Microsoft Corp’s Video Game -“Halo 3”outdid all the video games, and movies and set an opening-day U.S sales record of $170 million. “Halo 3” overcame even movies such as Spider-Man 3 -$59 million, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', and ”Halo 2” too-$125 million, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst, Michael Pachter estimates that 2.5 million copies were sold starting with midnight store promotions coast to coast, meaning one-fifth of all Xbox 360 owners bought a copy in the first 24 hours. "I would guess that the number is 1 million higher in a week, and double by year end."





GameStop's Bob McKenzie calls Halo 3 the biggest title in the history of the 4,400-store chain. And Best Buy's Brian Lucas says: "It's safe to say Halo 3 is on track to be probably the biggest gaming title that we have ever seen. It's definitely a phenomenon."

"Halo 3" is targeted firmly at the Xbox's core male audience, for whom realistic combat games are a staple.

Halo 3 is launched in 37 countries and is available in 17 languages. It retails for around $60.

In the last 20 hours over 1,7 million copies were pre-ordered in the US.