According to gamespot.com the new edition sold 413,400 copies in May on XBox 360 and Playstation 3, compared with 1,014,000 copies the previous year in it’s opening month.

Despite the lower than expected sales figures the UFC Undisputed 2010 title was still the third biggest selling game of the month behind the ultra-popular Red Dead Redemption and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

THQ will be hoping that this weekend’s UFC 116: Lesnar Vs Carwin event, which is considered to be the biggest MMA event of the year, will help to boost figures, particularly as Brock Lesnar is the cover star of this years game.

The new 2010 edition, which featured more fighters, more moves, a revamped control system and an enhanced career mode was well received in the gaming press, but Gamasutra reports that according to a market analyst its selling, “slower than anticipated.”

The analyst also points to Amazon’s decision to drop the price of the game from $59 to $39 just a week after it’s launch as evidence that the title isn’t meeting it’s expected targets.

What remains unclear is exactly why the game is not selling, as the game has been well received and the UFC has been performing well in recent months with a series of high-profile events.

The analyst GamaSutra spoke to suggests that other high-profile titles like Read Dead Redemption and could be, “adding some competitive pressure.”

That could well be true, but there’s other factors to consider. For instance I think there was a ‘novelty’ factor to last years edition. It was different from a lot of other fighting games out at the time, and that would have helped draw in gamers who aren’t necessarily even fans of the sport.

Without being devout fans of the sport it’s questionable whether they would be wiling to shell out more money for an updated version of the game a year later though. There’s also some suggestion that as the game is becoming even more complicated and technical, that it’s alienating those who don’t have a full appreciation for the sport.

Meanwhile for the MMA fan there is the lure of EA Sports MMA title, a new arrival to the video game market which will come out later this year. If you already have Undisputed 2009, then the temptation may be to wait it out and opt for a completely new game instead.

There’s also the fact that some fans and reviewers have noted that flaws in the 2009 game still exist in the updated version, such as the repetitive career mode, flawed online play, and the submission system remains unsatisfying to many.

Whatever the reason we can only hope that this is a temporary hitch and that the game will perform well as the success of a product like this is good for the sport of MMA as a whole.

The 2009 edition of the game sold over 3.5million copies and the 2010 version is expected to be another hit with 400,000 pre-sales already having being registered ahead of the official launch.

The game has also been well received in the press, with the majority praising the improvements made to the latest edition. That’s reflected in the overall scores by reviewers, with the game averaging 87/100 for PS3 and 88/100 for XBox 360.

As the game launched a final promo was released featuring welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre which you can watch below.

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On Metacritic, a site which compiles a list of all game reviews the 2010 edition of the game is scoring an average of 94/100 on XBox 360 and 91/100 on PS3 from a total of nine reviews.

A number of the most reputable sites and magazine are still to deliver their verdict, but the one’s that have so far have been overwhelmingly positive in their reactions.

“Undoubtedly the best game of its genre on any system, ever,” says Computer And Video Games.

“A great MMA sim, a near flawless UFC sim,” is the verdict from Edge Magazine.

“This is as close as you’ll get to UFC without sharing Shane Carwin’s post-fight ice bath, and that’s where we draw the line anyway. Buy it,” is the tag-line from the Official Playstation Magazine.

All of which is good news not just for the THQ, but also the UFC. The power of games such as this in drawing new fans to the sport of MMA cannot be underestimated, particularly since 3.5million gamers bought the previous edition.

If they can produce similar numbers for this years edition then they will certainly be laying down an impressive benchmark for gaming giants EA Sports to aim for when their EA Sports MMA title arrives later in the year.

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The Official Playstation Magazine have awarded the sequel to last year’s 3.5 million selling game an overall score of 9/10, summing it up as, being, “as close as you’ll get to UFC without sharing Shane Carwin’s post-fight ice bath.”

Last year the magazine had awarded the 2009 edition 8/10, and after getting their hands on the new edition they noted that it, “mercilessly pummels its predecessor into a heap of broken bones, bruised tissue and shredded ligaments.”

“The bottom line is you see fights end in all manner of ways and huge variation in the way every single bout unfolds. You’ll partake in desperate stand-up slugfests, and tentative mat-based battles of wits and limbs.”

The Official Playstation Magazine containing the full review of the game is out now. UFC Undisputed 2010 comes out on the 25th of May in the U.S, and three days later on the 28th in the UK.

Check out a new commercial for the PS3 version of game which is airing in the UK now.

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The video shows him in training and discussing highlights of his career, inter-cut with footage from the actual game. Even if your not interested in the game it’s still worth checking out, if only to confirm that Chuck can speak coherently when he puts his mind to it!

UFC Undisputed 2010 hits stores on May 25th on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Check out the trailer below…

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“The largest roster in MMA gaming history,” the video proclaims before running through a list of them, and finishing up with a reminder that there’s, “over 100 hundred fighters to choose from.”

If that’s not enough it’s also worth remembering that there’s also an improved version of ‘create a fighter’ included in the game so you can make your own future MMA star.

The playable demo for UFC Undisputed 2010 was released yesterday evening, and the title hits stores on the 25th of May.

Check out the promo below.

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Just go to the website here and log-in.  Then go to the ‘rewards’ section and claim your unique code (XBox360 and PS3 codes are available).

In the reward section you’ll also find instructions on how to use the code with your console.

Enjoy!

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There’s still some confusion over exactly who will have access to the demo on this date. What we know for sure is that if you have registered for the UFC Undisputed 2010 community at the official website then you’ll definitely be able to play the game. If you don’t then it’s been suggested you’ll have to wait another week to get your hands on the game.

The demo will give fans the opportunity to test the latest incarnation of the game in one of two match-ups – either Lyoto Machida Vs Shogun Rua, or Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Vs Rashad Evans.  The player will be able to play against the computer in ‘tournament’ mode, or against another player in ‘offline exhibition’ mode.

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Check it out below.

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