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While the status of top-selling 3DS game was assured for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds in its début week, where it would stack up in the UK all-format chart was in far greater doubt. The Xbox One launched in various territories worldwide — including the UK — on the same day as the 3DS title, so plenty of multi-platform titles had a boost due to One versions, as well as a number of major exclusives for the new system.

Against this onslaught of new hardware and eager day one buyers, A Link Between Worlds has achieved a reasonable 9th place in the all-format results, with six of the top ten being big-name multi-platform titles. Of the new single-format releases the 3DS entry is third, behind One titles Forza Motorsport 5 and Dead Rising 3; Nintendo's title did finish ahead of Crytek's Ryse: Son of Rome. Momentum may be interesting, with Zelda titles perhaps being considered as "evergreen" while launch releases are often less so — however, the PS4 launches in the UK this week, bringing further competition to the table.

A number of other 3DS titles make an appearance, the best performer being Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy in 18th place; Pokémon X & Y stick together once again in 20th and 21st (X wins the face-off) while Animal Crossing: New Leaf is 23rd. Going further down the list we have Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask in 35th, Luigi's Mansion 2 in 37th and Mario Kart 7 in 39th. Multi-format Nintendo exclusives are also in the lower reaches, with Monster High: 13 Wishes in 30th and DS / 3DS game Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed rounding off the top 40.

Wii U exclusive appearances are limited, once again, to New Super Luigi U (29th) and New Super Mario Bros. U (31st) — once again bundles such as the Mario Mega Bundle will be playing a part in those results. Next week will bring Super Mario 3D World to the UK and Europe as a whole, with Nintendo clearly hoping that it'll help deliver a boost in hardware sales.

With the PS4 arriving next week it'll be interesting to see how Zelda holds up, where Mario makes his début, and the momentum of those Xbox One launch titles. The shopping season is getting serious.

[source ukie.info]