What controversy? Medal of Honor pockets $100 million

Critics have been lukewarm over “Medal of Honor” and Electronic Arts is still taking heat for the early (and since-reversed) decision to make the Taliban playable in the multiplayer mode, but the game is still selling strong.

EA has announced the game sold 1.5 million units in its first five days on store shelves. CEO John Riccitiello added in an interview on Fox Business that the game has already surpassed $100 million at retail.

Both are impressive numbers, but what investors will be interested in seeing is how long the title’s tail is at retail. Given the publicity that accompanied the controversy and the timing of the game’s launch window (stuck between “Halo: Reach” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops”), many worry that it has a short window in which to make hay.

Also, the so-so reviews could dissuade fence sitters from buying the game.

Unfortunately, with NPD’s new reporting structure, it will be challenging for people to get a clear picture on how well the game has performed after the initial burst.