If you grew up during the mid-2000s, you probably spent a significant amount of time trying to turn your wrist and transform into a fiery alien. Most of us failed. But High Voltage Software actually figured out how to make it feel real. Ben 10: Protector of Earth wasn't just another cheap licensed game thrown onto store shelves to capitalize on a cartoon's massive popularity. It was a surprisingly competent brawler that understood exactly why we loved the show.
The game dropped in 2007. It hit the PlayStation 2, Wii, and PSP, with a separate DS version that was... fine, but not the same.
Honestly? It holds up better than the newer reboots.
Most licensed games from that era are basically unplayable today. They feel stiff, look like mud, and have about three minutes of actual gameplay stretched over ten hours. Ben 10: Protector of Earth dodged that bullet by focusing on a specific, tight combo system and a limited, yet iconic, roster of aliens. You didn't get all ten. You got five. And that was actually a smart move.
Why Ben 10: Protector of Earth Nailed the Omnitrix
Back in the day, fans were kinda mad that Diamondhead or Ghostfreak weren't in the main console versions. We wanted the whole set. But the developers focused on Four Arms, Heatblast, XLR8, Wildvine, and Cannonbolt. By limiting the scope, they made sure every alien felt distinct.
Four Arms was your heavy hitter. He felt weighty. Heatblast could hover and snipe from a distance, which was a lifesaver in those annoying platforming sections in the Grand Canyon.
The combat was deeper than it had any right to be. You weren't just mashing one button; you were unlocking actual skill trees. High Voltage Software implemented a system where you could juggle enemies in the air. You could punch a robot into the sky as Four Arms, then quickly swap—yes, mid-combo—to keep the pressure on. It felt like a "baby’s first Devil May Cry," and I mean that as a huge compliment.
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The Master Control Myth
Everyone remembers the struggle of the Omnitrix timeout. In the early levels of Ben 10: Protector of Earth, you’re constantly watching that green circle drain. It was stressful. You’d be right in the middle of a boss fight against Enoch or a giant robot, and suddenly you’re just a ten-year-old kid in a t-shirt.
But then you unlock the Master Control.
Once you beat the game or use the right cheats, the cooldown disappears. You can stay transformed forever. You can swap between forms instantly. This is where the game truly peaks. It stops being a survival-platformer and becomes a pure power fantasy.
The Story Actually Felt Like a Lost Episode
The plot isn't Shakespeare. It's Ben 10. Vilgax is trying to suck the DNA out of the Omnitrix using these weird mechanical mosquitoes. It's a classic Saturday morning cartoon setup. But what worked was the pacing. You start in the Grand Canyon, move to San Francisco, head to the Bayou, and eventually end up in space.
It captured the road-trip vibe of the original series perfectly. The Rustbucket served as the hub, and seeing Gwen and Grandpa Max in the cutscenes made it feel official. The voice acting was the real deal, too. Having Tara Strong voice Ben made a massive difference. If they had hired a sound-alike, the whole thing would have felt cheap.
It’s worth noting that the boss fights were surprisingly tough. Fighting Kevin 11 in his mutated form required actual pattern recognition. You couldn't just face-tank his hits. You had to use XLR8 to dodge, then switch to Four Arms to punish.
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Technical Performance and Where to Play it Now
If you’re looking to revisit this, you have options.
The Wii version is okay, but the motion controls for the special moves are a bit janky. You’re shaking the Wiimote to do a ground pound, and sometimes it just doesn't register. The PS2 version is the gold standard for stability. It’s snappy.
- PS2/PSP: Best for traditional controls.
- Wii: Fun for the "immersion," but tiring.
- Emulation: The game looks incredible upscaled to 4K on modern hardware.
One thing people forget is how much the PSP version rocked. Usually, handheld ports were stripped-down versions of console games. Not this one. It was almost a 1:1 port of the PS2 game, which was mind-blowing at the time. Playing Ben 10: Protector of Earth on the bus was the peak of 2007 technology.
The Misconception About the DS Version
Don't get it twisted—the DS version is a completely different game. It’s a 2D side-scroller. While it has its charms and actually features more aliens (like Upchuck), it lacks the kinetic energy of the 3D brawler. If you’re looking for the definitive experience, stay on the home consoles.
Learning the Combos That Actually Matter
If you’re picking this up again, don't just mash Square (or X). You need to learn the "XLR8 Cyclone." It’s arguably the most broken move in the game. You can clear entire rooms of Forever Knights in seconds.
Also, Cannonbolt is secretly the best alien for speedrunning levels. His roll move ignores a lot of enemy collision, allowing you to bypass tedious fights. Most players ignored him because he looked goofy, but he’s a beast in the hands of someone who knows the mechanics.
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The game also had a pretty decent co-op mode. You could play with a friend, which was rare for these kinds of games. Two Bens on screen at once? It didn't make sense for the lore, but it was incredibly fun.
The Legacy of Protector of Earth
Since 2007, we’ve had a lot of Ben 10 games. Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, Omniverse, and the 2017 reboot game. None of them quite captured the "weight" of the aliens like this one did. Later games felt a bit more floaty, or they tried to cram in too many aliens that all played exactly the same.
Ben 10: Protector of Earth succeeded because it understood that playing as Four Arms should feel different than playing as Wildvine. It wasn't just a skin change; it was a gameplay shift.
It’s a relic of an era when licensed games were starting to get actually good. It came out around the same time as Spider-Man 2 and the Ultimate Spider-Man game. Developers were finally realizing that if you treat the source material with respect, fans will show up.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Retro Gamers
If you want to experience this today, don't just go in blind. There are ways to make the experience better.
- Skip the Wii version unless you really love wagging your arms. The PS2 version played on a backward-compatible PS3 or via an emulator is the way to go.
- Unlock the cheats early. If you’ve already played the game once, there’s no shame in using the "Master Control" cheat code immediately. It transforms the game from a slow burn into a high-octane action title.
- Look for the Sumo Slammer cards. These aren't just collectibles; they unlock concept art and behind-the-scenes stuff that is actually interesting for Ben 10 lore nerds.
- Try the combos. Stop mashing. Use the pause menu to look at the move list. Combining Heatblast’s fireballs with Four Arms’ tosses is how the game was meant to be played.
The game isn't perfect. The camera can be a nightmare in tight corners, and the platforming is occasionally frustrating. But as a piece of Ben 10 history, it’s essential. It’s a snapshot of a time when Ben was just a kid with a powerful watch and no idea how to use it—and we were right there with him.
Check your local used game stores or online marketplaces. Since it sold millions of copies, it’s usually pretty cheap to find a physical disc. It’s worth the ten bucks just to hear that theme song one more time while you beat up some DNAliens.
For those diving back in, prioritize upgrading Wildvine's reach and XLR8's speed first. These two will get you through the majority of the environmental puzzles and boss encounters without the frustration of the early-game "weak" forms. Focus on the San Francisco levels to farm for experience points if you find yourself stuck on the later Vilgax stages.