While the UK awaits the PS3, another game console has been busy winning a good deal of consumer interest, with evidence shown in a recent poll conducted by Amazon.co.uk–Amazon’s UK branch. According to the online retail giant, the Nintendo Wii was the most requested item in online searches in 2006, with over 300,000 searches in just the span of one week during the Christmas holidays, according to MCV.
The Amazon report stated, "As systems such as the Nintendo Wii and DS expand the appeal of gaming beyond the traditionally perceived audience of teenage boys, sales of video games on Amazon.co.uk are reflecting a real change in the types of games Brits want."
In addition to the Wii being the most sought after item on the site, an interesting trend was shown concerning the types of video games that were purchased during 2006. Brain Training, Lego Star Wars II, and The Sims 2: Pets ranked as the top three video games for the year and indicated a heavy preference towards non-violent games. Other titles topping the sales charts included Animal Crossing, The Sims 2: Open for Business, New Super Mario Bros., and The Sims 2.
According to Amazon, "2006 saw top-selling violent games of the past, such as Grand Theft Auto and Medal of Honor, replaced by more family-friendly titles with broader appeal." While the report isn’t exactly conclusive evidence that family-oriented games are now the most popular, it does indicate the shopping preferences of the general public in the UK. And if the figures mean anything at all, it seems that less violent games are all the rage across the pond.
