They may be a magnet for bad publicity, but it certainly can't be denied that their franchises sell well. Two of Electronic Arts' games have reached rather high sales, making EA games a high seller on two continents.

In the United States, EA Sports' Madden NFL '07 has sold over 5 million copies across the different consoles. As a result of these figures, a press release EA sent out, they proclaimed Madden to be "North America's most popular game of 2006".

Over in the United Kingdom, it's their underground racing game that's taking up the Electronic Arts banner. Gamasutra reports Need for Speed: Carbon as the new leader of the pack by pushing another EA title, FIFA '07, out of the top spot and into second place.

With best-selling games in two countries, as well as additional games in their lineup in the top ten lists, EA should be quite pleased with their results this year. This is one of EA's best years in the business, making them a company to watch out for yet again in 2007.

Wii fans can rev up their consoles as EA's Need for Speed Carbonhits European stores December 8. The game provides an immersive environment of the most dangerous and adrenaline-burning form of street racing. NFS Carbon for Wii combines the classic Need for Speed controls and Wii's unique controller scheme. The innovative Wiimote allows players to recognize and feel the physics differences between the 50 plus Muscle, Exotic, and Tuner cars, as they use their crew to win Canyon races, customize their cars using Autosculpt, and battle to take control of the streets of Palmont.

Need for Speed shares the spotlight with another title custom designed for the new console: Madden NFL 07. Madden NFL 07 uses an all-new Madden FreeMotion controls to create a new Wii controller-focused experience. The Wii version of the blockbuster title features a number of Wii-exclusive features including:

• Multiplayer mini games designed to support four player gameplay
• New multiplayer enhancements including a multiplayer sprint
• New play calling system designed for basic football fan knowledge
• Madden in-game tutorials on the FreeMotion controls and allow users to practice within the game

Need for Speed Carbon is rated 12+ and Madden NFL 07 is rated 3+ by PEGI.

Admit it, you have the feeling that business analysts make their numbers up. But nobody doubts an Irish bookie, so we'll look at Paddy Power's numbers instead. Yup, bookmaker Paddy Power (PaddyPower.com) has predictions for which games will sell well this Christmas:

• Need for Speed: Carbon 8 - 13
• FIFA 07 4 - 1
• Gears of War 10 - 1
• Eragon 10 - 1
• Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 10 - 1
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 11 - 1
• Tony Hawk Project 8 14 - 1
• Superman Returns 16 - 1
• WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 16 - 1
• Call of Duty 3 20 - 1
• Pro Evolution Soccer 6 20 - 1
• The Sims 2: Pets 20 - 1
• Happy Feet 22 - 1
• Guitar Hero 2 25 - 1
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 33 - 1
• Bratz: Forever Diamonds 80 - 1
• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Party Edition 250 - 1

It's another NFS year. Need for Speed: Carbon is the favourite with odds of 8/13. NFS: Most Wanted took the number one spot last year, while NFS: Underground 2 was the favorite the year before that. Then again, cross-platform games would tend to sell more titles than the single-platform games. (Does that explain why Eragon is up there - we don't know; only a few of us bought the book, and quite a number of us did not buy the game.)

Twilight Princess is up there duking it out with the Xbox 360's Gears of War. Oh. That's a tough one to call right now. If you're a gambling man, you might wanna make a bet, but we won't just yet.

Here are two new gameplay videos for the much-talked about cross-platform game, Need for Speed Carbon. The first vid, "Highlights", shows you pretty much all the reasons why you should get out right now and grab a copy of this game off store shelves. At least, for your Xbox 360. Although, the vid is actually for the PS3.

There's the usual exciting race action, typical of Need for Speed titles, only, that in this one, you won't exactly get off scott-free. Cops are there, and they're out to get you. Customize your rides, and make it the belle of the ball (or something...) with your own choice of spoilers, hoods, rims, the works. Feel the adrenaline rush, along with the wind. Of course, any car action won't be complete without a hot babe telling you to drive.

Meanwhile, the second vid we have here, "Steering", basically is for the Wii version. Inset, you can see how the controls are supposed to go via the Wiimote. And it comes just in time for the launch of both Nintendo's console, and the game's version for it.

The PS3 version is fast on the heels with a launch date set for November 20.

Hot chicks not included.

Just a few days ago, we gave you the final roster of Wii launch titles which boasts of 20 games, including Wii Sports, which will come bundled with the console.

Don't worry, we're not here to report that some of those titles have been pushed back (god forbid!). In fact, we're gonna add two more to that already massive list of launch titles!

As an update to that list we gave you earlier, Need for Speed: Carbon (DS, Xbox360, PS3, Wii, PC) will also be available at launch! Or at least that's what ShackNews reports. They also say that Rapala Tournament Fishing will also be joining that massive list of launch titles.

However, Wii users are gonna have to wait 'til late this month or early December to get their hands on other great Wii games like Elebits, Metal Slug Anthology (Wii, PSP), Super Swing Golf, and others.

You can expect tons of Wii info to come pouring in today so stay tuned for more updates.

With less than two weeks before the multi-platform Need for Speed: Carbon (Xbox360, PS3, PSP, DS, Wii, PC) speeds off onto your much-awaited Wii's, and more importantly, the Wii launch (doh!), we're pretty sure that at this point you're just chilling and finishing up that list of titles you'll be getting for your Wii's.

So take a quick check at that list, and see if you included NFS Carbon in it. 'Coz if not, then *ahem*, that list sure ain't finished yet, mister. Being one of the most-anticipated street racing titles on the Wii, you know you just gotta include this game in your holiday list of games. And although we know most of the NFS updates you've been getting from us are pretty much cross-platform ones and aren't Wii-specific, we'll make up for that with these two gameplay vids we have FOR THE Wii.

There, couldn't have emphasized that more, so don't ask anymore if this vid is on 360, or PS3, and whatnot, 'coz these ones are for the Wii version. Anyhoo, there's not much else we can really say about the game at this point that you guys don't know about already so we'll just let ya enjoy the vid below. We also thought you might like to have one saved right in your PCs so we put one up for download too. Enjoy!

 

 

Download: [NFS Carbon Wii gameplay vid]

The engines start roaring, and the beads of sweat start forming on your forehead. You grip the wheel more tightly with breathless anticipation - wrong move, buddy. Relax. Take a deep breath. Take in the road. Take in the competition. These are the last ten seconds of the countdown before all of that becomes a blur, and the only thing you have to worry about now are the road ahead of you, the cars around you, and first place.

Tomorrow*, Electronic Arts puts the pedal to the metal with Need for Speed: Carbon rolling into stores for the Xbox 360 and the PC, with the PS3 and Wii versions punching the nitrous on their respective launch days this November. Starting tomorrow, the flag goes down and the rubber heats up. But today? You racers can take that deep breath. Look back to see if you've missed anything in our coverage.

And enjoy this last** pre-release, pure gameplay trailer of Carbon from EA and GameVideos. Before the flag goes down, the tires heat up, and the only thing you have to worry about is first place.

* = as advertised by the trailer. Weird that GameVideos would list its release date as "December 1st."
** = for the PC and Xbox 360, anyway. Any chance for PS3 and Wii-version trailers?

Pre-Order: [NFS: Carbon (Windows XP)]
Pre-Order: [NFS: Carbon (Xbox 360)]
Pre-Order: [NFS: Carbon (PS3)]
Pre-Order: [NFS: Carbon (Wii)]

Sneaky, sneaky. Apparently, there was this June press trip that occurred in Vancouver for Need For Speed Carbon (coming out on PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360) that for some reason, we didn't really know about -- not even our sources. Hmmm...such a shame, 'cause we tripped upon a whole lot of screenshots from that event, and man, did we miss a lot!

But, let bygones be bygones 'cause we now have them in our possession. Although you may say that there's nothing really different from these batch of screenshots from the ones we've already posted, you just have to look at them closely to appreciate the details in the graphics. From the reflection on the car body, to the gears within the rims...that's detail for you, right there. What can I say? The shots are just fantastic. But that could just the pseudo-photographer in me. Check it out for yourself and be the judge of whether or not this is one of the finest collection we've seen.

And to think we almost missed it entirely.

More NFS: Carbon screens after the jump!

Pre-order: [Need for Speed:Carbon for PS3]
Pre-order: [Need for Speed:Carbon for Wii]
Pre-order: [Need for Speed:Carbon for X360]

What makes this Need for Speed installation different from others? It depicts real-life streetracing dangers. And no, we don't just mean sharp turns, heavy traffic, broken bridges, or sneaky foes. We mean cops. Yup, in this game, you could actually get busted. Then again, in a twisted kind of way, it is thrilling to have cops chasing after you through the night streets. Just keep it in the game, though, ayt? We sure won't want to hear about yet another game being blamed for some guy's idiocy.

Anyway, here are some more new Wii screenshots that are sure to get your hands itching some for Need for Speed Carbon. Catch it soon this November 19th. So hop on, and get ready for the cruise of your life!

From QJ reader GmDude66 comes these great new screenshots from EA's upcoming Need For Speed: Carbon. These drop-dead gorgeous images say it all. EA wasn't kidding around when theyset outto make NFS:Carbon! These vehicles gleam with Turtle-Wax-like reality. And the metal-on-metal sparks don't look too shabby, either!

But then again NFS:Carbon will be the the first member of its franchise to run wild on all the next-gen consoles. It has no choice but to make the kind of smashing audience impact that would crush an armored car like a beer can to a frat boy's forehead. NFS: Carbon will feature a selection of cars from previous titles including Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Underground 2 plus an-all new line up of cars: Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Audi Le Mans Quattro, and the Shelby GT500.

So gentlemen and ladies who don't mind getting grease under their nails, get ready to rev up your engines.

You can also find more info about NFS:Carbon for the PS3 here and the Wii version here.