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Official figures released by ELSPA today show software sales across all formats hit an all time high in 2006, with a phenomenal 65.1 million units shifted in the UK.
There was a 7% overall increase in games being sold, with sales totalling £1.36 billion – that’s up 1% on 2005’s record figures. FIFA 07 was the biggest seller, hotly followed by its closest rival Pro Evolution Soccer 6, and Need for Speed: Carbon revved into third place.
PS2 proved to be the most popular home console format, followed by newcomer Xbox 360, Xbox, Wii and GameCube. Handheld sales were mightily impressive too, with DS and PSP software coming in just behind PS2. Games for Nintendo’s DS also slightly outperformed those for its Sony rival.
It was the best year ever for PC software in 2006, with a massive 7% increase on 2005 – temporarily putting to rest fears next-gen gaming could be sounding the death knell for PC gaming.
Paul Jackson, Director General of ELSPA, said: “We are thrilled to see the industry growing and software sales continuing to rise. With the new generation consoles and new handhelds there are some amazing titles out there and consumers are continuing to enjoy them.
“There are new and exciting games available and more and more family orientated and mentally stimulating titles to grasp and hold the interest of all ages. This is also a testament to the industry and it will continue to gain momentum.”
The top selling games of 2006
1. FIFA 07
2. Pro Evolution Soccer 6
3. Need For Speed: Carbon
4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
5. Lego Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy
6. The Sims 2: Pets
7. Cars
8. Tomb Raider Legend
9. The Sims 2
10. WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2007
