MCV568 Retailbiz Monday 14th December

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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

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RETAILBIZ: CHARTS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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RETAILBIZ: NEW RELEASES

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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.