Record-breaking 1.5m Halo 2 pre-orders

By Tom Bramwell Published 20 October, 2004

All so desperate for a Halo.

Microsoft has announced that pre-orders for Xbox-exclusive title Halo 2 have passed 1.5 million in the United States alone, breaking videogame records and guaranteeing first-day revenues higher than any movie in history.

Over 6,500 stores in the USA are planning to open at 12.01 AM on the morning of Tuesday, November 9th, to sell copies of the game, with the first retail copy set to be distributed at midnight in the Toys 'R' Us store in New York's Times Square.

Additionally, 1,125 further retailers worldwide are planning celebration events for the launch of the game - which will take place between November 9th and November 11th in every Xbox territory, covering 27 countries with seven different language versions.

Anticipation for the sequel to the biggest-selling Xbox game ever doesn't appear to have been dulled by the release of a pirate version onto the Internet last week - a move which has mainly been greeted with outrage by fans of the game.

"Halo 2 is expected to be the biggest 24 hours for a video game title in retail history," boasted Microsoft's VP of worldwide publishing and marketing for Xbox, Peter Moore, in a statement this week, "and is projected to bring in more revenue than any day one box office blockbuster movie in the United States."

The original Halo, which was also Xbox-exclusive originally but was later released on PC and Mac platforms, has now sold over five million units worldwide and is still a regular entry in the monthly top ten sales charts in North America.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Thamuhacha #1 7 years ago

    1.5 million times $60 (RRP in the US I think) = $90,000,000

    Is that bigger than any movie in the US? Day one maybe, but the opening weekend will be not much bigger.

    Either way ... it's not bad. I still think that San Andreas will do more globally ...

  • Blerk #2 7 years ago

    Not really surprising, but well done Bungie! Now we just have to hope it lives up to the hype, eh?

  • JDub #3 7 years ago

    According to one of the online movie sites, only 3 movies have ever beat $90m in their opening weekend...let alone the first day. I would say that was pretty good... :)

  • JC #4 7 years ago

    It does, does it?

  • APR #5 7 years ago

    Yeah, but no one pays $60 to see a movie...

  • Tiger_Walts #6 7 years ago

    You've never been to a Leicester Square cinema have you?

  • Clive_Dunn #7 7 years ago

    Yeah, but how many people actually take up their pre-orders, I've got a feeling its only around 30% or so.

  • Lutz #8 7 years ago

    Well, almost all teh online ones will be taken up, and I think a lot of pre-orders are taken up, especially for AAA titles...

  • Thamuhacha #9 7 years ago

    >You've never been to a Leicester Square cinema have you?

    LOL.

    I think a very high percentage of the pre-orders will be taken up for this.

    The timing is also vital. This game will sell Xboxes, increasing install bases for the Christmas season. So I am guessing that there will be enough stock to keep everyone happy too. Expect more MS press releases in the coming weeks ...

  • Psi #10 7 years ago

    ^ or if it's starwars times that by ten



    and action figures

  • Lucy #11 7 years ago

    And then they'll royally piss off the new Xbox owners by announcing the new one in January. Bad move.

  • Peekaboo #12 7 years ago

    I might just wait for the PC version this time around ;-)

  • IronGiant #13 7 years ago

    It's a surefire 8/10 ;)

  • joephish #14 7 years ago

    A lot more than any movie perhaps, but what about games? Does it break all the records for games?

  • ssuellid #15 7 years ago

    joephish its says so in the first paragraph.

  • Thamuhacha #16 7 years ago

    >Does it break all the records for games?

    Not all of them. Bear in mind that the only country where an Xbox title could break any records (other than fastest selling Xbox game) is the US.

  • Blerk #17 7 years ago

    Should be a nice test of Xbox Live - all those hundred of thousands of Halo 2 players running home on the same day and all trying to connect at the same time! :-)

  • Lutz #18 7 years ago

    Erm... Thamuhacha it HAS broken the records...

  • Decoded #19 7 years ago

    "It's a surefire 8/10"

    Speaking of records, please give it an 8, EG. It'll be the most entertaining comments thread ever :D

  • Thamuhacha #20 7 years ago

    >Erm... Thamuhacha it HAS broken the records...

