RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 1
RETAILBIZ
MONDAY DECEMBER 14th: TODAY’S CHARTS PRICE CHECK NEW RELEASES Sega follows up its Beijing hit with the companion to next year’s Winter Olympics...
OUT: JANUARY Read the preview in MCV this Friday
IN THIS WEEK’S
RETAILBIZ CHARTS Our full rundown of today’s All Formats Top 40, plus individual charts for Wii, DS, PS3, 360, PC, PS2 and PSP
HIGH STREET NEWS & DATA A digest of all the biggest retail headlines, plus indie sales charts, MCV’s price check, this week’s Metacritic scores – and our Deal Of The Week
RELEASE SCHEDULE Keep up to date with all the games headed to retail this week, next week and beyond
RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 2
RETAILBIZ: CHARTS
Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM
2 MONDAY DECEMBER 14th 2009
WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ
OFFICIALUKCHARTS WEEK ENDING SATURDAY DECEMBER 12th 2009
[ENTERTAINMENT - ALL PRICES]
[1]
TOP 40ALL FORMATS [2]
1 LAST WEEK
[3]
[4]
[5]
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 PUBLISHER
17
21
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010
KONAMI
5
2
WII SPORTS RESORT
NINTENDO
26
22
RABBIDS GO HOME
UBISOFT
3
3
ASSASSIN'S CREED II
UBISOFT
25
23
GTA EPISODES FROM LIBERTY CITY
6
4
WII FIT PLUS
NINTENDO
22
24
DJ HERO
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
2
5
FIFA 10
ELECTRONIC ARTS
28
25
WII PLAY
NINTENDO
4
6
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII
NINTENDO
7
7
MARIO & SONIC AT OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
30
8
JUST DANCE
9
9
FORZA MOTORSPORT 3
10
10
MARIO KART WII
1
TITLE
8
11
LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: CONTINUES
12
LEGEND OF ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS
14
13
LEFT 4 DEAD 2
11
14
LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME
12
15
PROFESSOR LAYTON: PANDORA’S BOX
16
16
F1 2009
15
17
WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010
13
18
NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT
18
19
PURE
19
20
DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING
TITLE
THE SIMS 3
3
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2
4
4
6
5
5 13
31
27
TEKKEN 6
UBISOFT
21
28
PEPPA PIG: THE GAME
UBISOFT UBISOFT
LUCASARTS ATARI
NEW
29
AVATAR: THE GAME
NINTENDO
35
30
CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
LUCASARTS
20
31
BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM
EIDOS
NINTENDO
32
32
FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010
SEGA
33
SINGSTAR: TAKE THAT
SONY
24
34
DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
ELECTRONIC ARTS
NINTENDO
40
35
GUITAR HERO 5
CODEMASTERS
33
36
COOKING MAMA 3
505 GAMES
THQ
29
37
PROFESSOR LAYTON: CURIOUS VILLAGE
NINTENDO NINTENDO
RE
DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS NINTENDO
RE
38
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS
34
39
UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES
23
40
BORDERLANDS
PC CD-ROM
DEVELOPER: SPORTS INTERACTIVE PUBLISHER: SEGA
2
LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA
ELECTRONIC ARTS
FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010
2
26
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
PUBLISHER
3
27
ELECTRONIC ARTS
[FULL PRICE]
TAKE 2
SEGA
MICROSOFT
NEW
PC CD-ROM LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
Highest New Entry
DEVELOPER: INFINITY WARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
THIS WEEK
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
SONY COMPUTER ENT. TAKE 2
[BUDGET PRICE]
TITLE
PUBLISHER
1
ASSASSIN’S CREED DEVELOPER: UBISOFT MONTREAL PUBLISHER: UBISOFT
ELECTRONIC ARTS
3
2
WORLD OF WARCRAFT: BATTLE CHEST
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
5
3
CIVILIZATION IV COMPLETE
THE SIMS 3: WORLD ADVENTURES
ELECTRONIC ARTS
4
4
BEJEWELED TWIST
LEFT 4 DEAD 2
ELECTRONIC ARTS
6
5
WORLD OF WARCRAFT
6
DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
ELECTRONIC ARTS
9
6
MYSTERY IN LONDON: JACK THE RIPPER
7
