Feature: The Best of PSN Arcade

If this generation brought anything new to the console-gaming table, it would be the prominence of downloadable content. Xbox Live Arcade may have set the standards, with the PlayStation Network playing catch-up, but at this point it is pretty much safe to say that both services are inflated with more content than either user-base can handle. Games, add-ons, demoes – the works. With over 120 games now available to purchase on the PSN, how is one supposed to distinguish the class-act from the party clown? The great from the ghastly? The best way is to try them all yourself…so good luck.

Otherwise you can resort to what I’d like to call ‘Plan B’, namely this article. Below is a selection of ‘PSN-only’ games that are, to this humble reviewer, the best the PlayStation Network has to offer. Ready? Here goes.

Flower (thatgamecompany / SCE)

When thatgamecompany’s co-founder, Jenova Chen, developed his university thesis project ‘flOw’ for the PS3, it was a work that was simple, serene and looked stunning in HD. Many were quick to point out however that it just wasn’t a game, and I would agree. Maybe it was a little too simple. Flower is another thing altogether.

Artistically speaking, it is perhaps one of the best looking games on any console ever. Both scenic and sublime in virtually every aspect, flower provides gamers with a unique and immersive experience. Turn up the volume, dim the lights, grab your Sixaxis and take a trip that is seldom taken. It may be a short but Flower is, if nothing else, a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by violence, combat and heavy destruction.

Bionic Commando Rearmed (Grin / Capcom)

What was supposed to be the opening-act, set to warm people up for the ‘next-gen’ Bionic Commando sequel, completely stole the show. The remake of the NES 8-bit classic is fun, stylish and perhaps the best side-scroller on the system. It features all the elements that made the original a cult classic and if you throw in the HD make-over and all the additional content – you get one sweet package. Best of all, if you are one that reminisces about the glory days of two-player co-op, the days of Contra and Gunstar Heroes then go online now and throw this into your cart. You may not thank me immediately, but once you get over the fact that your character can’t jump and begin to get a grip on the bionic arm (pun intended), you’ll have an absolute blast…and then you’ll thank me.

Braid (Hothead Games)

This is indie! For all intents and purposes, software developer, Jonathan Blow has single-handed created a masterpiece. The game was first released on Microsoft’s XBLA in 2008. It was then ported to PC, Mac and finally the PS3. The game features a sophisticated story, mesmerizing music and mind-boggling puzzles. At times you’ll doubt what’s being asked of you. You may even check the control scheme again to see if you’ve missed something, but with a little time-bending followed by a little mind-bending you’ll literally start putting the pieces of the puzzle together. And for your troubles? A fantastic game and a memorable ending. You’ll only wish there was more of it.

Fat Princess (Titan Studios / SCE)

I’ll be honest, I never thought of excess cake as a defensive strategy, that is until I played Fat Princess. The game is highly unusual but often loads of fun. Despite having a story mode, the focus of the game is undoubtedly multiplayer and the ‘rescue the princess’ mode to be exact. There are two teams, and following the unwritten law of video games, one team is colored red and the other blue. At the start of the game, each team has the other team’s princess held captive. The objective is simple: Rescue your team’s princess while keeping the other team’s imprisoned. What follows is brutal fun but the key to success is teamwork. There are a bunch of classes you can choose from and each have different attack and support capabilities. But how do you make sure the opposing team doesn’t storm your castle and reclaim the princess? Well…you can’t, but if you feed their princess enough cake and fatten her up to the size of a baby elephant, you can make their attempted rescue a hell of a lot harder.

Shatter (Sidhe Interactive)

Though at one point, the PSN was practically filled with Geometry War clones; there were few titles that revisited old-school arcade game mechanics. They are beginning to emerge more and more now with Digger HD and Frogger Returns, but Shatter is a class apart. Shatter is not a remake but a new game based on brick-breaking games such as Arkanoid and Breakout. The game even plays in a similar manner to its ancestors but has the added layer of physics. With its pull ’n’ push action, Shatter is heaps of fun and does justice to an under-represented genre. The game may get taxing on the cornea sometimes, with the on-screen havoc of shards and explosions, but its retro tunes are wicked and some of the boss battles are outstanding. If you also consider the modest asking price, Shatter is a prime example of good old-fashioned gaming and great value.