UK Chart: The Sims 2 knocks Burnout 3 from the top

Electronic Arts' hugely anticipated sequel The Sims 2 has gone in at number one in the UK software charts, knocking another EA title, Burnout 3, from the top spot and becoming the second fastest selling PC title of all time.

Although Burnout 3 only spent a single week at number one, it still makes an incredibly strong showing this week, with sales actually up 32 per cent on the PS2 version of the game as good reviews and word of mouth spread for the title.

The Sims 2, meanwhile, surprised nobody with its number one debut - it is, after all, the sequel to the best selling PC game of all time. However, Championship Manager 4 remains the fastest selling PC game ever in the UK, with The Sims 2 only taking second place in that all-time ranking.

Elsewhere in the chart, Capcom's Resident Evil: Outbreak (PS2) came in at number four, with its launch apparently largely unaffected by the company's decision to remove the online functionality of the game for the European market.

Five other new releases make it into the top 40 ranking, signalling the start of the Christmas rush which will see a slew of major titles being launched almost every Friday between now and late December.

THQ's WWE: Day of Reckoning (Cube) is at number ten this week, having been released a couple of weeks earlier than originally planned, while Konami's Silent Hill 4: The Room slides in behind it at number 11 and Madden NFL 2005 is at number 18.

Square Enix' Final Fantasy XI, which is co-published in Europe by Ubisoft, is at number 25 in the ranking - a fairly decent debut for a massively multiplayer title - while Koei's Dynasty Warriors: Empires is at number 31 in the ranking.

This week should see a few interesting titles rolling out, although admittedly it's not quite as packed a schedule as last week's was. Expect strong performances from Activision's PC duo of Call of Duty: United Offensive and Rome: Total War, while THQ's Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War has also been making noise among strategy fans of late.

On consoles, Codemasters' Colin McRae Rally 2005 should be with us on PS2, Xbox and PC, while Star Wars Battlefront is also down for launch across those three platforms, and Cube fans can finally get their hands on cult favourite Animal Crossing.