WARHAMMER 40,000: DAWN OF WAR II
THQ
13
7
SNIPER: ART OF VICTORY
7
8
EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR
SEGA
10
8
HIDDEN EXPEDITION: AMAZON
9
9
BORDERLANDS
TAKE 2
7
9
MIDNIGHT MYSTERIES: EDGAR ALLAN POE
10
10
WORLD OF WARCRAFT: WRATH OF LICH KING ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
2
10
LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: CONTINUES
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD 2K GAMES
4
3
6
8
FOCUS MULTIMEDIA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD FOCUS MULTIMEDIA CITY INTERACTIVE FOCUS MULTIMEDIA GSP/AVANQUEST LUCASARTS
[SOURCE] (c) ELSPA, Compiled by ChartTrack
RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 3
RETAILBIZ: CHARTS
Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ
3 MONDAY DECEMBER 14th 2009
OFFICIALUKCHARTS WEEK ENDING SATURDAY DECEMBER 12th 2009
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
1
PS3
[FULL PRICE]
TITLE
PUBLISHER
ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
[FULL PRICE] TITLE
PUBLISHER
1
ASSASSIN’S CREED II DEVELOPER: UBISOFT MONTREAL PUBLISHER: UBISOFT
1
2
PROFESSOR LAYTON: PANDORA’S BOX
NINTENDO
1
2
COD: MODERN WARFARE 2
3
3
DR KAWASHIMA'S BRAIN TRAINING
NINTENDO
3
3
FIFA 10
2
4
MARIO & SONIC AT OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
SEGA
4
4
NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT
6
5
COOKING MAMA 3
505 GAMES
5
5
UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES
4
6
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE
NINTENDO
7
6
WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010
9
7
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.
NINTENDO
9
7
TEKKEN 6
8
8
MARIO KART DS
7
9
CLUB PENGUIN: ELITE PENGUIN FORCE
10
10
STYLE BOUTIQUE
PLAYSTATION 2
THQ ATARI
6
8
BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM
8
9
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010
NINTENDO
10
10
LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: ADVENTURE CONTINUES LUCASARTS
WII
[FULL PRICE]
TITLE
PUBLISHER
2
2
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010
4
3
CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR
5
4
SINGSTAR MOTOWN
3
5
WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010
6
6
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
8
7
GUITAR HERO 5
9
8
DISNEY SING IT: POP HITS
10
9
HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
7
10
BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE
1
ELECTRONIC ARTS SONY COMPUTER ENT.
NINTENDO
1
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
ELECTRONIC ARTS
DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
FIFA 10
PSP
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
EIDOS KONAMI
[FULL PRICE] TITLE
PUBLISHER
1
WII SPORTS RESORT
KONAMI
1
2
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
3
3
MARIO & SONIC AT OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
SONY COMPUTER ENT.
4
4
MARIO KART WII
THQ
5
5
F1 2009
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
6
6
RABBIDS GO HOME
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
10
7
MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS
7
8
LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: ADVENTURE CONTINUES LUCASARTS
ELECTRONIC ARTS
11
9
TOY STORY MANIAI!
D3P
13
10
COD 4: MODERN WARFARE
DEVELOPER: EA PUBLISHER: EA
XBOX 360
[FULL PRICE] TITLE
PUBLISHER
LITTLEBIGPLANET DEVELOPER: SCEE CAMBRIDGE STUDIO PUBLISHER: SONY
2
2
FIFA 10
3
3
GRAN TURISMO
4
4
ASSASSIN'S CREED: BLOODLINES
5
5
FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010
6
6
GRAND THEFT AUTO: CHINATOWN WARS
8
7
F1 2009
7 10 9
10
STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT: ELITE SQUADRON
DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
NINTENDO SEGA NINTENDO CODEMASTERS UBISOFT SEGA
DISNEY ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
[FULL PRICE]
TITLE
1
COD: MODERN WARFARE 2
PUBLISHER
DEVELOPER: INFINITY WARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
ELECTRONIC ARTS
2
2
ASSASSIN'S CREED II
SONY COMPUTER ENT.
