Charity event Desert Bus For Hope has hit an impressive milestone of US$3.1 million raised, after this year's record-breaking run.

This year's instalment of the event raised US$676,883.57, breaking its own record for the ninth consecutive time.

Desert Bus For Hope, created by Canadian comedy team Loading Ready Run in 2007, sees gamers play a marathon of infamous anti-game Desert Bus.

Desert Bus itself was developed in 1995 as a joke for Penn & Teller's Smoke & Mirrors, and consists of a slow, featureless drive between Tucson and Las Vegas in a bus with wonky steering.

A point in Desert Bus is scored by completing the eight-hour trip, at which time the player can choose to drive back again.

This year's marathon reached 159 hours of continuous gameplay.

The money raised went to Seattle-based charity Child's Play, which donates toys and games to sick children.