Got a PS3 but can't afford to pay top whack for your games? Maybe you are just too lazy to get off the sofa. Well the good news is there are a cracking amount of titles available for download in the console's online market place PSN or PlayStation Network for those not into shortening everything. Here are five we think you should consider:

Super Stardust HD
The PS3s answer to Geometry Wars might be merely a remake of an ageing Amiga title, but it packs more than enough punch to be one of the PSNs top games. Four levels of rock blasting brilliance packed with strategic options via the mass of upgrades the levels constantly throw at you helps culminate in a not only addictive, but astoundingly brilliant (and cheap) game.

Wipeout HD
The game that started it all for the Playstation brand heads back to the big boy consoles. After a brief sojourn to the handheld PSP, Wipeout HD offers full 1080p support, giving brand new life to the eight remastered tracks that previously appeared in the two handheld titles. The grid based career system and full online support offers easily enough longevity, but with future downloadable content promised in the guise of track and vehicle packs, this one will keep you gripped just like a full price game. Plus, the music is up to the traditional Wipeout high quality standards.

Bionic Commando Rearmed
An update of the NES classic Bionic Commando, Rearmed gives the game a brand new skin to go with the good old traditional gameplay. With your character packing a bionic arm and grappling hook, allowing him to swing from platforms, climb to higher ledges, and even toss items towards enemies, this isn’t your traditional 2D platformer. One warning however: this game is truly blooming difficult. If you find yourself tearing your hair out thanks to a misplaced pass in FIFA, then best to give this one a wide berth.

LocoRoco Cocoreccho
Not really a full title, LocoRoco Cocoreccho differs from its PSP cousin by not placing you in direct control of the LocoRoco, but the butterfly like Cocoreccho. It’s up to you to guide and prompt the LocoRoco in the right direction to manoeuvre through one of the various routes available through the games single level by calling them from your fluttery winged avatar. Add in Sixaxis support with certain areas of the world manipulated by how you twist and hold your controller, and enormous replayability to bag all the collectibles available, and the tiny price to pay for this “interactive screensaver” seems like a total bargain.

Flow
With your creature controlled via movement of your Sixaxis controller, this one was the first PSN title to make full use of the motion-sensitive nature of the PS3 pad. Essentially you move through the levels, attacking and scoffing various other creatures in order to grow and progress to the next stage. With six creatures to unlock, each packing their own unique special moves initiated by the controllers face buttons, there’s more than enough here to keep you hooked long term. Incredibly popular, and one play will show you just why.

Tags: Gaming PS3 Sony

Five great PlayStation Network games originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Got an Xbox 360 but can't afford to pay top whack for your games? Or maybe you are just too lazy to get off the sofa. Well the good news is there are a cracking number of titles available for download in the console's online market place. Here are five we think you should consider:

Geometry Wars 2
Twin stick shooters might not be anything new, but the sheer stylish manner that Geometry Wars 2 managed to cram into this age old format helps culminate it to pure gaming gold. Packing a mass of gaming modes to twist the basic formula - from all-out blasting action, through to avoiding conflict completely - all complete with online leaderboards, Bizarre Creations latest online title is a true must buy for anyone with access to the Xbox Live Arcade.

Braid
It might look like any old 2D platformer, but Braid is a real mind bender too. Rushing through the levels may open up all the worlds available, but solving the devilishly tricky time-manipulating puzzles are where the real test lies. Creator Jonathan Blow even managed time to cram in a surprisingly adult storyline based around the traditional "find the princess" routine that will keep you trying to bag every puzzle piece for months.

Streets of Rage 2
As any Mega Drive/Genesis owner will tell you, the old school side scrolling beat em up genre was ruled by one series. Namely, Streets of Rage. Fondly remembered as the pinnacle of the series, Streets of Rage 2 proved to be such an unbelievable amount of fun that it remained a top seller for years. Now on the XBLA you can see just what all the fuss was about for just 800 Microsoft points. Featuring full online co-op play too, this absolute stormer is even better when teaming up with a fellow gaming pal.

N+
It might look like the kind of game that your ageing mobile could easily handle graphically, but N+ is as testing a puzzle game as any out there. Not only are the levels devilishly designed, but the risk/reward nature of the collectable portions of "air" which can help boost your time score, but easily bring you much closer to a poorly timed death, help make this one unbelievably addictive. And with leaderboards available to show off your skills, you'll keep coming back to this one for months.

Castle Crashers
As stylish as they come, don't let the hand drawn graphics lull you into a false sense of security. Castle Crashers - one of the few XBLA titles to offer co-op gameplay for up to 4 gamers - is a hectic hack and slash 2D scroller that packs some real bite. Not only is it smothered in gore and side-splitting humour, but it’s easily one of the trickiest titles currently available for download.

Tags: Gaming Xbox 360 Microsoft XBLA

Five great Xbox Live Arcade games originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:00:00 +0000