FIFA 08 tops 2007 UK sales charts

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UKPosted Jan 15, 2008 7:04 am PT

Figures from Chart Track and ELSPA show that 2007 was the best year ever for British gaming.

With events such as the Manhunt 2 ban, the merger of Game and Gamestation, and the launch of the PlayStation 3, 2007 was certainly a notable year for news in UK gaming. According to the latest figures from data trackers Chart Track and industry body the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, it was a pretty big year for sales too.

UK sales were up a "staggering" 16 percent on games sold over the previous year, reports the two trade bodies. A total of 75.9 million units were sold in 2007, adding up to £1.72 billion (about $3.3 billion) in hard cash, which was a 26 percent increase on 2006.

Handheld systems were big winners in 2007 and sold more in total than in any of the previous years. The Nintendo DS format sold the biggest number of games, and the handheld market now accounts for nearly a third of the entire market. Last year it had just over a quarter.

Format-wise, it is likely no surprise to anyone that the Nintendo DS came out on top, followed by the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3. It was the first year since 2003 that the PlayStation 2 had not held the top spot.

The top-selling game in the UK for 2007 was FIFA 08, followed by stalwart Dr Kawashima's Brain Training, then Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima, Halo 3, The Simpsons Game, Wii Play, Assassin's Creed, and WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2008.

47 Comments

  • ov3rdance

    Posted Apr 1, 2008 11:18 pm PT

    i go for a rent but there aren't any at movie store.

  • aDhAmMe13

    Posted Jan 17, 2008 9:36 pm PT

    intriguing...hmm

  • Razzi65

    Posted Jan 17, 2008 5:30 am PT

    imagine MGS4 & GTA 4 launched in 2007...

    OMG!!!!

    110/100 for 2007...

    halo3 was'nt best.. boring, dont know y people like that..
    i think COD4 was best FPS..... even better than bioshock..

  • Jaakko_FIN

    Posted Jan 17, 2008 4:58 am PT

    I agree with speedster39. Really, i think best thing ever happened to gaming world is Halo 3, but there was something for everyone.

  • speedster38

    Posted Jan 16, 2008 9:15 pm PT

    dude this has probably been the most rewarding years for gamers.... ..... Desiners thank you. halo 3 and assassin's creed rock! =) and Quofan i agree

  • Dougall369

    Posted Jan 16, 2008 2:40 pm PT

    Awesome, yeah Call of Duty 4 is the best game ever made as ar as i'm concerned. Call of Duty will always be one step inhead of the market when it comes to first person shooters. I thought no. 3 was good, COD 4 was.....well revolutionary!!

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Jan 16, 2008 1:42 pm PT

    COD4 will easily surpass 10M units sold worldwide because it is easily in the top3 best games of each platform last year, and best seller up of until now.

    Activision should not rush another COD game. They should make an expansion for COD4, if they feel like they need to cash on the hype.

  • Quofan

    Posted Jan 16, 2008 12:47 pm PT

    Diklo1

    The UK did not lose to Croatia - England lost to Croatia. Get your facts straight, Im pretty happy they did, but don't confuse the UK and England, its insulting to the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish.

    On topic, this is depressing. They release pretty much the same game every year and it still sells. At least in Football Manager there are major changes such as feeder clubs, scouting reports, assisten manager team reports etc. and big changes to the interface. For once I would like EA to introduse more in-depth career modes and maybe introduce a player career mode, like the one that was in ISS 2000 for the 64. At least it stood out.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jan 16, 2008 1:53 am PT

    ukillwegrill:

    What the hell are you talking about? If all they did was kick a football about, things would be fine. But these people are todays role models, setting examples for youth everywhere, there actions are replicated by youth up and down the country.

    And no, not ALL the UK's 'problems' Thats a stretch even by my eyes. But moron football players, their actions and theyre huge wages make for incredibly bad role models. Combined with the lack of parenting in todays world, and governments complete inability to solve issues in the proper way are the cause for pretty much all of our problems. The rest is economy and the weather.

  • smitoraj2008

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 8:48 pm PT

    It's so funny how completely dominant the PS2 was and still is.

  • IIBlackknightII

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 8:45 pm PT

    Fifa 08 was awesome game ,COD 4 & halo were great games too.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 8:39 pm PT

    Fifa 08 was a way fun game

  • ratchet3

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 6:22 pm PT

    Fifa 08 was great this year, I really like the Be-A-Pro mode.

  • Diklo1

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    well its the only way uk can beat croatia is through video games

  • MatthewNintendo

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 4:29 pm PT

    Why is it that FIFA tops our charts every year? it's boring and every year's game is almost identical to the previous year. Why do football fans love spending £40-£50 every year on the same game. Surely you must want something different.

  • kcweezkid

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    Glad to see the DS getting some love over on the other side of the pond. I have always thought it was a highly under rated system filled with titles for all ages.

  • 7-ate-9

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 2:43 pm PT

    I agree with diablobasher that certain footballers (Rooney and co) have been negligent and irresponsible in their position as role models lately. However to attribute the countries youth problem to football is shockingly reductive, there are a lot worse things than football that can influence the population. Don't forget that football also has positive aspects in the sense of community and belonging it can offer to people. Disclaimer: I don't support football but appreciate it as a sport and will watch the world cup. Football games however are great fun.

    Some sources support diablobasher however:

    "I'd rather my son got into smack that football" Nick Cave

  • ukillwegrill

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 2:20 pm PT

    @Diablobasher
    How can football be at fault for all the problems in the U.K?
    Knife crime and sexual attacks all because some guys kidk a football about.....um ok.
    Maybe its the fact that parents are lazy and cant teach their kids right from wrong.
    Footballers dont all get up to stupid things the vast majaority are fine people.

  • buzzguy

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 2:14 pm PT

    Fifa is great this year, and deserves high sales. Gotta luv that it's "made in Canada", too!

  • Blueguy93

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 2:00 pm PT

    Yeah!

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices

GameStop $19.99 SHOP ›
advertisement
advertisement
Click Here
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement