We are now starting to gather more actual data of how successful the recent launch of Halo 3: ODST really was. In the view of retailer GameStop, while they have a strict policy not to release actual sales figures for a specific title, they are saying that the pre-orders of Halo 3: ODST were strong and this momentum led into sales that exceeded the company’s expectations.

While we are still waiting for Microsoft to release more data on the actual number of copies sold, from what we are hearing the numbers were much better than expected. What is puzzling, however, is that after release of the title many players complained that the campaign was a bit short and ODST lacked additional multi-player modes beyond firefight, which was nothing more than a take-off on the Gears of War “Horde” mode.

Still, the complaints have not yet equaled disappointment to the level where players are trading the title in. We checked with a number of sources that specialize in the sales of used games and every one of them said that the numbers of Halo 3: ODST that they are seeing coming in used is quite small. In fact, several sources tell us that they have seen only a copy or two come in for sale or trade since the release of Halo 3: ODST, but many players that either never buy new or are refusing to buy the title new are asking for the lower priced used copies.

As for sales of the Limited Edition Halo 3: ODST pack, which included the special wireless Halo 3: ODST edition controller, from what our sources are telling us this may truly turn out to be a significant collector’s item in the long term. Although it was a GameStop exclusive bundle, our sources tell us that the sales of the Limited Edition version of Halo 3: ODST were not nearly as strong as predicted. Some sources indicate that many customers converted from the Limited Edition to the regular edition prior to release and some GameStop locations might even have one or two of the Limited Edition versions left for sale. According to our sources, Microsoft will not be making any additional inventory of the Halo 3: ODST Limited Edition version available, so it is likely that what is inventory at retail GameStop locations is all that is left on this one.