Source: http://gonintendo.com/?p=24964

"One of our readers has been hunting down information on this, as have I. I actually ran out to an EB Games this morning to check it out. Reader Andre had heard from a GameStop employee that Super Mario Galaxy had hit 400,000 preorders via GameStop/EB in the US. He has gone through a few more employees, and keeps getting the same answer. I have now asked two employees about the preorder totals, without offering up the 400,000 number. Both employees gave me the same 400,000 response. It’s not an official number by any means, but let’s hope it is at least indicative of the excitement level for the game."

After hearing this, I went out of pre-ordered the game.  My gamestop said they were getting a lot of Galaxy and Brawl preorders.  When I asked what game were they getting more of, they said  "Oh Brawl definitely.  A week after we started Brawl preorders we already had about 80 people come in and preorder.  And no one ever seems to know when we start the preorders, so that was a big sign"  I can only imagine Brawl Preorders are 500,000+

And to those who think Mario Galaxy and Brawl will beat Halo....

Ha.

Montanna: I don't think anyone claimed it would beat it first day. Well, maybe John Lucas. If they manage to, it will surprise anyone who pays attention to gaming sales.

I still refuse to pre-order unless I get a pre-blowjob from an acceptable looking clerk. Don't know how much to order? Welcome to the business world fuckers. If I'm going to do your purchasers job for you for minor or no compensation, hire a kneeler. Particularily when pre-orders often mean nothing.

Not sure if that is a joke or what, but I don't think "400,000 at Gamestop/EB in America" is a good point for comparison with other games.. and i especially think so given that galaxy is still 2 months away, rather than less than 2 weeks -- and that is keeping in mind that Wii owners aren't a 'preordering' type of people i'd say...

Yes, true, Nintendo fans are weird creatures. They are confused at the concept of "preordering".

I think its a great number. If you think of all the people who don't preorder. And all the people who don't buy from Gamestop/EB. Not to mention its 2 months away. That number will go way up.

@Montanna: Im pretty sure Brawl or Galaxy wont beat Halo in America for a couple reasons. One being that Halo has been the only reason to own Xbox for a while. Although admittedly, the 360 has A LOT better games than the original Xbox ever had. But Xbox360 doesn't sell at all in Japan. So all Halo sales will be coming from America/Europe. Melee has beat out the original Halo. And is less than 2 million behind Halo 2 (Yea I know thats a lot). Im not saying Brawl will beat out Halo 3 long term, but it has a damn good chance.

Pre-ordering a game just doesn't make sense. Since when has a game sold out on the first day? Every game I have ever wanted was available somewhere. I will buy Halo 3 for my bros when it releases. I have no doubt that it will take no more than a trip to one of the the four stores within 10 miles of my house that sale games to find a copy. I have a walmart, ebgames, gamecrazy, and target practically next door.

 Let's take a look.

Both Halo and Super Smash Bros Melee launched to a completely new userbase.

Halo 2 launched to an approximately 17-18 million userbase. 

And, according to Vgchartz's numbers, Melee beat Halo 1 by only 150k units.

There's really no way to tell, but I'm putting my money on Halo 3.

Halo *should* win in the US - and will easily lose worldwide.

Japan:

250k Halo3? Max? 

2m Galaxy by end of year, if not more.

...

Lets not also forget that SMG launches in 2 months - Halo launches in 2 weeks. Once Halo is out, SMG will be the biggest release for the rest of the year. 

Halo 3 will smash Mario Galaxy mainly due to the fact that MG will launch later.