It is followed by fellow debut entry Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in second place.
Elsewhere, last week's number one Uncharted 3 moves down to third, while Sonic Generations slips three positions to ninth.
The top ten in full:
1. (-) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision)
2. (-) Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks)
3. (1) Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Sony)
4. (2) Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts)
5. (3) FIFA 12 (Electronic Arts)
6. (4) Batman: Arkham City (Warner Bros Interactive)
7. (7) Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 (Konami)
8. (5) F1 2011 (Codemasters)
9. (6) Sonic Generations (Sega)
10. (8) GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (Activision)
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C) 2011 UKIE Ltd.
Watch the Modern Warfare 3 live-action trailer below:
