UK charts: Soulcalibur IV fighting fit

By Robert Purchese Published 5 August, 2008

Fastest-selling in series. Full top 40 inside.

Soulcalibur IV has battled to the top of the UK all-formats chart this week, becoming the fastest-selling game ever in the fighting series.

The title (we're using publisher Ubisoft's spelling, before you put the dogs on us) also becomes only the second in the series to hold the top spot, after Soulcalibur II held the lead for a week back in 2003.

PS2 sales of Soulcalibur II were dwarfed by PS3 sales of Soulcalibur IV by more than three to one, although Xbox 360 took the lion's share of the latter with 56 per cent of the money-pie.

The popularity of this latest instalment could be put down to a ballsy early August release after a barren patch on the release schedule, or perhaps the inclusion of Star Wars favourites Yoda and Darth Vader. Our Soulcalibur IV review will fill you in on the rest.

Elsewhere in the charts it was business as usual; Wii Fit surged in sales but slipped to two, Mario Kart Wii held on at three, Wall-E stuttered at four and Big Beach Sports leapt from 10 to five.

Wii Play extends an age-defying sales record at six, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympics proves you can launch the November before your mimicked sporting event and still be on the blocks for the starting gun. Test its wee.

Then comes Brain Training, followed by former chart-topper LEGO Indiana Jones dropping from five to 10.

Elsewhere are few surprises; perhaps Need for Speed: ProStreet speeding from 40 to 28, or the reappearance of LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga at 31.

This week waves goodbye to Alone in the Dark, which should reappear in November with the arrival of the rumoured-to-be-improved PS3 version.

  1. Soulcalibur IV (Xbox 360, PS3)
  2. Wii Fit (Wii)
  3. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
  4. WALL-E (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
  5. Big Beach Sports (Wii)
  6. Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
  7. Wii Play (Wii)
  8. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii, DS)
  9. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
  10. LEGO Indiana Jones (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
  11. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PC, DS)
  12. Kung Fu Panda (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS)
  13. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
  14. Carnival: Funfair Games (Wii)
  15. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, DS)
  16. Battlefield: Bad Company (Xbox 360, PS3)
  17. Sports Party (Wii)
  18. More Brain Training (DS)
  19. FIFA 08 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, PS2, DS, PSP)
  20. Beijing 2008 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
  21. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, Xbox 360)
  22. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
  23. Top Spin 3 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii)
  24. The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
  25. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PC, DS, PSP)
  26. Ben 10: Protector of Earth (Wii, DS, PS2, PSP)
  27. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
  28. Need For Speed ProStreet (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
  29. Cooking Mama 2 (Wii, DS)
  30. Mario Kart DS (DS)
  31. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS)
  32. SEGA Superstars Tennis (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS)
  33. Sight Training (DS)
  34. Race Driver: GRID (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
  35. Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Wii, DS)
  36. Tiger Woods PGA Tour '08 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
  37. Cooking Mama (DS)
  38. Football Manager 2008 (PC, Xbox 360)
  39. Sports Island (Wii)
  40. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii)
Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • bad09 #1 4 years ago

    When I tried to get SC4 Saturday and it was sold out everywhere! (managed to get the last PS3 copy in my area). Rightly so to, it's bloody awesome!

    Apparently as well (according to one store owner) retailers have been naughty and selling copies early all week (gasp!)

  • berelain #2 4 years ago

    "Sales of Soulcalibur IV PS2 dwarfed sales of the PS3 version by more than three to one, but Xbox 360 took the lion's share with 56 per cent of the money-pie."

    There's a PS2 version? :o

    Actually, I'm a little surprised that the PS3 version didn't sell better, ith its Darth Vaderyness. I went for the 360 version, though.

  • Darren #3 4 years ago

    "Sales of Soulcalibur IV PS2 dwarfed sales of the PS3 version by more than three to one..."

