With Injustice 2 having released last week amid plenty of positive reviews, it looks like the critical reception for NetherRealm Studios' DC Comics-inspired fighting game helped in part to propel the title to the top of the UK game sales charts to debut at number one. For those unaware, this kind of success for the franchise has been achieved before, as its predecessor Injustice: Gods Among Us also became the highest selling title within its first week of availability back in 2013.
As it happens, it looks as if Injustice 2's showing on the sales charts is the first instance of a fighting game to take the number one slot in the UK since the release of 2015’s Mortal Kombat X which was also developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive. Bearing this in mind, it stands to reason that either the companies have a rabid fan base, know how to make an outstanding fighting game that appeals to plenty of gamers, or it could be a combination of the two.
Interestingly enough, the closest competition to taking the number one spot away from Injustice 2 was not a standard console release, but instead a VR game, as Sony's and Impulse Gear's Farpoint managed to snag the second spot just behind the fighting game. For those unaware, this officially marks the highest sales ranking on the charts so far when it comes to virtual reality titles, so perhaps with more time and refinements to the technology, VR releases will stand a sporting chance against its console competitors.
Not too surprisingly, Grand Theft Auto 5 remains on the charts as well, as it retains a firm foothold in the market, with its sales giving it the number three spot. Last week's top dog, on the other hand, Prey, fell from number one to four, while the new entry of the Nintendo 3DS title Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia comes in fifth, rounding out the top five.
- Injustice 2
- Farpoint
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- Prey
- Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- FIFA 17
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
- Rocket League
- The Surge
While Injustice 2 remains steady at the top of the UK sales charts for now, it will be interesting to see if any of this week's releases are able to best the superhero fighting game in terms of sales. As of now, it doesn't seem like there are too many major Triple-A candidates with the clout to topple NetherRealm's title based in the DC Universe, but with Illfonic and Gun Media's Friday the 13th: The Game coming out this Friday, it's quite possible that the horror release could murder the competition once it releases and make its way to the top of the charts.
Injustice 2 is available now for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Source: Chart-Track