    Nope. It is the "most pre-ordered game in US sales history" and will almost certainly become the "fastest selling game in US history".

    In Europe, an unfeasable percentage of all Xbox owners would need to pre-order it to get the same record.

  • space_ace #21 7 years ago

    this pre-order is better than halo

  • Lutz #22 7 years ago

    Ahh... I thought it was worldwide, not just US.

  • Lucy #23 7 years ago

    Please EG, give it a 7!

  • Lutz #24 7 years ago

    BawJaws: first question, probably, yes.
    Second question: You can't be 100% sure, but simplygames do have a habit of getting stuff out early. One regular got Outrun 2 4 days before it was due to hit the streets.
    If you do use them be sure to click on the link from EG, help support the site. :)

  • jiroczech #25 7 years ago

    I think an 8 is quite likely.

    Are EG planning on doing some thorough Live testing for their review?

  • Lutz #26 7 years ago

    Yeah, it's not much, but we like to call it our home whilst in work. ;)

  • dadrester #27 7 years ago

    wonder if it'll be the highest grossing game... i reckon gta will pip it to the post in terms of total sales. if my memory serves me correctly vice city is the second best selling game of all time... ever, and that's only after 2 years. still i could easily be wrong

  • Daryoon #28 7 years ago

    I don't think Vice City is anywhere near the biggest selling videogame of all time :/

    *checks*

    1) Super Mario Bros. (NES) - 40 Million
    2) Tetris (Game Boy) - 33 Million
    3) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) 18 Million
    4) Super Mario World (SNES) - 17 Million
    5) Super Mario Land (Game Boy) - 14 Million
    6) Super Mario 64 (N64) - 11 Million
    7) The Sims (PC) - 10 Million
    8) Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) - 10 Million
    9) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2) - 8.5 Million
    10) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (PS1) - 8 Million
    11) GoldenEye (N64) - 8 Million
    12) Donkey Kong Country (SNES) - 8 Million
    13) Super Mario Kart (SNES) - 8 Million
    14) Pokemon Red/Blue (Game Boy) - 8 Million
    15) Half-Life (PC) - 8 Million
    16) Tomb Raider II (PS1) - 8 Million
    17) Final Fantasy VII (PS1) - 7.8 Million
    18) Myst (PC) - 7 Million
    19) Gran Turismo 3 (PS2) - 7 Million
    20) Dragon Warrior VII (PS1) - 6 Million

  • Lutz #29 7 years ago

    10) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (PS1) - 8 Million

    That's a friggin joke right?

    Where you getting that info Daryoon?

  • dadrester #30 7 years ago

    i knew smb was number 1 but i was sure vc was 2. oh well.

  • Daryoon #31 7 years ago

    I don't know where the original list comes from, but that one is pasted all over the internet. There are probably a few inaccuracies, for example I know for a fact Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire should be on there, as it sold around 5-6 million in Japan alone. SMB3 is definately the biggest selling non-bundle game ever though.

    Halo is around 4 million.
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/04 @ 14:08

  • Peekaboo #32 7 years ago

    Yaz -By then I may have finished the fecking huge pile of games still sitting on my games shelf waiting to be opened let alone played......;-)

  • Lutz #33 7 years ago

    Halo 1 has JUST peaked 5 million. JUST. Like, 5,000,010 copies sold. ;)

  • Feanor #34 7 years ago

    Thamuhacha, Halo 2 costs US $50 for the standard version and US $55 for the metal box one.

  • Thamuhacha #35 7 years ago

    >Thamuhacha, Halo 2 costs US $50 for the standard version and US $55 for the metal box one.

    Cheers.

    Those global figures are a little misleading as they don't break it down by full price and budget sales. Or bundles.