    Eh... this game is available on the PS2...? :?

  • Darren #4 4 years ago

    @berelain - Not only are they more Xbox 360 owners than PS3 ones in the UK but I'd imagine many owners of both, like me, would have opted for the 360 version on the basis that it was going to slightly better technically, controller preference and/or has Achievements. Darth Vader/Yoda are heavily rumoured to be available as DLC in the near future although I've also heard that the save game for Star Wars: Force Unleashed will unlock them.

  • berelain #5 4 years ago

    @ Darren - oh, i completely agree, and I did the same... I just thought this might show a bti of a turn in the tide, particularly given the barren fighting game landscape on the PS3.

    Interesting about the Force Unleashed save idea, I hadn't heard that one.

    Still baffled by the PS2 comment, though. Care to explain? Anyone? Please??

  • Darren #6 4 years ago

    @berelain - Well I guess there just aren't enough PS3 owners in the UK to make the same impact but at least those people that did buy the game can rest assured that their version is every bit as good as the 360 version for a change.

  • bad09 #7 4 years ago

    I wonder when they will release the characters, I'm a little gutted I can't play around with the little green fella (that sounds wrong!).

    Still I couldn't come home empty handed and according to most reviews the games is identical, so Mr Vadar it was.

  • Darren #8 4 years ago

    @berelain - I think the PS2 comment is perhaps referring to the fact that sales of Soulcalibur II on that machine were three times that of the latest PS3 version. It isn't referring to the 360 version since it goes on to say that 56% of sales were for the that iteration which is almost 50:50 not 3:1. I think someone at EG needs to do more proof-reading before posting... the number of mistakes seems to be approaching CVG proportions (and that's bad!).

  • rauper Verified Managing Director, Eurogamer Network #9 4 years ago

    I can't remember the last time the chart has been so dominated by Nintendo (DS/Wii) stuff! Crazy.

  • bad09 #10 4 years ago

    I had PS2 SC2 and remember really wanting spawn from Xbox but PS2 got heihachi which was a little cooler :)

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #11 4 years ago

    The popularity of this latest instalment could be put down to a ballsy early August release after a barren patch on the release schedule, or perhaps the inclusion of Star Wars favourites Yoda and Darth Vader.

    Well, I bought it for swordfighting and titties.

  • Ranger101 #12 4 years ago

    That's a sorry looking Top 40.

  • Ranger101 #13 4 years ago

    Also, do EG now have a policy getting drunk before posting these days - the quality of writing has been sub-standard! Tom "Editor" Bramwell/Ellie "Deputy" Gibson, get those words in order!

  • bad09 #14 4 years ago

    "The popularity of this latest instalment could be put down to a ballsy early August release after a barren patch on the release schedule, or perhaps the inclusion of Star Wars favourites Yoda and Darth Vader.


    I found that statement a little odd TBH, SC being a VERY popular beat 'em up series for a long time might have something more to do with sales than a quiet release schedule Rob, but I'm sure SW did help a little ;)

