'Call of Duty' Debuts at Retail

Walmart will give gamers early access to "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" by hosting tournaments in more than 2,700 stores today. The game officially goes on sale at midnight. Additionally, customers can earn game credit with the purchase of specially-marked 20-packs of Mountain Dew, sold exclusively at Walmart.

Best Buy will host 318 "Play it Early" access events at select stores across the U.S. In addition, the retailer will open early at more than 900 locations. Best Buy is also offering a free smartphone to customers who purchase the Call of Duty Premium Elite membership and a limited edition case in addition to the game.

“Walmart is the destination for all gamers this holiday season,” says Seong Ohm, senior vice president of entertainment, Walmart U.S. “When it comes to entertainment, Walmart offers unbelievable prices on the widest assortment of gaming devices from brand name consoles to new releases.”

"Best Buy is the one-stop shop for fans of the Modern Warfare series, and we're thrilled to partner with Activision to offer customers an early access experience available only at Best Buy," says Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. "All season, we're committed to bringing customers the hottest games for the holidays, matched with an unparalleled shopping experience."