    Also, for example, Half Life figures include the PS2 version and (I think) CS.
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/04 @ 14:49

  • Peekaboo #36 7 years ago

    /TBL puts Northy down for the good of the human race

    "Sorry people, he's just too dumb to be allowed to mate"

    ;-)

  • steven #37 7 years ago

    1) Super Mario Bros. (NES) - 40 Million
    2) Tetris (Game Boy) - 33 Million
    3) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) 18 Million
    4) Super Mario World (SNES) - 17 Million
    5) Super Mario Land (Game Boy) - 14 Million
    6) Super Mario 64 (N64) - 11 Million
    7) The Sims (PC) - 10 Million
    8) Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) - 10 Million
    9) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2) - 8.5 Million
    10) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (PS1) - 8 Million
    11) GoldenEye (N64) - 8 Million
    12) Donkey Kong Country (SNES) - 8 Million
    13) Super Mario Kart (SNES) - 8 Million
    14) Pokemon Red/Blue (Game Boy) - 8 Million
    15) Half-Life (PC) - 8 Million
    16) Tomb Raider II (PS1) - 8 Million
    17) Final Fantasy VII (PS1) - 7.8 Million
    18) Myst (PC) - 7 Million
    19) Gran Turismo 3 (PS2) - 7 Million
    20) Dragon Warrior VII (PS1) - 6 Million

    Thats dated since Rockstar recently announced that sales of GTA 3 and GTA:VC were 10.5M and 11.5M respectively. So vice city places mmuch higher than that position.

  • Daryoon #38 7 years ago

    Does that include Xbox sales though, because if you use multi-formats then the chart would be radically different in areas.

  • MBar #39 7 years ago

    hmmm, that list is quite mario-y at the top. woo to fat Italian plumbers then.

    no zelda in there?

    / looks a bit surprised at that

  • Thamuhacha #40 7 years ago

    >Does that include Xbox sales though, because if you use multi-formats then the chart would be radically different in areas.

    Yeah ... I have some doubts about a few things here. Specifically, there should be more Pokemon titles in that list, and I know for a fact that more titles than that have broken 6 mill ...

    And the sims is a joke since it is really about 10 titles. Unless that 10mill figure is just the main game ... which is unlikely.
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/04 @ 16:36

  • chronom4n #41 7 years ago

    some sell it @ $60 some will sell it cheaper. then work out the math. here in the uk, full retail is what? £45 or thereabouts and then simply games will sell it for about £33 or whatever it is. Only then will the full cost of HALO2 be revealed.
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/04 @ 16:35

  • Lutz #42 7 years ago

    Yes. Twice. :)

  • yegon #43 7 years ago

    Same here :)

    One tin, and one normal....I've got two Xbox's and I'm especially happy happy now I know System Link Co-op is *deffo* in there.

  • steven #44 7 years ago

    "Does that include Xbox sales though, because if you use multi-formats then the chart would be radically different in areas."

    I doubt since the xbox version was relesased as a twin pack.

  • Daryoon #45 7 years ago

    no zelda in there?

    OoT was 21st, with 6 million
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/04 @ 17:40

  • chronom4n #46 7 years ago

    i will be ordering the game alebeit the special edition. Just to make sure that i get it i will most likely buy from HMV or GAME. at least that way i do not have to worry about my copy getting lost in the post or anything. so I have to pay maybe £6 extra but what price can you put on a game such as HALO2. I will gladly pay the extra for the luxury of owning HALO2. the stress of the Royal Mail is too much. plus with GAME i can get my double bonus points or a free HALO2 poster so I read.

  • freedumb #47 7 years ago

    chronom4n, can you only get the limited edition via pre-order, not on the shop shelves or anything?

  • yegon #48 7 years ago

    freedumb - Virgin are still taking pre-orders on the limited edition (in the Sheffield store at least). According to the geezer I spoke with , hardly any of there allotment of LE's have been taken up...

  • mcmonkeyplc #49 7 years ago

    errrrrrm forgive me for being stupid but if system link co-op is in the game doesn't that practically mean that xbox live co-op is their as well seeing as the 2 normally go hand in hand?


  • yegon #50 7 years ago

    Yeah, since syslink co-op is in there, there's no reason to believe it wont be on Live too.

    I've got 2 preorders lined up, but I must admit I've had a sneaky 5 min peak at the naughty version. Tbh, if it was in English I'd be playing it now, but I've waited this long, I can wait another few weeks for the English speaking version.

