Need For Speed Makes it 10 in a Row

It's about time some new games came out.

Is there anybody in the UK who doesn't own a copy yet of the best-selling Need For Speed Underground 2? Apparently, yes.

Ten in a row for EA.

EA's monstrously successful driving-cum-lifestyle game finds itself still at the top of the UK charts - making it 10 weeks in the No 1 spot - and once again nudges Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas into the second position.

This impressive statistic means that Need For Speed Underground 2 has held the top position on Chart Track's sales charts longer than any other game. It's not all good news, though, as actual sales figures show that the game is selling progressively less week-on-week.

The numbers come during a particularly dry spell for videogames. With the Christmas season now over and retailers still offloading excess merchandise at bargain prices, publishers are hesitant to release new games.

Because of this, the chart is virtually identical to previous weeks, save for some shuffling about in the middle order.

All is not lost, however, as publishers prepare to flood the market again between now and March. Apart from the Nintendo DS, which launches on 11 March, games such as Resident Evil 4, World of Warcraft, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords are waiting patiently in the wings. And Sony will release the PSP in the coming months too.

Below are the top 10 games in the UK for the week ending 29 January as determined by Chart Track:

1. Need For Speed: Underground 2 (EA)
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rockstar)
3. The Simpsons: Hit & Run (VU Games)
4. The Incredibles (THQ)
5. Pro Evolution Soccer 4 (Konami)
6. FIFA 2005 (EA)
7. Prince Of Persia: Warrior Within (Ubisoft)
8. Sonic Heroes (Sega)
9. Football Manager 2005 (Sega)
10. Call Of Duty: Finest Hour (Activision)

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games