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.

What's hot and what's sizzling hot! That's what these charts from Amazon.com is all about. The list is updated every hour but this is how the charts looked at post time.

PC Games
The still to be released World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade is already smoking at the top of the PC games charts with pre-orders so we guess its one of those guaranteed hits just waiting to happen. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft is entrenched at No.4.

1. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (pre-order)—Vivendi Games
2. Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe (pre-order)—Microsoft
3. The Sims 2: Pets exp. (pre-order)—EA
4. World of Warcraft—Vivendi Games
5. Battlefield 2142 (pre-order)—EA
6. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Dark Crusade exp.—THQ
7. Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave (pre-order)—Her Interactive
8. Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Ed. (pre-order)—Atari
9. The Sims 2—EA
10. Warcraft III Battle Chest—Vivendi Games

The top ten PSP and Xbox 360 games on Amazon.com after the jump.

EA has just released a factsheet on Madden 2007 which tells us the features of the game according to the console its available on. Madden NFL 07 still remains as the #1 football franchise in history, and with its 17th installment, players get to control the game like never before. Now, they can have the lead blocker control, use the Highlight Stick to bust out player-specific running styles, access team-specific defensive playbooks, and online play in Play Now or Session Match games. Here's a more detailed look at the new features of Madden NFL 07 according to console:

Xbox 360
- Mini-Camp: Create a player then build up his attributes by running him through skill-based, combine-type mini-games. In the off-season use Mini-Camps to condition players or rehab injuries to get back on the field faster.
- NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame Mode: Create and re-create your own player and play on Sundays from any position on the field.
-Madden Gamer Level: Track your career accomplishments in Franchise Mode to earn Madden Gamer Points, and then wager your rewards against the computer or against live online opponents to make it to the NFL Hall of Fame.
- Replay Challenge: Throw the red flag and challenge any play. Overturned calls or plays "that stand" have a huge effect on the outcome of every game.

Nintendo DS
- Enhanced Control Scheme: Touch Pad buttons allow you to navigate through the game with simple finger taps. You can also draw on-screen hot routes and use voice recognition to call audibles.
- Gameplay Graphics: New visuals and higher resolution on receivers and lineman, stadium day-night lighting, and weather effects.

PSP
- PSP Exclusive Mini-Games: Return kicks, avoid tackles, and aim for the High Score in a PSP system-exclusive mini-game.
- PSP to PS2 Connectivity: Transfer an entire season in Franchise mode from PS2 to your PSP system.

Just a few reminders though for those who may not know, online play (naturally) requires an internet connection. Xbox Live online play also requires subscription to XBL service. For PS2 users, you're gonna need a network adaptor and memory card to be able to play online.

Madden NFL 07 has become the fastest-selling Madden game in history. In its first week of release, the game sold over two million copies! This is, of course, counting all platforms and all editions of the game. If you average it out amongst the GameCube, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation2, PlayStation Portable, GBA, PC, Xbox 360 Hall of Fame Edition, and PlayStation2 Hall of Fame Edition versions (poor NGage), the game averages to about 200,000 copies per console sold. And that's A LOT.

This number is further supported by last week's Best Buy top games chart:

1. Madden NFL 07 (PS2)
2. Madden NFL 07 (360)
3. Madden NFL 07 (XBX)
4. Madden NFL 07: Hall of Fame Edition (PS2)
5. Madden NFL 07: Hall of Fame Edition (360)
6. Madden NFL 07 (PSP)
7. Madden NFL 07 (GCN)
8. Dead Rising (360)
9. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day (NDS)
10. New Super Mario Bros. (NDS)

Go Go America! The 7 Maddens and Dead Rising knocked down Brain Age and Mario down after spending months at the top two slots! I wonder how the Canadian, Australian, and European charts look? For those wondering, last week's Japan Top 10 had 10 DS games with Final Fantasy III in the #1 slot with over 500,000 copies sold in five days.

And now, we bring to you the latest chart of the hottest games in the US for this week. From the looks of it, though, it seems that the Land of the Brave has caught the football fever with half the spots in the chart being occupied by Madden games for different consoles. Another thing to note will be the fact that the two DS games in the US charts have also been contenders in last week's UK top ten.

But enough of the chit-chat, and on to the countdown!

