Just in case you couldn’t guess, our beloved game from Bungie, Halo 3, has taken top sales honors for 2007.

Today’s NPD sales numbers reveal that Bungie’s Halo 3 was the best selling game in the United States in 2007, with a whopping 4.82 million copies sold.

This is a staggaring win for Microsoft, considering the second most sold game, Wii Play, had a seven month head start on the Master Chief.

The top ten best selling games in the USA for last year are below.

01 - Halo 3 (Xbox 360) - 4,820,000
02 - Wii Play with Remote (Wii) - 4,120,000
03 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360) - 3,040,000
04 - Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2) - 2,720,000
05 - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 2,520,000
06 - Pokemon Diamond (DS) - 2,480,000
07 - Madden NFL 08 (PS2) - 1,900,000
08 - Guitar Hero II (PS2) - 1,890,000
09 - Assassin’s Creed (Xbox 360) - 1,870,000
10 - Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 1,820,000

Hello all you Halo fans! In case no one’s done it before, Welcome to the end of the Halo saga!

How is it going to be resolved? What mysteries will be revealed? Will all sentient life be wiped out by a devistating pulse from the monitor and its Halos? Is Master Chief some type of Messiah? Well, to help solve these questions we’ve created this in-depth Halo 3 walkthrough, and its so big that we have to split it into 9 pieces.

Because the game play is basically a bunch of skirmishes throughout a vast and gorgeous landscape, we’ve broken this walkthrough up in sections. One of the most important things to remember is there is usually more than one way to get through each skirmish, so if you find a better way through an area, let us know!

You might not realize that Halo 3 actually has a very rich story arc as you’re blasting your way through it. So, we’ll try to provide some back-story where necessary and commentary on each of the cut scenes.

Anyway, enough with the intro’s, let’s get Started!!

Level 1: Sierra 117

In the opening scene, we see a dark sky filled with stars. That female voice we have come to know and love, Cortana, starts talking about our beloved hero, Master Chief. During the intro, we see a shooting star come towards us and then break up as plows into Earth. Now our hero knows how to make an entrance. And while he might fly like a brick, he’s a brick with style. Since Master Chief was part of that space debris, he lies stunned on the forest floor in a locked position. When he does come to, he takes a quick run for the Arbiter who is watching from afar.

Walk it Off

As you take control of the indestructible Master Chief, that hard-as-nails Marine Johnson directs the squad to head on into the canyon. So, follow them as they run over the logs, through the trees, up over cliff faces and around pools.

You will eventually come to the opening of a waterfall, where a phantom flies overhead. Now, don’t let the fact that most of your squad climbs the rocks means that you should too. The proper path is a hard right over a log and into your first firefight with the troops in cement bunkers.

After you have finished off the first wave, a Phantom swoops in and second wave appears from the little waterfall in front of you. Kill this wave and cross to the other side of the river via the rocks along the waterfall, and kill the third wave of troops. Note: Try killing the Brute first as this sends the Grunts into panic mode. Unlike the regenerative shields that the Elites had in the previous Halo games, the Brutes have regular style armor that a good blast will knock them down to nothing.

Bonus - Skull: Blind

From the lagoon you were just at, take the stream until it leads off the cliff. When you’re standing on the edge, look out over the giant lake beyond and take a right. You should see a boulder in the way, but go around it. Follow the edge of this cliff around until you see a rock where there is a skull on the end. You will not get an achievement for this skull but it is still a skull that you can use during the campaign.

Next, follow the path as it winds around and over to a cliff that is overlooking a small canyon. One of the marines in your crew says “Jackals on the ridge, stay back it looks like the have Carbines.” He’s NOT LYING, there’s snipers all over the place. The best approach is to “borrow” a long range weapon such as a Battle Riffle or a carbine. Remember slow and steady wins the race - stand on the highest point and pick off each Jackal. Don’t jump down into the middle area, stay on the rocks that line the canyon!! This keeps you away from the Grunts and the Brutes waiting for some fresh Spartan meat. If you’re good, or just want to conserve ammo, look to the far end of the gorge, you will see several fusion cores which have the potential to take out several of the baddies at the same time.

When you kill everyone here, Johnson says “Pelicans are en route.” Around the next corner, a gold-clad Brute stands high on a log holding a marine over the edge. The Brute demands for the location of the base and the marine replies, “kiss my ass.” In a particularly brutish style, the poor human is pummeled and tossed to the ground. I think we’re supposed to take from this that Brute’s are mean and brutal.

Before you get all Spartan on that brute, watch out for his support team. There’s Jackals above ready to snipe you. Instead, use this opportunity to show off your sniper skills by focusing on the Brutes and the jackals from afar using the carbine. Keep on going ahead to add to the body count.

By following the path, you’ll eventually come to a cave. Inside, Master Chief starts getting flashbacks from Cortana. She appears to be lying down hurt and says “Could you
sacrifice me to complete your mission,” “Could you watch me die.”

At this point, good ol’ Johnson barkes “Chief, the Pelicans are at the river, so hustle up.” We then see two Pelicans hovering over a river and marines inside shooting down at the Covenant forces below. But, Pelicans being pelicans, get swarmed by Covenant Banshees and we can only be witness to our would-be rides get shot down. One of them explodes in all types of fire and mayhem, while the other Pelican barely escapes.
So, with no chance of hitching a ride, start off by shooting the light resistance at the beach. The real fight though, will be in the human structures that are along the cliff face.

