Europeans have always responded well to great racing games – Gran Turismo is a definite favorite across the pond – so it should come as no surprise that EA's stellar Need for Speed: SHIFT has topped the weekly UK sales charts.
According to GameZine , SHIFT managed to top Activision's Guitar Hero for the weekly crown and what's even more encouraging for Sony is that the PS3 version of the innovative racer is the temporary king. In the first week in the UK, the PS3 iteration comprised 52% of the overall sales, with the Xbox 360 making up 44% and the PC and PSP sharing the final 4%. When Guitar Hero 5 and DiRT 2 – #2 and #3 respectively – launched, the 360 versions were most popular, so this new statistic may represent the start of a "shift" ('ahem') to Sony's console. The rest of the list, which you can view via the link above, remained mostly the same with the exception of Wet , which debuted at the #6 position. Perennial monthly favorites Batman: Arkham Asylum and Wii Sports Resort round out the top 5 and as usual, it's great to see so many quality titles succeeding on the sales charts. We can always trust the gamers to reward excellent productions!
It'll be interesting to see how SHIFT fares in the US, but we imagine it'll do quite well, considering the franchise's almost legendary popularity.
Related Game(s): Need for Speed: SHIFT
wow! amazing that guitar hero only had one week at the top and that the beatles: rock band is only in 7th place. good job for shift and ps3 users!
Sweet. This game is a lot of fun. No, it is not the ultimate simulator but it is very addicting and I'm smiling constantly while playing this. A very good mix of options in this one and should make a lot of people happy until GT5 and Forza 3 come out, respectively.
Dirt 2 on Ps3 still has the same vsynch(screen tearing) problems as Grid. I think the ego engine doesn't work well with the PS3 architecture or Cody still doesn't know how to use the Cell to help the GPU (RSX), render properly.
On the other hand SMS do a great job with NFSS on PS3. The framerate is steady,no vsynch problems,good textures,excellent lightning and blur effects,good physics engine.
Im glad Shift is selling well, I had my doubts because of the fact thats its a NFS game like no other in recent years. Let me explain; I know of people that like racing sims that unfortunately wont buy this coz its got Need for Speed in the title, and I know people who like NFS games but dont like sim racers so it made me curious if it'd sell well or not. I suppose its no surprise though, the brand name holds a lot of weight
Right, Im off to spray my Audi S3 purple 😉
Last edited by ed_winchester on 9/21/2009 11:06:40 AM
It would seem like Dirt 2 didn't live up to the driving expectations in UK. I can't imagine how huge it will be for GT5 in UK.
i liked dirt2, and gt5 will make every uk car fan orgasm. probably. its tied in heavily with topgear so… topgear is showin it love, and it will just be awesome. it will do well here.
Well their eye popping commercial should help in the US, it gives the game a real adrenaline junkie appeal.
shift is very good…
I wanna get SHIFT but I only have enough cash to purchase Katamari Forever, Demon's Souls (collector's edition), NGZ2 and the most important game this year…. UNCHARTED 2!
NFS has lost its NFS'ness, it used to be about underground illegal racing, modding and tricking up your cars, and getting chased by the police, i think they shouldn't have tried to be simulator!
Bring on NFS: Underground 3!!!!
Those who have the game, how is the screen jolting after a collision? Does it ALWAYS do it or only when the in the car view is used?
I want to see a most wanted 2.
It does it in the virtual cockpit as well as the interior cockpit mode. The severety depends on the force and speed of the impact.
It's a pretty cool immersion feature!
What has ultimately disappointed me is the fact that the deadzone settings are a more effective tuning option in the game in some cases.
It's not GT5, but it will have to do until then.
@pontiac
i kinda agree, but its like we have too much choice for settings adjustments
Does anyone else find it annoying that you cant custom map the controls? and that there is no 'mirror' or 'copy & paste' option when applying vinyls?
Yeah, no custom controller is so annoying!!!-_-
I love NFS Shift it is a great game 🙂
I don't know if I want Shift. Dirt 2 is a great game; I don't know if Shift is better. I'll have to rent Shift 2. If I could only buy one, I still think it in the end it would be Dirt 2. Two things Dirt 2 has going for it is the Flashbacks and the difficulty settings. It makes the game less frustrating when you reach a tough patch. Also, I love how the game calls you by name.
I hate flashback type features 🙁
It kills the purpose of some racing games.
NFS shift is actually a really easy game.
and thats saying allot coming from me because i suck at racing simulators.
it begins….
Saweet!
i was really impressed with NFS shift last night.
i was downplaying the game ever since it was announced, gutted that they went for the same track simulator style of NFS pro street.
but this time, they hit the nail on the head, the game is actually fun and feels very good.
and wow a racing simulator that does not kick you in the balls for 1 pity mistake.
its a miracle i dident think that was possible.
heres to hoping GT5 will be the same, but i doubt it.