I just got a late-night message from Microsoft letting us know that Halo 3, the Xbox 360 gold mine, will be released on Sept. 25. After rumor and speculation, amongst closed circles mind you, that the game may be released early, we now have a final and solid release date. From the press release:

In a year when Hollywood is launching its biggest blockbusters ever, a video game is set to conquer them all. “Halo® 3,” the final chapter in the groundbreaking “Halo” trilogy, is set to shatter day-one entertainment sales records when it is released worldwide beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25. Created by legendary developer Bungie Studios and exclusive to the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, “Halo 3” will set a new standard for interactive storytelling and social gaming by engaging consumers worldwide in Master Chief’s epic battle to save humankind. “Halo 3” will be available to audiences around the world starting Sept. 25 and will release in Europe on Sept. 26. 

There you go. Mark your calendar and get ready to pwn.