Burnout 3 slams into top slot

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 4 September

1 (NE) Burnout 3: Takedown
(PS2, Xbox)
2 (1) Conflict Vietnam
(PS2, Xbox, PC)
3 (2) ShellShock: Nam '67
(PS2, Xbox, PC)
4 (8) Second Sight
(PS2, Xbox, Cube)
5 (3) Spider-Man 2
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, GBA)
6 (4) The Simpsons: Hit and Run
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, PC)
7 (6) Driv3r
(PS2, Xbox)
8 (7) Need for Speed Underground
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, PC, GBA)
9 (9) FIFA 2004
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, PC, GBA, PSone, N-Gage)
10 (11) Shrek 2
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, GBA)
11 (10) Doom 3
(PC)
12 (12) Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
(PS2, Xbox, Cube)
13 (NE) Headhunter: Redemption
(PS2, Xbox)
14 (13) Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow
(Xbox)
15 (5) Athens 2004
(PS2)
16 (17) The Sims: Bustin' Out
(PS2, Xbox, Cube, GBA, N-Gage)
17 (15) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
(PS2, Xbox, PC, GBA)
18 (20) Wario Ware Inc: Mega Party Games
(Cube)
19 (18) GTA: Vice City
(PS2, PC)
20 (16) America's 10 Most Wanted
(PS2)

It was a foregone conclusion that Criterion's Burnout 3: Takedown would land with a bang, crash, wallop in first place and it also becomes the fourth fastest selling Xbox title ever. A slick marketing campaign by the series' new publisher EA didn't do it any harm but, to be frank, the game would have nabbed first place regardless. Even those not disposed towards whizzing around on four wheels can't resist a session of Burnout carnage and that speaks volumes about one of the most fun racers ever to grace a console.

The other big news in the top five is that Second Sight jumps from eight to four and it's a well deserved climb for Free Radical's beautifully crafted psychic thriller. Apart from Headhunter: Redemption's impressive retail promotion-related leap from 39 to 13, the rest of the chart is fairly static with most titles nudging up or down the odd place or two.

With the likes of Resident Evil: Outbreak, The Sims 2, Colin McRae Rally 2005, Star Wars Battlefront, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005, Warhammer 40K Dawn of War, Evil Genius, Def Jam Fight for NY, Fable and THUG 2 all looming on the horizon, expect a major shake-up over the next few weeks.

Leisure software charts compiled by ChartTrack
(C) 2004 (UK) Ltd