  • CallousB #15 4 years ago

    Top 40 by format

    01 (01) [WII] Wii Fit (Nintendo)
    02 (02) [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
    03 (__) [360] Soulcalibur Iv (Ubisoft)
    04 (07) [WII] Big Beach Sports (Thq)
    05 (03) [NDS] Guitar Hero: On Tour (Activision Blizzard)
    06 (__) [PS3] Soulcalibur Iv (Ubisoft)
    07 (04) [WII] Wii Play (Nintendo)
    08 (06) [NDS] Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (Nintendo)
    09 (05) [WII] Super Smash Bros: Brawl (Nintendo)
    10 (10) [WII] Carnival: Funfair Games (Take 2)
    11 (08) [WII] Sports Party (Ubisoft)
    12 (09) [NDS] Wall-e (Thq)
    13 (15) [NDS] More Brain Training From Dr Kawashima (Nintendo)
    14 (12) [WII] Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games (Sega)
    15 (13) [NDS] Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games (Sega)
    16 (11) [PS3] Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots (Konami)
    17 (14) [360] Battlefield: Bad Company (Electronic Arts)
    18 (24) [NDS] New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
    19 (26) [WII] Guitar Hero Iii: Legends Of Rock (Activision Blizzard)
    20 (29) [NDS] Kung Fu Panda (Activision Blizzard)
    21 (16) [NDS] Cooking Mama 2 (505 Games)
    22 (25) [360] Grand Theft Auto Iv (Take 2)
    23 (21) [NDS] Mario Kart Ds (Nintendo)
    24 (40) [NDS] Sight Training (Nintendo)
    25 (20) [WII] Wall-e (Thq)
    26 (__) [WII] Sports Island (Konami)
    27 (30) [PS3] Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision Blizzard)
    28 (19) [NDS] Lego Indiana Jones: Original Adventures (Lucasarts)
    29 (22) [360] Beijing 2008 (Sega)
    30 (38) [WII] Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Ubisoft)
    31 (18) [NDS] Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Darkness (Nintendo)
    32 (31) [PS3] Beijing 2008 (Sega)
    33 (__) [360] Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision Blizzard)
    34 (17) [NDS] Touchmaster (Midway)
    35 (32) [PS2] Wall-e (Thq)
    36 (23) [NDS] Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What To Eat? (Nintendo)
    37 (28) [NDS] Imagine: Babies (Ubisoft)
    38 (27) [NDS] Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Time (Nintendo)
    39 (__) [NDS] 42 All-time Classics (Nintendo)
    40 (37) [WII] Game Party (Midway)

  • Dizzy #16 4 years ago

    "Sales of Soulcalibur IV PS2 dwarfed sales of the PS3 version by more than three to one"

    ????

  • nickthegun #17 4 years ago

    I bought SCIV on the PS2.

    Im surprised you guys didnt see it. I got it from tescos.

  • SeesThroughAll #18 4 years ago

    So, are people surprised that a game sells more on a console with a user base of 120 million than on a console owned by roughly 15 million?
    Edited by 1 at 05/08/08 @ 10:01

  • Gnort #19 4 years ago

    Always good to see a fighting game do well on the charts, there are so few of them left now.

    Personally, I hate the inclusion of the Star Wars characters, I bought the game despite them, not because of them.

  • FooAtari #20 4 years ago

    "So, are people surprised that a game sells more on a console with a user base of 120 million than on a console owned by roughly 15 million? "

    2 years after the PS3's release it's kind of surprising. The PS3 gets all the focus from the media yet it continues to be outsold by the PS2 and apparently games can sell better on it as well.

    As for the top 40, it's doesn't look that great. Is that due to time of year of a gradual shift in the gaming market...
    Edited by 1 at 05/08/08 @ 10:10

  • Goodfella #21 4 years ago

    Hmm, I can find no trace of a PS2 version at all. Someone is confused.

  • Darren #22 4 years ago

    There is NO PS2 version... EG made a mistake. I think they meant to say the Soulcalibur 2 on the PS2 outsold Soulcalibur IV on the PS3 by more than three to one in its first week... something like that.

  • miiiguel #23 4 years ago

    It's to increase the sociability level of the site (and the post count). It's alright EG, it's alright... there...

  • Whizzo #24 4 years ago

    For the real situation about how well the PS3 version has sold versus the PS2 exclusive predecessor go straight to Chart-Track themselves.

    Rob appears to have been at the sherry when he typed this up!

  • SeesThroughAll #25 4 years ago

    From Whizzo's link:

    "It has been almost 3 years since ‘SoulCalibur III’ was launched, only on PS2. Released on Xbox 360 and PS3 the long-anticipated sequel is the fastest selling in the franchise with the PS3 version outselling it’s PS2 predecessor’s launch week by more than 3 to 1. It is the fastest selling traditional beat-em up game to be launched on either PS3 or Xbox 360 (56% of sales were on Microsoft’s format) and marks a mini-revival for the genre after the recent success of Nintendo’s ‘Super Smash Bros. Brawl’ on Wii."

