s lightweight design allows for maximum freedom of movement while standard MJOLNIR defense systems provide the resilience that helped make Spartans the stuff of legend.Pre-order Halo Reach and receive a token to download the exclusive in-game Spartan Recon helmet with the Visor/Blast Shield.

The helmet will be available for use in Halo: Reach’s campaign and multiplayer modes. Available online and in-store while supplies last..Pre-order Halo: Reach for a chance to win a life-sized Halo: Reach Spartan Soldier. Available for online and in-store customers only while supplies last. This offer is also Identical at Europe’s Play.com along with Halo Reach t-Shirts 25% off when bought with any Halo Reach Game.

KMart/Sears – Well it never surprises me but these geezers dropped the ball and have nothing going on at all.

Target – Get a free Halo Fathead Junior when you preorder Halo:Reach and free shipping on orders over $50.

Toys-R-Us – Purchase Halo: Reach and gain access to an exclusive, downloadable Spartan Recon helmet variant! Once reserved only for the most dedicated and decorated Spartans, the MJOLNIR Mark VI Recon armor variant was developed in the heart of ONI’s Ordnance Testing Facility B5D for high priority reconnaissance missions. Now, available exclusively via all initial copies of the game, the coveted Recon helmet with the Visor/Blast Shield (stowed) variant is available for use in Halo: Reach’s campaign and multiplayer modes.

With your purchase of Halo: Reach receive a token to download the exclusive Recon helmet. (While Supplies last)

Walmart – Halo Reach w/ Bonus $20 Walmart.com eGift Card Bundle includes: Halo Reach for Xbox 360 and a Bonus $20 Walmart.com eGift Card* Preorder now gain access to an exclusive, downloadable Spartan Recon helmet variant! Once reserved only for the most dedicated and decorated Spartans, the MJOLNIR Mark VI Recon armor variant was developed in the heart of ONI?s Ordnance Testing Facility B5D for high priority reconnaissance missions.

Now, available exclusively via all initial copies of the game, the coveted Recon helmet with the Visor/Blast Shield (stowed) variant is available for use in Halo: Reach?s campaign and multiplayer modes. Reserve you copy of Halo: Reach and pick up your copy on Launch Day and receive a token to download the exclusive Recon helmet. (While Supplies last)

Don’t see your favorite store?  Leave me a comment and I’ll try to update my list.