WWE 2K23 Takes the Top Spot in UK Boxed Charts, Ending Hogwarts Legacy's Reign

The five-week dominance of Hogwarts Legacy as the UK's best-selling physical video game has come to an end, with WWE 2K23 ascending to the top position. The launch sales of 2K's game were 26% lower than those of its predecessor, WWE 2K22. This decline may be attributed to the fact that WWE 2K22 was the first title in the series in over two years, potentially resulting in strong pent-up demand from fans. It is essential to note that these figures only account for physical sales, and digital sales may help bridge the gap. In terms of platform distribution, 53% of boxed sales were on PS5, followed by 23% on PS4, 15% on Xbox Series S and X, and 9% on Xbox One. The Xbox Series figure is expected to increase once digital data becomes available, partly due to the strong sales of the digital-only Xbox Series S console. Hogwarts Legacy has dropped to second place with a 24% decline in sales, while FIFA 23 holds the third position with a 26% decrease in sales. The next two titles, both for Nintendo Switch, have experienced a rise in sales. Mario Kart 8: Deluxe saw a 3% increase in sales but still fell to fourth place. Notably, Metroid Prime: Remastered, at fifth place, achieved a 24% increase in sales in its third week, a rare feat for a recently launched game, particularly one targeting a hardcore audience. It is worth considering that the game was released on Nintendo's digital store in February, and although Nintendo does not share digital sales figures, the title has been available through other channels for a longer period. Super Mario Odyssey has re-entered the Top Ten at ninth place, following the launch of a new Nintendo Switch hardware bundle coinciding with the upcoming Super Mario Bros movie. Odyssey's sales increased by 55% last week and a further 40% this week. Other new releases include Nintendo's Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, which debuts at 21st place, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Azure by NIS America at 24th, and Signalis from Humble Games at 27th. The GfK UK Boxed Top Ten for the week ending March 18, 2023, is as follows: