PS3 breaks records in Aus

Retail spending has rocketed in Australia, all thanks to the launch of PlayStation 3, GamesIndustry.biz is reporting.

According to data trackers Gfk, this record boost was unseen at either Xbox 360 or Wii launches.

"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," said 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."

The all-formats game chart was also dominated by the launch of the new console, with an incredible nine out of ten spots taken up by PS3 titles - Final Fantasy XII for PS2 being the only party pooper.

Resistance: Fall of Man leads the bunch, followed closely by MotorStorm and F1. Call of Duty blasted in at fourth place, Final Fantasy XII in fifth, Need for Speed: Carbon sixth, and Ridge Racer 7 in seven, brilliantly.

Smashing faces at eight was Fight Night Round 3, followed by Virtua Fighter 5 at nine, which left the rather ace Virtua Tennis 3 rounding out the chart at number ten.

"Following a great launch for the PS3 across the country, it's 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," said Michael Ephraim, managing director of SCE Australia.

Good news all round, then.