The Beatles, against all expectations, are not top of the bill in this week’s battle of the brands. Instead the honour belongs to Guitar Hero 5. Gosh, who knew, etc…

In the event, and notwithstanding those stratospheric review scores, The Beatles: Rock Band didn’t even make second place on this week’s countdown. Or third. Nope, the Fab Four’s first foray into the wonderful and frightening world of videogames has resulted in a slightly surprising fourth placing.

Well, we never saw that one coming. Likewise we never expected a game of such magnitude and mainstream appeal to be beaten by the likes of Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in second place and Batman: Arkham Asylum at this week’s three.

In spite of its relatively lowly placing The Beatles: Rock Band has still managed to break a new record for the Rock Band franchise, debuting higher than the original Rock Band, which attained sixth place last year. Then again Guitar Hero 5 itself has broken a record, being the first in the series to reach number one. Props to the pair of ‘em.

Meanwhile the all-formats/full-price chart is pleasingly littered with new entries – the three biggies in the top five, then Championship Manager 2010 at 12, chopsocky adventure Mini Ninjas at 13, Section 8 at 21, Left 4 Dead back at 34, Cursed Mountain at 37 and Classic Word Games at 40. In a different week we can’t help thinking that at least three of those listed would have performed rather better.

But who dares ponder the mysteries of the games charts, or the often puzzling shopping habits of the Great British public? Certainly not us! Anyway, here’s this week’s chart:

1. Guitar Hero 5 (NE)
2. Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (NE)
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum (1)
4. The Beatles: Rock Band (NE)
5. Wii Fit(4)
6. Wii Sports Resort (2)
7. Il2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (6)
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (3)
9. Mario Kart Wii (12)
10. Ashes Cricket 2009 (5)

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, ©2009 ELSPA Ltd