UK Chart: Aliens: Colonial Marines the biggest launch of 2013 so far

Gearbox's panned FPS Aliens: Colonial Marines has shot to the top of the UK charts despite its massive critical drubbing.

Aliens: Colonial Marines also enjoyed the best opening-week sales of any game this year so far--beating Dead Space 3, which Aliens: Colonial Marines also shunted into second place in the charts.

But could the sales numbers be down to the fact Aliens: Colonial Marines launched on a Tuesday, whereas Dead Space 3 launched on a Friday?

Colonial Marines didn't manage to outsell Rebellion's 2010 take on Aliens vs. Predator, however. Last week one reported former Gearbox employee said the development of Colonial Marines was a "total train wreck."

FIFA 13 is third, enjoying a 39 per cent sales increase this week thanks to young people being off on half-term. Call of Duty: Black Ops II takes fourth, Far Cry 3 fifth, Assassin's Creed 3 sixth, Need for Speed: Most Wanted seventh, Just Dance 4 eighth, Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed ninth, and Halo 4 tenth.

The Top 20 UK charts for the week ending February 16:

1. Aliens: Colonial Marines
2. Dead Space 3
3. FIFA 13
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
5. Far Cry 3
6. Assassin's Creed 3
7. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
8. Just Dance 4
9. Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed
10. Halo 4
11. Hitman Absolution
12. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
13. Skylanders Giants
14. Hitman: HD Trilogy
15. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
16. LEGO Lord of the Rings
17. Forza Horizon
18. Football Manager 2013
19. Dishonored
20. Grand Theft Auto IV