Halo 3 expected to sell 3 million in 12 days

Analyst expects Microsoft's juggernaut to push US Xbox 360 console sales above 400,000 in September.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has delivered his latest research note to investors, predicting that Halo 3 will "sell over 3 million U.S. units in its first 12 days".

Pachter also notes that Halo 3 should provide Microsoft with a bona fide system seller.

"We expect the game to be a driver of console sales, and believe that Microsoft's unit sales for the 360 could exceed 400,000 in September, the highest figure for a non-holiday month since launch," said Pachter.

Pachter's estimates follow those of Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian who predicts that Halo 3 could bring in sales revenue of $200 million in the first 24 hours on sale.