Chart-Track has revealed that the UK has had its best first quarter for software sales.

The figures for the period of January-March 2008 stand at a total market value for software of £418.4m, while 17.89m units were shifted.

The figures come with a catch, however. They also include office software packages. SPOnG contacted Chart-Track to check whether this is still the best first quarter ever if we just look at games software figures and was told by a representative, "yes it is."

No figures were available for software excluding office packages at the time of press, but SPOnG expects to see them in the near future...

Electronic Arts led the way in terms of both units and revenue, grabbing a 13.6% market share of the former and a 15.7% share of the latter. Nintendo was second in both categories, with 12.1% and 11.5% respectively, while Ubisoft was the third-best performer in terms of units with a 10% share and SEGA was third in terms of revenue with a 9.5% share.

You can see an overall comparison between January to March this year and the same period last year below.

Total Market Unit Sales:
2007: 15.62m
2008: 17.89m

Total Market Value:
2007: £317m
2008: £418.4m

^{Source: MCV}