Note: There is a portable machine gun turret inside the Pelican wreckage, but it is too slow and to use in this fight. Try creeping along the left side of the large boulder and pick off the jackals before flinging yourself into the hordes of Grunts and Brutes. If you are having too much trouble fighting up close and personal, try heading into the high ground of the boulders and the high wall that runs around the rear perimeter of the base. Using a combo of Carbines and Plasma Pistols seems to work well against a lot of the armored baddies in this area.

When the main area of the base is cleared, DON’T GO IN. Go around the corner to find a gold Brute and some more snipers.

Charlie Foxtrot

At this point, the Arbiter recommends heading back into the jungle and Johnson radios in that he and his Pelican were shot down. He sends the Master Chief his
coordinates expecting a rescue.

Well, in case you didn’t get enough sniping before, thank the Bungie coders now - this next area has even more Jackal snipers. Don’t forget to pick up one of the
Covenant sniper rifles (Beam Rifles) that one of the Jackals so graciously left you. Note: The Covenant Beam Rifle does not have a clip, you will have to
drop the whole gun when it is low of ammo, so best practice is when you kill each jackal swap out your rifle for their fully loaded one.

When you get to the next ridge, you’ll hear Johnson say “Come on you big dumb apes, if you want breakfast, your going to have to catch it.”
Enhance your body count with either the Sniper/Carbine. Like shooting fish in a barrel, pick off the jackals on the ridge. At this point, its ok to pickup a close range weapon such as a Brute shot because next comes a heavy Brute presence in the ravine below.

After killing him, follow the path as it winds around from the ravine up towards a small bridge. It is best to get your hands on a ranged weapon here as there will be jackals on the bridge.

When you reach the top, you will see that Johnson’s Pelican didn’t make it very far from the beach. The path through the mountain ridge will be guarded by Brutes and
Grunts. SAVE YOUR LONG RANGE WEAPON. Attack them with whatever weapon you kept that isn’t a sniper rifle, you’ll need the bullets for the next area.

Quid Pro Pro
The path opens up to a deep canyon that was created by the dammed river. The Arbiter will point out that Johnson and his crew are just bait. Pay close attention as there are Jackal snipers covering the entire perimeter of this base. Show them your skills as a sniper. Once the threat of the snipers are gone, jump off the cliff and move in for some close combat. While not a particular fan of the needler, it’s really useful here because everyone’s got one, and it’s best if you save your Brute Shot for the encounter on the top of the dam.

Make your way to the top of the dam and get ready for a good fight as you turn the corner. Make no mistake, The Brutes will come in full force as soon as they see you. Be mindful that there might be some jackals above too, stay out of their line of sight. It’s really important to focus all your fire on the Brute leader. Who’s the Brute leader? This guy.

When he falls, pick off the Jackals and then use the Brute Leader’s Gravity hammer to kill the remaining forces standing between you and Sgt. Johnson’s prison cell.

Bonus: Iron Skull

When the bridge is clear, as you stand on the dam, jump up to the platform where the two Jackals were. The floor here is a rust-red metal grating. Go Forward until you see two rusty pipes running perpendicular to you. Follow them around and then hop onto the catwalk that runs parallel to these pipes. The catwalk will run alongside the glass wall eventually. When it does, turn left and continue down it as it winds around the building. At the very, very end of the catwalk and tucked into a little alcove is the
iron skull.

Work your way around the dam and follow the navigation icon to find the imprisoned Johnson. He’s just on the far side and down the stairs. Johnson and his USNC marines are being held in the building across from the bottom of these stairs. Outside, a Phantom will appear overhead. You can just take cover, as the USNC will eventually destroy it, or you can help out and finish the game faster. Either way, stay close to your troops since they will provide some much needed fire support and absorb bullets that otherwise was meant for you. If you need it, there is a shield regenerator hiding nearby. Backtrack around the U again and up onto the dam.
Just sit tight and when the pelicans arrive, the story will continue.

The Pelican “goes hot” and fires a barrage of missiles at the Covenant drop ship destroying it instantly. Damn!

When the Covenant threat has been dealt with, follow your allies as they board the Pelican to complete the level.

Congratulations! You have completed Level 1 - Sierra 117 of Halo 3.

Stay tuned for more!

The Halo 3 Tournament of Champions is about underway folks! Just a quick reminder for anyone wanting to get in some extra practice first, the Army is sponsoring a special Basic Training with the first test being Sniper School.

The entry period for the sweepstakes is six full days, and you can get a new entry for each day you play a Halo 3 multiplayer match online. We’ve got more than a thousand prizes to give away, and the Grand Prize is a limited-edition, framed piece of Halo 3 artwork. Don’t miss your chance to win!

Just register your gamertag before midnight ET on January 25, and then play in an online multiplayer match between 12:01 A.M. Eastern Time (ET) on January 19, 2008, and 11:59 P.M. ET on January 25, 2008 to enter. You’ll score a new sweepstakes entry for every day you play during the entry period.

One (1) Grand Prize :
- Limited Edition, framed piece of Halo 3 Artwork with commemorative Sniper School plaque and certificate of authenticity

One thousand two hundred fifty (1250) Daily Prize Winners :
- 800 Microsoft Points
You must register for your chance to win!

Register your gamertag before the end of the promotion on January 25. Check out the Play & Win rules for full details on the sweepstakes, including more info on how to register and participate, as well as detailed prize information.

The Play & Win promotions from Xbox.com are an easy way to jump in and interact with the Xbox LIVE community. It’s easy to enter and you could win some great prizes. Look for more exciting Play & Win promotions in the future!

Good Luck Grunts!