    Who's going to go straight on Live when they get hold of it? Me, as much as I salivate at the Live aspect, for the first week or two its ALL about the single player mode.....besides, if you play it on Live you can guarantee that some US brat is going to scream spoilers down your earhole - some fat kid on rittilin(sp?) will probably have finished it on every difficulty in the few days between the US and EU release.

  • freedumb #51 7 years ago

    Good point. I was going to play on LIVE first but it make smore sense to finish the single-player, without overhearing numerous conversations revealing who the last boss is, all the plot twists etc.

    yegon, what I meant was can you only get the limited edition through pre-order, will the shops be selling it in stores or not? I know it's likely to be sold out, but is it one of those 'availible for a limted time only or while stocks last' thingies?

  • yegon #52 7 years ago

    Ah right, I see your point. I'm not sure, although I get the impression that if you get there early on day one SOME stores might have the odd one.

    I preordered my LE today at Virgin, and the guy guaranteed me it - I should have done it *months* ago, but I'm a lazy sod and kept putting it off. I only preordered the normal version last week o_O

  • yegon #53 7 years ago

    That said, I saw LE Zelda Windwaker on the shelves months after it was released.

  • yegon #54 7 years ago

    >>>hmhm don't you see, they want you to think its going to be a best selling game, so you think you must have it.... cause everyone else will....
    marketing.... hum

    Bollocks. I'm buying it because I really want the game, and if a few extra quid gets me a making of dvd etc. what the hell. There are many others who will feel the same. I'm NOT buying it as an investment - like someone said, the normal versions are probably rarer ;)

  • masterson #55 7 years ago

    "System Link Co-op is *deffo* in there. "

    No it ain't.

  • fergal_oc #56 7 years ago

    It's going to be single player all the way for me for the first few days atleast, want to let all the bozo's get their 10 minutes before they get bored and sod off - plus after what apparentely happened with B3, I wudn't be surprised if Live gets smashed with so many people logging on at once.

  • yegon #57 7 years ago

    >>>"System Link Co-op is *deffo* in there. "

    No it ain't.

    ---

    Then why I have clearly seen the option for it in the multiplayer sub-screens? I may be wrong, but there IS an option for it - maybe it refers to something else?

    Like I've said, I've only had a brief dabble with the naughty version, not really tried anything beyond a quick look at whats on offer.

    /is mystified, and prays that it is in there
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/04 @ 13:12

  • mcmonkeyplc #58 7 years ago

    CUNT! You fucking cunt!

    Post spoilers on the forum! My god you bastard!

  • yegon #59 7 years ago

    Thank goodness I didn't read downwards - I just saw the word CUNT, and was careful not to read above it, phew.

    Anyway, I was wrong about Syslink Co-op ;_; just checked it now and its only 2 on one console. Shame.

  • chronom4n #60 7 years ago

    yep freedumb, it is only possible via pre-order. did i some across as though it would be possible to buy it straight off? apologies if i did.

    actually i will pre-order it tomorrow morning i.e. saturday

  • chronom4n #61 7 years ago

    I have just put me pre-order in for HALO2 in my local GAME.

    i had to put down £5 deposit which they say will be deducted off the price when i pay for it come november.

    Well if there is one game that is hyped to the max on the 'box it has to be HALO2

    well i'll let nature take its course now!!!

  • pinhead #62 7 years ago

    Damn M$. There's no online co-op play. How stupid is that. Looks like I will be sticking to black arrow for my co-op gun leanings. Grrr.....

    According to ign.xbox. Grrr.. again.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/04 @ 10:59

  • #63 7 years ago

    Did they ever say that they were doing Live co-op though? .. Or have everyone expecting this actually suckered themselves

  • BartonFink #64 7 years ago

    Should be interesting to see if this one breaks all the records for pre-sales, and sales.

  • BartonFink #65 7 years ago

    So anybody know what the worldwide pre-order numbers are?

  • Sid-Nice #66 7 years ago

    Nintendo where's the sequel to Super Smash Bros Melee?