Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been at or around the top of the weekly retail sales charts in the UK since it launched nearly a year ago (as it has been in most other regions). It topped last week’s charts as well, and so it has done once more this week (via GamesIndustry).

In fact, much of the top 10 is dominated by Nintendo Switch games. Exclusives like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (at No. 2), Super Mario 3D All-Stars (No. 8), New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (No. 9), and Ring Fit Adventure (No. 10) all figure in the top 10. Meanwhile, the Switch version of Minecraft is placed fifth. Just Dance 2021 occupies third place, and though that is, of course, a multiplatform title, 87% of its sales came on the Switch.

Total physical software sales in the UK for the year so far as up 27.4% from the same period in 2020, and much of that is down to software sales on the Switch. Switch software sales, in fact, are up 120% year-to-date.

Finally, GTA 5 at No. 4, FIFA 21 at No. 6, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at No. 7 round out the top 10. You can see the full top 10 for the week ending January 16 below.

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
3. Just Dance 2021
4. Grand Theft Auto 5
5. Minecraft (Switch)
6. FIFA 21
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
8. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
9. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
10. Ring Fit Adventure

It was a quiet week for boxed video game sales in the UK, as per data provided by UKIE/GSD (via GamesIndustry). Bandai Namco and CyberConnect2’s anime action RPG Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, which topped charts on its debut last week, remained on top for its second week on the market, in spite of a 63 per cent drop in sales. It managed to hold off Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, with the shooter settling for second place, though only 400 units separated both games’ sales numbers for the week.

While the top 10 is dominated by the usual suspects like FIFA 20, Grand Theft Auto 5, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Minecraft, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and more, it is outside of the top 10 that the more interesting stuff happened last week for boxed game sales in the UK. For instance, The Witcher 3, buoyed by the incredible popularity of the Netflix series, has seen a consistent rise in sales in recent weeks, and has managed to climb all the way up to No. 12.

Meanwhile, Big Ben Interactive’s Rugby 20 is the only new release this week. It debuts at No. 13, which is a step up over its predecessor, Rugby 18, which failed to break into the top 40. Rugby 20 has enjoyed around 25 per cent more physical sales than its predecessor at launch.

You can check out the full top 10 for the week ending January 25 below.

1. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
3. FIFA 20
4. Grand Theft Auto 5
5. Just Dance 2020
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
7. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
8. Minecraft
9. Luigi’s Mansion 3
10. Mario & Sonic At The Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

Google has announced all of the titles that Stadia, its game streaming platform, will launch with. A total of 12 games will be available with 14 more titles coming by 2019 end. The list includes big names like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Destiny 2: Collection, Mortal Kombat 11 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Check out the full launch line-up below:

• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Ubisoft)
• Destiny 2: The Collection (Bungie)
• GYLT (TequilaWorks)
• Just Dance 2020 (Ubisoft)
• Kine (Gwen Frey)
• Mortal Kombat 11 (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Games)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (Square Enix)
• Samurai Shodown (SNK)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Square Enix)
• Thumper (Drool)
• Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Square Enix)

Titles that are slated to arrive for the service before the year is out include:

• Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle (Koei Tecmo)
• Borderlands 3 (2K Games)
• Darksiders Genesis (THQ Nordic)
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Bandai Namco)
• Farming Simulator 19 (Focus Home Interactive)
• Final Fantasy 15 (Square Enix)
• Football Manager 2020 (Sega)
• Ghost Recon: Breakpoint (Ubisoft)
• GRID (Codemasters)
• Metro Exodus (Deep Silver)
• NBA 2K20 (2K Games)
• RAGE 2 (Bethesda Softworks)
• Trials Rising (Ubisoft)
• Wolfenstein: Youngblood (Bethesda Softworks)

It’s worth noting that those who purchased the Founder’s Edition of Google Stadia will receive a three month subscription to Stadia Pro. This enables playing Destiny 2: Collection, which includes the latest expansion Shadowkeep, at no additional cost. Though free games will be added to the service overtime, customers will still need to buy games to play them.

Releasing on November 19th, Stadia’s main selling point is the lack of any dedicated hardware and the ability to play games anywhere. Google also promises that games on Stadia will feel faster and more responsive than they would on local hardware in the coming years. Head here for 12 things you need to know about the service before picking it up at launch.

Spirit of the North

Developed by Infuse Studio and releasing for PS4, Spirit of the North is a mellow tale of exploration. It sees a red fox meeting a fox spirit who acts as the Northern Lights’ guardian. Together, you’ll explore the mysterious landscape, traversing meadows and caves inspired by Iceland, and attempt to solve the world’s mystery. Beautiful, relaxing and wholly intriguing, Spirit of the North is out on November 1^st.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Initially met with skepticism, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has had some fairly positive pre-launch impressions. The story revolves around Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66 and lives in secrecy. Of course, that doesn’t last for long and the Empire’s Inquistorius, namely the Second Sister, are after his life. With gameplay reminiscent of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Force powers and a variety of planets to explore, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order could be a dark horse. It’s out on November 15^th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Pokemon Sword and Shield

Game Freak’s eighth generation Pokemon title travels to the Galar Region with numerous stadiums and giant Pokemon created by Gigantamaxing (who naturally battle). As usual, your job will be to scour the region, take on gym leaders and ultimately challenge in the Champions Cup. There are open space areas that players are free to explore along with co-op raid bosses to topple and new Pokemon to collect. Pokemon Sword and Shield releases on November 15^th for the Nintendo Switch and the hype is very much real.