4
3
FORZA MOTORSPORT 3
UBISOFT
3
4
FIFA 10
ELECTRONIC ARTS
SEGA
5
5
LEFT 4 DEAD 2
ELECTRONIC ARTS
TAKE 2
6
6
GTA EPISODES FROM LIBERTY CITY
CODEMASTERS
11
7
HALO 3: ODST
8
LEGO INDIANA JONES 2: ADVENTURE CONTINUES LUCASARTS
7
8
WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010
9
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010
KONAMI
16
9
LIPS: NUMBER ONE HITS
MICROSOFT
LUCASARTS
9
10
NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT
ELECTRONIC ARTS
UBISOFT MICROSOFT
TAKE 2 MICROSOFT THQ
(c) ELSPA, Compiled by ChartTrack
LAST THIS WEEK WEEK
[SOURCE]
NINTENDO DS
RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 4
RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET
Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM
4 MONDAY DECEMBER 14th 2009
WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ
Sponsored by
POLL HAVE CUTS TO Q4 MARKETING BUDGETS IMPACTED THIS YEAR'S SEASONAL SALES?
REVIEW SCORES MCV provides the most important average review scores of the last few days – all sourced from Metacritic...
88%
Zelda: Spirit Tracks DS, Nintendo
77%
73%
71%
70%
LEGO Indy 2, PS2, Activision
Touchmaster 3, DS, Warner Bros
The Saboteur, 360, EA
F1 2009, PSP, Codemasters
33%
67%
No
Yes
*Metacritic scores correct at the time of going to press
After our recent report that the UK games trade has significantly reduced its Q4 marketing spend this year, we asked the industry at large if this would be reflected in the seasonal sales It turns out more than two thirds of participants in the latest MCV Online Survey
believe that games will continue to sell just as strongly, despite a 30 per cent cut in advertising budgets. And if we look at the success of Modern Warfare 2, Assassin’s Creed II and NSMBWii, they could be right. Take part in MCV’s next poll at www.mcvuk.com
MARGIN MAKER INDIE CHARTS - ALL FORMATS 1
2
THIS WEEK
LAST WEEK
1 2
3
4
TITLE/FORMAT
5
PUBLISHER
ASSASSIN’S CREED II FORMAT: 360
DEVELOPER: UBISOFT MONTREAL PUBLISHER: UBISOFT
3
COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 360
3
4
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII Wii
4
6
COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 PS3
5
5
LEFT 4 DEAD 2 360
6
6
ASSASSIN’S CREED II PS3
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD NINTENDO ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA
A4T’s LittleBigPlanet Starter Pack is officially licensed by Sony, and makes the perfect gift for anyone with or looking to buy the new handheld edition of LittleBigPlanet. The protective slip case not only boasts official Sackboy and sticker artwork, it also bears a sack-like finish not entirely unlike the pint-sized icon. The pack also features a matching wrist strap – to prevent young gamers from dropping their PSP – and a set of customisation stickers. These are based on the stickers that can be found in-game, as well as the irrepressible Sackboy character, and can be used to decorate the PSP, or whatever else gamers want to use them on. A4T: 01204 369 220
DEAL OF THE WEEK
UBISOFT
7
RE
WII FIT PLUS BALANCE BOARD Wii
8
RE
FIFA 10 360
9
RE
WII FIT PLUS SOLUS WII
10
9
COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 PC
Gamers who buy the Assassin’s Creed II PS3 Slim bundle at HMV for £284.99 will not only get a 250Gb version of the console and Ubisoft’s latest hit, they will also receive a free copy of EA’s FIFA 10.
NINTENDO EA NINTENDO ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
Charts compiled by Game Guide/Complete EPOS Solutions. For more information about Complete EPOS Solutions call 01543 370002. For more information about the Game Guide call 01606 836347.
Introducing the new
Exclusively Distributed by
Accessory Pack for the Nintendo DS Available for Christmas
TM
Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd / E1 Entertainment UK Ltd 2003. All Rights Reserved. Developed and Produced by Asylum Entertainment Ltd. The names Pinnacle, Pinnacle Software and Pinnacle Entertainment Ltd and associated logos as used in this game are under license to P2 Games Ltd. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo.
