48,49 MCV552_final
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RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET 48 MCV 28/08/09
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RETAIL BIZ:
NEWS
REVIEW SCORES MCV provides the most important average review scores of the last few days – all sourced from Metacritic...
81%
MCV offers a weekly digest of the latest news on the High Street...
Wolfenstein Activision Blizzard, PS3
78%
70%
73%
69%
Madden NFL 10 EA, Wii
Virtua Tennis Sega, 360
Ashes Cricket 2009 Codemasters, PS3
G-Force Disney, Wii
*Metacritic scores correct at the time of going to press
DEAL OF THE WEEK
PSN VOUCHERS COMING TO RETAIL Sony has announced iTunes-style vouchers for its PSN service at Gamescom. During the company’s press conference, it was confirmed PlayStation Network Voucher Cards worth e20 and e50 Euros will be heading to retail. These will enable consumers to purchase content from the PlayStation Store without the need for a credit card. The Voucher Cards are due to arrive on shelves in September. SCEE president and CEO Andrew House said: “PSN opens up a genuinely unique entertainment experience. This is no longer just for hardcore gamers, but for everyone. “We believe that everyone enjoys entertainment differently and should have the choice as to what entertainment they consume and exactly how they consume it. PlayStation is the gateway to this variety of entertainment.” House also announced that PSN has racked up over 560 million downloads, generating revenue of over $280 million.
PSP RETAIL BUNDLES ANNOUNCED The PSP version of LittleBigPlanet will be bundled with the Turquoise Green edition of handheld when it launches. Sony unveiled a number of new colours for the PSP-3000 at its Gamescom press conference, revealing the companion to its PS3 game creation title, announced earlier this year, will be included with the green model. The Lilac Purple model will be bundled with Hannah Montana: Rock Out The Show, as was announced at E3, while the Blossom Pink will come with an unspecified game. All three colours will be available as standalone units. ARGOS PRICES HIGHER IN IRELAND Argos has come under criticism for charging Republic of Ireland customers an average of 24 per cent more for its products than those in the UK. Some prices were up by as much as 200 per cent in Ireland, but Argos claimed it is “impossible” to make a direct comparison, according to Retail Week. An survey found 99 per cent of Argos’ products were more expensive in Ireland than in Britain.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE UK HIGH STREET, CHECK OUT: WWW.MCVUK.COM/RETAIL-BIZ
MCV POLL
HMV customers can save over £40 when they buy a Wii with EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis and Mario Kart Wii for £199.99.
WHICH TITLE WILL WIN 2009’S BATTLE OF THE BANDS? 20% Guitar Hero 5
46%
INDIE CHARTS - ALL FORMATS LAST WEEK
1
TITLE/FORMAT
PUBLISHER
11%
WII SPORTS RESORT FORMAT: Wii
2
2
3
NEW
DJ Hero
DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
ASHES CRICKET 2009 360 MADDEN NFL 10 360
4
3
ASHES CRICKET 2009 PS3
5
4
THE SIMS 3 PC
6
NEW
ASHES CRICKET 2009 WII
7
NEW
MADDEN NFL 10 PS3
8
5
WII FIT Wii
9
8
TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 10 PS3
10
RE
CALL OF JUAREZ: BOUND IN BLOOD 360
CODEMASTERS EA CODEMASTERS
11% LEGO Rock Band
9% SingStar: Take That
4% Disney's Sing It!: Pop Hits
Take part in MCV’s next poll at www.mcvuk.com
EA CODEMASTERS EA NINTENDO EA UBISOFT
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.
MARGIN MAKER
Kart racers and other vehicular delights are very popular on Wii, so Pinpoint is releasing the Engima Wii Racing Wheel. With an RRP of £4.99, this product offers value for money and is a great impulse buy for Wii owners seeking an extra wheel.
As with rival wheels, Pinpoint’s version houses the Wii Remote, has a smooth white finish and makes racing games feel more immersive as players use the motion sensitivity to steer. Pinpoint: 01606 558428
ble at a l i a v All A
For more information contact sales - 01256 385 251
Wii AND THE Wii LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO.
THIS WEEK
The Beatles: Rock Band
Almost half of the participants from the latest MCV online survey are confident The Beatles: Rock Band will be the dominant music game of the year, although there is still plenty of support for Guitar Hero 5.