Shenmue 3

It’s been a long, long wait for Shenmue 3, the next chapter in Yu Suzuki’s long-running saga. And while there have been ups, downs and delays, the sequel is on track to release on November 19^th for PS4 and PC. Protagonist Ryu Hazuki continues his quest to hunt down Lan Di, his father’s killer, venturing to Bailu Village, Choubu and Baisha in China. With various mini-games, numerous NPCs to talk to, underground fights, training and much more to explore, Shenmue 3 promises to be a worthy follow-up to the series.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts

After the open world slump of Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts is moving back to more mission-based gameplay. Set in Siberia, players will take on contracts to hunt targets, completing bonus objectives for more money. Sniping is still king and the new Dynamic Reticle System promises a realistic experience, though you also get sniper turrets and drones (because of course sniper turrets are a thing). Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts arrives on November 22^nd for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Need for Speed Heat

Electronic Arts has been rather reserved in its marketing for Need for Speed Heat, which introduces the Miami-inspired Palm City as the player’s latest racing playground. Nevertheless, the emphasis is back on street racing and evading the cop. There’s an interesting mechanic where racing during the day rewards money and upgrades but racing in the night rewards rep. Night races are illegal though so you’ll have to evade the cops and return to a safehouse for those rep gains. With 127 cars and no Speedcards, Need for Speed Heat might be worth checking out when it releases on November 8th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC)

Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming to PC, which is a big deal given how the game’s visuals could look even better than they do already. Along with improved graphics, PC players can also look forward to new weapons, bounty missions, gang hideouts and more. Though it won’t be available on Steam until December, you can pick it up on the Humble Store, Epic Games Store and Rockstar Games launcher on November 5^th.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Mario and Sonic compete, once again, to prove their sporting prowess. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 does look better than previous collaborations. It boasts higher production values and some very cool new features like Classic 2D Events where 2D sprites of the cast compete across 10 events. There also Dream Events like hoverboarding, karate and much more to keep you busy. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is out on November 5^th for Nintendo Switch.

Death Stranding

Regardless of where you stand, there’s no denying that the release of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is a momentous occasion. Taking place in the future, the story focuses on Sam Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, as he ventures the country to reconnect its cities following a great disaster. Along the way, he’ll deal with eerie entities known as the B.T.s and the enigmatic Cliff played by Mads Mikkelsen. Death Stranding has looked gorgeous so far thanks to the Decima Engine – with its release for PS4 on November 8^th, we’ll soon find out exactly what it has to offer.

Just Dance 2020

Ubisoft’s next title in the Just Dance series is out on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii, PS4 and Xbox One on November 5^th (with a launch on Google Stadia as well). Yes, we almost forgot about it as well but as a game to play with friends and family, the Just Dance series works pretty well. Just Dance 2020 will continue this trend with songs like Bangarang from Skrillex, Kill This Love by Blackpink and of course, the universally loved and not at all loathed Baby Shark by Pinkfong.

After Square Enix confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Marvel’s Avengers would have playable demos at Gamescom, Ubisoft has announced its line-up for the show as well. Check out the snazzy trailer below to see what’s in store. Playable titles will include Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Rainbow Six Siege with its latest content, and Roller Champions (PC-only).

Interestingly, Watch Dogs: Legion will also be at the show, but as a “theater demonstration”. Perhaps we can expect new gameplay footage, showcasing some of the other mechanics in store (though how Ubisoft plans to top “Play as any NPC” remains to be seen). The latest content for Brawlhalla, Just Dance 2020, and Trials Rising will also be showcased.

As Ubisoft EMEA executive director Alain Corre states, “Gamescom is a celebration of games and gamers that Ubisoft is always happy to be a part of. This year, players will have the opportunity to interact with our teams and get a first look into the future of technologies such as streaming and the impact they will have on our industry. It’s an exciting moment, not only for us as creators, but also for players to discover more about the experiences we are developing.”

Gamescom takes place from August 20th to 24th with an Opening Night Live ceremony hosted by Geoff Keighley. Other companies scheduled to make announcements include Bungie, Activision, Google Stadia, Epic Games, and so on. There will also be an “exclusive new look” for Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding, which is no longer listed as a PS4 exclusive on the PlayStation Australia site. Official announcement of a PC version? Stay tuned in the coming weeks to find out.