To order CALL NOW on
0870 027 8700
RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 5
RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET
Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM
5 MONDAY DECEMBER 14th 2009
WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ Sponsored by
PRICE CHECK [PRE ORDERS] James Cameron’s Avatar 360, Ubisoft
The Saboteur PC, EA
Game Party 3 Wii, Warner Bros.
Tony Hawk: RIDE PS3, Activision Blizzard
Jambo! Safari DS, Sega
TOP 10 FINAL FANTASY XIII
IN STORE: BOOTLE
PS3 SQUARE ENIX
£39.99
£34.99
N/A
£89.99
N/A
£43.99
N/A
N/A
£99.99
N/A
2. SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV
£37.71
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3. SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV
£39.99
£34.99
N/A
£89.99
N/A
4. BAYONETTA
PS3 ..................................................................CAPCOM 360 ..................................................................CAPCOM 360 ......................................................................SEGA
5. GOD OF WAR III
PS3 ......................................................................SONY
6. BAYONETTA
ONLINE
PS3 ......................................................................SEGA
£37.73
£29.73
£11.73
£94.73
£24.73
£37.99
£28.99
N/A
£92.99
£24.99
£38.93
£30.93
£14.93
£94.93
£25.93
£34.89
£24.89
N/A
£89.98
N/A
7. DARKSIDERS: WRATH OF WAR
360 ........................................................................THQ
8. GRAN TURISMO 5
PS3 ......................................................................SONY
9. DARKSIDERS
PS3 ........................................................................THQ
10. HEAVY RAIN: ORIGAMI KILLER
PS3 ......................................................................SONY Week ending December 11th Source: SHOPTO.COM
FROM THE FRONTLINE
“I don’t know how independents are going to be able to survive – it’s only pre-owned that keeps us afloat.”
This week, we speak to Simon Sharp of Bude’s GamePad… How has business been for you in 2009? Difficult, to be quite honest with you. It’s just really hard to compete now. I have people all the time asking me to price match with other retailers, but because of the price margins I can’t compete. It’s cheaper to buy stock from the competition than it is from distributors. What do you want to see change in 2010? Better prices from the big official distributors, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think it’s all because of greedy publishers with these false recommended retail prices. I don’t know how independents are going to be able to survive – it’s only pre-owned that keeps us afloat.
[PRE ORDERS]
TOP 10 BAYONETTA: CLIMAX EDITION 360 SEGA 2. MAG: MASSIVE ACTION GAME
PS3 ......................................................................SONY
3. MASS EFFECT 2
360 ..........................................................................EA
4. GRAN TURISMO 5
PS3 ......................................................................SONY
How have your Christmas sales been? Slow. This whole year has been totally slow. We actually think the recession has been this year, rather than last year like everyone else believes. It’s because of the prices, and the supermarkets have made it worst. They’ve really upped their game this year, especially near me. My local Morrisons was selling Modern Warfare 2 for £26, and I’m selling for £45 – but it costs £43 from the distributors. I’ve had so many people returning sealed games because they get a better deal over there. It’s seriously affected our sales.
5. BIOSHOCK 2: SPECIAL EDITION
360 ................................................................2K GAMES
6. FINAL FANTASY XIII
PS3 ............................................................SQUARE ENIX
7. BAYONETTA: CLIMAX EDITION
PS3 ......................................................................SEGA
8. STAR TREK ONLINE
PC ..........................................................NAMCO BANDAI
9. BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2
PC ............................................................................EA
10. WORLD OF WARCRAFT: CATACLYSM
PC ..................................................ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Week ending December 11th Source: PLAY.CO.UK
