Pro Evolution 4 reigns supreme

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 16 October

1 (NE) Pro Evolution Soccer 4
(PS2)
2 (1) FIFA 2005
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)
3 (7) Tony Hawk's Underground 2
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)
4 (2) Fable
(Xbox)
5 (5) Burnout 3: Takedown
(PS2, Xbox)
6 (4) The Sims 2
(PC)
7 (3) Pokemon Fire Red
(GBA)
8 (8) Star Wars: Battlefront
(PS2, Xbox, PC)
9 (6) Rome: Total War
(PC)
10 (9) Pokemon Leaf Green
(GBA)
11 (11) The Simpsons: Hit and Run
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)
12 (NE) Shark Tale
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)
13 (10) Def Jam Fight for NY
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube)
14 (NE) Crash Twinsanity
(PS2, Xbox)
15 (12) Need for Speed Underground
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)
16 (RE) Sonic Heroes
(PS2, Xbox)
17 (NE) Donkey Konga
(Gamecube)
18 (20) Finding Nemo
(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)
19 (16) Conflict Vietnam
(PS2, Xbox, PC)
20 (14) Colin McRae Rally 2005
(PS2, Xbox, PC)

The clash of the football titans was a close call indeed, with only a difference of 1500 in the number of units sold, but Pro Evolution Soccer 4 takes the silverware by toppling FIFA 2005 in its debut week.

PES4 turned in a stunning performance and is responsible for gifting PS2 its highest software market share since the end of 2003. In fact, PES4 notched up the third biggest UK launch ever, even bettering such prestigious football rivals as Championship Manager 4's impressive PC debut and FIFA 2005's PS2 performance last week.

Pro Evolution Soccer has always been the best footie game out there since its creation but has suffered somewhat due to the lack of an official licence. Hopefully, the scales have finally fallen from the gaming public's eyes for good.

Other notable movers and shakers include Tony Hawk's Underground 2 grinding out a three place jump to third spot after last week's debut at seven. Games for younger players also do well as Activision's Shark Tale does a salmon-leap from 22 up to 12 and Vivendi's Crash Twinsanity does even better by notching up an 11 position hike to 14.

Don't expect the charts to change significantly next week as the only major-ish release is LMA Manager 2005. However, we look on the continued battle for football supremacy with interest. Can PES4 hold on to its lead or will FIFA 2005's multi-format formation prove too strong?

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