    Ok, I guess EG should correct the article then.

  • macmurphy #26 4 years ago

    Schoolboy error but

    'Test its wee'

    Pure Eurogamer gold.

  • Steroyd #27 4 years ago

    The PS2 did what now?

    Oh I see the sentence is backwards, to what really happened?

    And is 56% really a lions share?

    Tune in next week for more chart track, same time, same place, different editor. :p

  • Darren #28 4 years ago

    @Steroyd - A lion's share would be 3:1 IMO but 56% for the 360 and 44% for the PS3 versions is almost a 50:50 split in sales. I guess that's another 'schoolboy' error by EG really. ;)

  • miiiguel #29 4 years ago

    "And is 56% really a lions share?"
    Of course not, 44 is. Bad biased EG!

    /puts tin foil hat/

  • robson_wii #30 4 years ago

    I would like to see SCIV on the Wii as the GC version of SCII was excellent. If a PS2 version is available why not Wii?

    Glad Wii fit is still doing well. At the rate it's selling even the obese kids might be fit in time for 2012

  • bad09 #31 4 years ago

    @ robson_wii

    SC4 is not on PS2 it's a mistake. I don't think the Wii could handle SC4 TBH but the Wii is getting a version of SC, in September I think, some one correct me if I'm wrong.

  • Beek4257 #32 4 years ago

    "PS2 sales of Soulcalibur II were dwarfed by PS3 sales of Soulcalibur IV by more than three to one..."

    Ah, it's all starting to make sense now.

  • SeesThroughAll #33 4 years ago

    And is 56% really a lions share?

    Yes, it is. Lion's share = most.

    Let's not get anal here.

    @ bad_09: Isn't there a PSP version being developed too?
    Edited by 1 at 05/08/08 @ 13:34

  • bad09 #34 4 years ago

    @ SeesThroughAll

    Well looking at Play.com there is no PSP version coming soon so not sure.

    Oh and a game called SC: Legends is indeed coming to Wii end of August so don't worry Wii only owners your souls will still burn!

    By the way, who else has been a pervert and made bikini clad fighters? I made a Ivy style (of course) and a Voldo style which is frighteningly appealing! ;)

  • Dr.Mott #35 4 years ago

    I still haven't bought this yet. I'm thinking 360, because of the achievements and it might be slightly better technically, but PS3 has a much better D-Pad and Darth Vader.

    Decisions, decisions.

  • bad09 #36 4 years ago

    Er sorry Wii guys it looks like your game is a different animal....

    SC Legends



  • IronGiant #37 4 years ago

    This has done well purely because there's bugger all else new out!!

  • Rash' #38 4 years ago

    I watched the comparison vid on Gametrailers for this game and the technical advantages some are keen to vocalise here, aren't obivously apparent.

  • Sid-Nice #39 4 years ago

    Yes it is time to celebrate the fantastic sales of Soul Calibur IV; wait a minute! The game on the Xbox 360 failed to outsell Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii two games that were released back in April and the PS3 version sales were eclipsed by Big Beach Sports FFS.

    I think it is time for the so called hardcore gamers to go out and buy Soul Calibur IV instead of writing childish comments on internet forums claiming “The Wii is shit.” Seeing crap like Big Beach Sports outselling SC IV makes me ask this question to those who haven’t bought the game “What’s within your soul?

  • ZuluHero #40 4 years ago

    This has done well purely because there's bugger all else new out!!

    ...and the fact that it is a good game has nothing to do with it? :S

  • Lotek #41 4 years ago

    This game is poor................. that's all i have to say......................


  • robson_wii #42 4 years ago

    @bad09
    Thanks for the details.