PlayStation 3 causes record retail spike in Australia

New figures released by Sony Computer Entertainment Australia have revealed that more than 27,000 PlayStation 3 units were sold in the region during the first ten days after launch.

As reported by IT Wire, PS3 also dominated the all-formats software sales chart for the week commencing March 19. Nine out of the top ten titles were PS3 games, with Resistance: Fall of Man at number one followed by Motorstorm and F1.

Activision's Call of Duty was in fourth place, while PlayStation 2 exclusive Final Fantasy XII - the only non-PS3 title in the chart - was at number five. Need for Speed: Carbon and Ridge Racer 7 went in at six and seven followed by Fight Night Round 3 and Virtua Fighter 5, with Virtua Tennis rounding out the chart at number ten.

According to data trackers GfK, the launch of PS3 on March 23 resulted in a significant boost in videogame sales for the Australian market. "Our data revealed that in a matter of just ten days the PlayStation 3 created a spike in retail spending not previously witnessed at the launch of any other console in Australia," commented GfK's Daniel Morse.

"This spending continued into the second week of trading, resulting in sales of 27,083 PlayStation 3 consoles in just ten days."

SCE Australia managing director Michael Ephraim added, "Following a great launch for the PS3 across the country, itâs very satisfying for us to see that our close planning with retail and channel partners has ensured that all consumers wanting to get their hands on a PS3."

The PS3's predecessor is also continuing to sell well in Australia, with nearly 8000 PlayStation 2 consoles sold between March 19 and March 26.