EA dominates No.1 chart position throughout '06

Electronic Arts made the number one chart position its home during 2006, with 27 weeks at number one - leaving rival publishers struggling under the weight of franchises such as FIFA.

FIFA 07, FIFA Street 2 and 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany spent a collective 17 weeks in the top position, while Need for Speed Carbon and its predecessor Need for Speed Most Wanted shared eight weeks at number one in 2006.

It wasn't just familiar franchises that managed to claim the coveted spot for EA, with new IP Black and the game based on Mario Puzo's The Godfather both managing a short stint at number one.

The closest any other publishers got to EA's triumphant performance was six number ones each for THQ and Take 2.

Securing the All Formats number one spot in July, THQ then spent the entire month of August parked at the top with movie tie-in Cars - only to knock itself back down the charts with the release of Saints Row at the beginning of September.

Take 2's powerhouse franchise Grand Theft Auto spent five weeks at the top with the PSP's Liberty City Stories, and a solitary week at number one with Xbox 360 exclusive The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

UK publisher Eidos saw strong performance with the return of Lara Croft and Agent 47, as Tomb Raider: Legends and Hitman: Blood Money spent a collective five weeks at the top of the charts earlier in the year.

Lucas Arts enjoyed modest success with two weeks in the spotlight for Lego Star Wars: The Original Trilogy, while Microsoft scored two solitary number one hits with Dead or Alive 4 way back in January, and Gears of War knocking EA of the top in November.

Elsewhere throughout 2006, a number of publishers managed a single week in the number one position, including Konami (Pro Evolution Soccer 6), Sega (Football Manager 2007), Capcom (Dead Rising) and Sony (Shadow of the Colossus).