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US PC game charts: August 27- September 2

Most recent weekly top 10 from NPD yields a Sims 2 four-way, a dethroned World of Warcraft, and a resurgent Starcraft: Battle Chest.

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Prior to the week of August 27 to September 2, World of Warcraft had ruled the weekly NPD PC bestseller charts for a month straight. It was the latest round in the game of top-slot switcheroo that Blizzard Entertainment's game had been playing with Electronic Arts' The Sims 2. The two titan PC titles have consistently remained in the top 10 since their release in 2004, the latter fast becoming a franchise on par with the original Sims thanks to its various expansion packs.

Though the Sims 2 finished in third place during the week--right below WOW--the Sims 2 brand came up on top again, thanks to a new add-on for the lifestyle simulator. The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff took over the number-one slot in the week following its release, just as The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff--this week's 10th-place game--did when it was released April. Neither "Stuff" title is a full-fledged Sims 2 expansion like Open for Business, which finished in ninth place, or earlier expansions Nightlife or University. Instead, they just add new items for Sims 2 characters to use, including clothes and interior decoration.

Meanwhile, down in fourth place, THQ's movie-based minigame compilation Cars: Radiator Springs kept up its surprising pace. Perhaps even more surprising was what title was on its tail. Fifth-place game Starcraft: Battle Chest has rocketed back onto the charts seven years after it was first released, thanks in large part to its low nationwide average retail price of $12. (Note: Average prices are determined by NPD sales surveys, and actual suggested retail price may vary.)

Meanwhile, down in sixth was last week's top game, NFL Madden 07 from EA Sports. Then came the children's adventure title Nancy Drew: Danger By Design, topping the ever-popular Roller Coaster Tycoon 3: Gold, which bundles the original Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 with its Soaked! expansion pack.

Falling out of the chart during the week of August 27 to September 2 were two titles from 2K--Civilization IV and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion--and another resurgent retro-RTS comp, Warcraft III: Battlechest.

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