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BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft's "Halo 3" garnered an estimated 170 million U.S. dollars within 24 hours of release, making it the hottest selling title in video game history, IT media reports said Friday.

The total easily exceeded that of Halo 2, which brought in 125 million dollars in 2004. More than 1.7 million copies of the game were preordered in America, Microsoft said, and 1.4 million people had gone online to play it since its release on Tuesday morning.

The tally outpaced Microsoft's prediction of 150 million dollars. It also beat the all-time grossing box-office movie release "Spider-Man 3" which racked up 151 million dollars during its opening weekend in May.

Sales figures for Halo 3 were collected for the U.S. only, and the figure will likely stand much higher after Microsoft tallies results from overseas. Halo 3 was launched in 37 countries at midnight on Sept. 25 and is available in 17 languages. It retails for around 60 dollars.

In addition to helping Microsoft turn around its video game business, Halo 3 is regarded as a crucial component in the company's race against Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co.

Through August, Microsoft sold 6.3 million Xbox 360s in the U.S. compared with 1.75 million PlayStation 3s for Sony and 4 million Wiis for Nintendo, according to market research firm NPD Group.

(Agencies)