The popularity of mainstream gaming has seen a slew of casual titles dominate the half year 2009 charts, with ELSPA GfK-ChartTrack’s numbers showing that accessible titles have bossed the UK High Street so far this year.
Topping the list is Nintendo’s Wii Fit, which combined with Wii Play (second in the chart) and Mario Kart Wii (third) so far in 2009 represent total sales of 1.65m – a number that represents 75 per cent of the top five’s total sales.
In the same period Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training saw its total UK sales surpass 3m, making it the most popular game ever in this country. The game itself finished seventh in the chart.
Other casual titles doing well in the listing were Nintendo’s puzzle curiosity Professor Layton and the Curious Village (fourth) and Sega’s Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (tenth).
“These figures are clear evidence that gaming is now mainstream in the UK,” ELSPA director general Michael Rawlinson stated.
“The demographic has changed, so it’s time we did away with the misperception that videogames are merely the preserve of teenage boys shooting zombies. Innovation in the industry means the social and educational benefits of gaming are now enjoyed by players of both sexes and of all ages.”