RetailBiz MCV568_FINAL:Layout 1
14/12/09
10:07
Page 6
RETAILBIZ: NEW RELEASES
Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM
6 MONDAY DECEMBER 14th 2009
WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ
EA kicks off 2010 with a bang The mega-publisher unleashes Army Of Two: The 40th Day in January, followed by Dantes Inferno a month later. Elsewhere, D3P brings back one of the most loved kids’ franchises to retail with Ben 10: Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks... TITLE
FORMAT
GENRE
PUBLISHER
TELEPHONE
DISTRIBUTOR
DS
Puzzle
Nintendo
0870 027 0985
Koch
PS3 / 360 PS3 / 360
Action Action
Sega THQ
0121 625 3388 0121 506 9585
Centresoft Advantage
PC PC / PS3 / 360 PSP / DS / Wii / PS2 PC / PS3 / 360 Wii
FPS Action Action/Adventure Action Casual
City Interactive EA D3Publisher Capcom Zushi
0845 362 7769 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 01279 822 800
Trilogy Centresoft Centresoft Centresoft Gem
Wii
Simulation
City Interactive
0845 362 7769
Trilogy
DS Wii
Puzzle/RPG Survival Horror
Ubisoft Capcom
0845 362 7769 0121 625 3388
Trilogy Centresoft
DS / PC / Wii / PS3 PC PC
Action/Adventure Strategy FPS
Ubisoft Zushi Zushi
0845 362 7769 01279 822 800 01279 822 800
Trilogy Gem Gem
360 / PS2 / Wii / DS / PSP DS / Wii Wii PSP / DS / PC DS PSP / DS / PS3 / 360 PC DS / Wii
Action/Adventure Action RPG/Action Strategy Casual Racing MMORPG Action/Adventure
D3Publisher Zushi Square Enix Slitherine Zushi THQ Atari Disney Interactive
0121 506 9585 01279 822 800 020 7324 5200 0870 027 0985 01279 822 800 0121 506 9585 0121 506 9585 0121 625 3388
Advantage Gem Open Koch Gem Advantage Advantage Centresoft
PC / PS3 / XBOX 360
FPS
2K Games
01279 822 800
Gem
PSP DS PSP / PS3 / 360 360 / PC DS DS DS DS PS3
Adventure Action Action Racing Music Simulation Simulation RPG RPG
Zushi Sega EA Zushi Disney Interactive Deep Silver Deep Silver Sega Square Enix
01279 822800 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 01279 822 800 0121 625 3388 0870 027 0985 0870 027 0985 0121 625 3388 01462 476 130
Gem Centresoft Centresoft Gem Centresoft Koch Koch Centresoft Open
DS PS3 / 360 PC / PS3 / 360 Wii
Adventure Action RTS Simulation
City Interactive Koei Slitherine Zushi
0845 362 7769 01462 476 130 0870 027 0985 01279 822 800
Trilogy Open Koch Gem
PC
RPG
Deep Silver
0870 027 0985
Koch
DECEMBER 18th Nintendo presents Crossword Collection
JANUARY 8th Bayonetta Darksiders
JANUARY 15th Alcatraz Army Of Two: The 40th Day Astroboy 2009 Dark Void Love is... in Bloom
JANUARY 19th Combat Wings: The Great Battles Of World War II
JANUARY 22nd Might And Magic: Clash Of Heroes Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil Zero
JANUARY 29th Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard BC Kings Exodus From The Earth
FEBRUARY 5th Ben 10: Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks Chicken Blaster Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers History Engineering an Empire Egypt Jig-a-Pix: Love is... a Puzzle MX vs AV Reflex Star Trek Online The Princess And The Frog
FEBRUARY 9th BioShock 2
FEBRUARY 12th Adventures To Go Bleach: The Third Phantom Dante's Inferno Indianapolis 500 Evolution Jonas Let's Play: Flight Attendant Let's Play: Journalists Phantasy Star Zero Star Ocean: The Last Hope International
FEBRUARY 19th Art Of Murder Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce History Great Battles: Medieval Reel Fishing: Anglers Dream
FEBRUARY 26th Sacred 2: Gold
MUSTSTOCK .......ARMY OF TWO: THE 40TH DAY Released: January 15th Format: PC/PS3/360 Publisher: EA Distributor: Centresoft Contact: 0121 625 3388
The sequel to EA’s All Formats No.1 from 2008 reprises gamers’ role as mercenaries Salem and Rios – shooting, stabbing and fist-pounding their way through terrorist thugs. Both the single-player and multiplayer modes have been enhanced.
MUSTSTOCK .......BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: VILGAX Released: February 12th Format: 360/PS2/Wii/DS/PSP Publisher: D3P Distributor: Advantage Contact: 0121 506 9585
Morphing boy hero Ben Tennyson once again takes on evil forces with his trusty Omnitrix at his side. In an exclusive storyline, Ben is carted off to outer space, where he takes on arch enemy Viglax and other fearsome foes.