Switched On
In regards to physical video game sales, the past week saw one of the most lucrative “first weeks” in years, as the UK’s latest state of lockdown saw many gaming fans purchase new titles to while away the hours. Nintendo was the majority driving force behind the sales, with Switch releases taking up over half of the places in this week’s UK Charts.
Retaining the top spot was social sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which continues to shift steady copies each and every week, despite approaching its first anniversary. More amazingly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe found itself in second place, despite having been on the market for almost four years now. Ring Fit Adventure and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe are also in the top league, alongside Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2021 and the Switch edition of Minecraft. A positive start to the year for Nintendo.
In the PlayStation and Xbox markets, the Top 10 is occupied by regular sellers such as Electronic Arts’ FIFA 21, Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Take-Two’s Grand Theft Auto V, and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Got that Bro demographic covered. CDPR’s beleaguered Cyberpunk 2077 has already left the Top 10, and currently sits at number 20. There is currently no official word as to when this latest (but likely not last) lockdown situation will come to a close.
U.K. video game sales chart w/e: January 9, 2021
(Chart reflects in-store physical sales only)
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Nintendo
3. Just Dance 2021 – Ubisoft
4. FIFA 21 – Electronic Arts
5. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Ubisoft
6. Ring Fit Adventure – Nintendo
7. Minecraft – Nintendo
8. Grand Theft Auto V – Take-Two Interactive
9. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – Nintendo
10. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Activision
U.K. video game charts [GamesIndustry.biz]
