KEY POINTS:
Halo 3, the blockbuster Xbox 360 game, sold over 10,000 copies in New Zealand on its first day.
This equates to over $1million in sales in 24 hours.
The Warehouse said it was the biggest gaming launch in the chain's 25-year history.
Harvey Norman experienced record pre-sale results, and Dick Smith Electronics said pre-order sales were triple that of its successful predecessor Halo 2.
Microsoft New Zealand Entertainment and Devices business director Frazer Scott says, "New Zealand was the first country in the world to receive Halo 3 when it was launched worldwide at 12.01am on Tuesday 25 September.
"Retailers across the country opened their doors at midnight to meet demand from fans - gamers were not going to risk missing out on Halo 3 and wanted to get their hands on it as soon as it hit the shelves."
Debby Stewart, buyer for Dick Smith Electronics, says, "We've never seen anything like it. Our day-one stocks were nearly completely sold out, and Halo 3 has broken DSE day-one launch records for any gaming title."
Halo 3 sold $US170millon ($NZ228m) in the United States in its first 24 hours - outstripping records set by Spiderman 3 and the final instalment in the Harry Potter series.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
