via cvg

Christmas '06 has proved to be the biggest ever for UK games, with game sales up nearly 10 percent compared to the same time last year and a staggering 30 percent in the week before Christmas - according to MCV

EA benefited most from the festive game-buying explosion, with Need for Speed: Carbon pushing the retail charge and FIFA '07 following closely behind. The Christmas period finishes off a successful year for the publishing giant, where it managed to grace the UK top spot a total of 26 times throughout 2006.

Meanwhile Nintendo's Wii saw a resurgence in sales over the holiday period, as hardware finally managed to trickle back into UK shops. Flagship launch title Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess climbed up to number 11 in the top 40, While Ubisoft's Rayman and Red Steel re-entered at 32 and 34 respectively.