• Madden NFL 07 (ps2">PS2)
• Madden NFL 07 (Xbox 360)
• Madden NFL 07: Hall of Fame Edition (PS2)
• Dead Rising(Xbox 360)
• Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox 360)
• Brain Age: Train Your Brain In Minutes A Day (Nintendo DS)
• Madden NFL 07: Hall of Fame Edition (Xbox 360)
• New Super Mario Brothers (Nintendo DS)
• Madden NFL 07 (PSP)

Pre-orders of Madden NFL 07 scores four touchdowns as they lead the pack of current best sellers in four out of seven platforms, while remaining in the top ten at numbers 2 and 8 in two others. Ranking first among games for PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, and Xbox, Madden edges out over tight competitors like Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus of Square Enix (PS2), Tekken: Dark Resurrection of Namco Bandai (PSP), Dead Rising by Capcom (Xbox 360), and Sid Meier's Pirates! by 2K (Xbox).

Nintendo superstars, however, are unstoppable with the Super Smash Bros. Melee dominating GameCube, while Madden has to content itself with only the number 2 spot. The New Super Mario Bros. continues its streak at number one in the DS chart with Brain Age, also from Nintendo, at number 2.

Two World of Warcraft titles meanwhile, invade the top two positions in MMORPG: World of Warcraft by Vivendi sits at number 1, while World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade exp. pack (pre-order), also by Vivendi, settles at number 2. Madden inches its way up slowly at number 8, while Nancy Drew: Danger by Design of Her Interactive loses grip of the top spot from last week to number four this week.

The top three games this week for PSP are: 1)  Madden NFL 07 (pre-order) - EA; 2) Tekken: Dark Resurrection - Namco Bandai; and 3) GTA: Liberty City Stories - Rockstar. For Xbox 360: 1) Madden NFL 07 (pre-order) - EA; 2) Dead Rising - Capcom, and 3) Madden NFL 07 Hall of Fame Ed. - EA.  In DS: 1) New Super Mario Bros. - Nintendo; 2) Brain Age - Nintendo, and 3) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney  (re-stock pre-order) - Capcom.

EA has a couple of announcements about its highly anticipated game for the PSP, Madden NFL 07. About the game itself, Madden NFL 07 for the PSP will feature a PSP-only mini-game. Gamers can also transfer an entire season in Franchise mode back and forth between PSP and PS2. The new season of the football game also has all-new Running Controls which gives level defenders in the open field elusive, tackle-breaking Truck moves.

The other thing is you get free shipping (US and Canada) when you pre-order Madden NFL 07 ($39.95) before August 31 from EA's on-line store. Madden NFL 07 will also be released for the NDS and is already available for the Xbox 360.

The next edition of EA Sports ultra popular NFL video game - Madden NFL 07, will be with us in less than 2 weeks across virtually all platforms including the Xbox, PSP, Nintendo Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance and mobile phones. A preview has popped up showcasing the game and its new features including the new moves and hits. More specific key features include lead blocker control, NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode, Highlight Stick, beefed up Franchise Mode and Online Play and team-specific defensive playbooks.

Dont take my word that the game looks great, form your own opinion by checking out the video below!

Football fans are in for a Madden treat, as ESPN and ESPN.com holds a pay-per-view event with Electronic Arts beginning August 4 at 8pm ET.

The special, Inside Madden NFL 07, produced by ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE), will be made available online, as well as on television. It airs 18 days before the game's release on August 22. It will feature a "guided tour" of the game, interviews with top athletes such as Atlanta Falcons' Warrick Dunn, Tennessee Titans' Eddie George, Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson and St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk, as well as a release of player ratings and tips from top Madden gamers.

Moreover, ESPN and EA Sports invited five lucky gamers to interview the game producers and engineers, and of course, give the game a shot.

Fans can purchase Inside Madden NFL 07 for $19.95 at ESPN's official website, or by contacting their pay-per-view provider. Listings of re-airs could also be seen at www.espn.com.  In lieu of this special, ESPN classic will showcase Madden Nation from 2-6pm ET as part of Generation Y week on ESPN Classic.

News flash! EA Sports has just released some brand-spanking-new screenshots of Madden NFL 07 for the PSP.

Scheduled for an August release, Madden NFL 07 is still to feature the "Create a Superstar" mode, similar to its predecessor. Thanks to this feature it will be possible to come up with your own NFL character and play him throughout the entire game.

So check out the screenshots to see if this will be one of the games you'll be getting for your PSP.