From the Gnome's Perspective is a regular column by retailer Pat Fuge, who owns Gnome Games, a two-store chain in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  This week, Fuge gives us the list of the top 50 games in his stores this year:

From the Gnomes Perspective, it's holiday season and time for the 2nd annual Gnome Games top 50 games.  Each year since we've kept the data we look at the number of non-collectable games that we've sold and create the top 50 list.  These are games that we sold enough of during the previous year to keep on the shelf at all times.  These are also games that have proven themselves enough to be solid recommendations for customers to give as gifts or to share with friends and families.

Our analysis is based on the total number of games sold -- and in some cases includes similar or expansion titles that all are based on the same game. It doesn't include any of the Collectable Card or miniature games, tactical or historical miniature games, or role-playing games.  

First we'd like to congratulate and thank the manufacturers that gave us these great games.  Several of the manufacturers have more than one game on the list which leads us to believe they know how to put together games that customers enjoy, talk about and purchase.

Of special note are the recently released games that have jumped onto the list.  These include Run for Your Life Candyman (Smirk and Dagger Games) at #34, Tsuro (WizKids) #42, and Pizza Box Football (On the Line Game Company) #46 all of which have been on our shelves less than 2 months.  Their quick rise to the list bodes well for their holiday sales for us.

From the Gnome's Perspective we hope the list helps you pick the games that make this holiday season a prosperous one.

Gnome Games Top 50 Best Selling Games - 2005

* indicates expansions or similar titles contributed to the games overall rating