Best Wii, Xbox and PS3 Games Under $10
New copies of those mega-hyped games will cost $50 to $60, though, so gamers may be limited in their total purchases. To help offset those costs, and to promote thrifty entertainment, we've compiled an assortment of inexpensive yet engrossing games from the PSN Store, the Xbox Live Arcade, and the Wii Shop.
These cheapos may skimp on price (almost all are $10 and under), but the graphics, gameplay, and action definitely don't suffer. More importantly, they'll undoubtedly help avid players, regardless of their favorite console, continue their necessary virtual exploits while saving hard-earned cash for upcoming big-budget blockbusters.
Xbox Live Arcade:
'Duke Nukem 3D'
800 credits ($10). Rated M
While the Live Arcade's prices tend to be a little higher than those of its competitors, Xbox owners can claim exclusive rights to a legendary group of awesome and unique games. Both casual and devoted gamers have been awaiting, sometimes impatiently, the new 'Duke Nukem' release for what seems like decades, but the gory king of virtual snark remains in developmental limbo ("The greatest game that never was."). Xbox owners are able to relive the original classic, though, which has been upgraded to allow for chaotic and incredibly destructive eight-person multi-player matches. To control the cussin' and butt-kickin' anti-hero, Xbox owners will need at least a Silver membership.
'Wallace and Gromit' series
800 credits each (free trial for Episode 4 available now). Rated E
Nick Park's zany and madcap 'Wallace and Gromit' films have attracted a cult following over the years. But, if those fans happen to own a Wii or a PlayStation, they won't be able to virtually participate in any of those wacky shenanigans or Rube Goldberg-inspired hi-jinx. Fortunate Xbox owners, on the other hand, currently have at their disposal a wide variety of Park's claymation mysteries, including the latest terrifyingly hilarious chapter starring 'The Bogey Man' of the "Prickly Thicket Country Club."
Lode Runner
1200 credits ($15). Rated E
'Lode Runner' has represented one of the most seminal and influential franchises of all gaming time since Broderbund originally released the first title in 1983. The groundbreaking game actually allowed players to design their own levels, and Xbox owners can exclusively do the same with greatly enhanced 3-D graphics. The modernized console version includes 220 levels, multi-player and co-op options, as well as vintage 2-D action. This gold-digging classic does cost 15 bucks, but because of the game's longevity, fame and playability, we'll let those few extra dollars slide.
Greed Corp
800 credits (free trial now). Rated E
'Greed Corp' isn't an exclusive Xbox option, but this is a must-have for board and strategy lovers. Incorporating aspects of the legendary games 'Settlers of Catan' and 'Risk,' 'Greed Corp' serves as an interactive, witty and captivating investigation into the modern issues of land devastation, corporate greed and the green movement. The full game, which allows for online multi-player action (up to four people), will be released soon, but a free trial version is currently available.
PSN Store:
Thexder Neo
$9.99. Rated E
The original, enormously popular 'Thexder' was a side-scrolling PC game that allowed players to shift between an awesome laser-firing robot and a spacecraft. That '80s classic has been reinvented for the PS3, and the action-packed, vibrantly colorful futuristic fighter is well worth the $10 cost. The modernized version, with enhanced graphics of course, allows for six-player online races, and also comes bundled with the original PC classic. Players should definitely make sure to select their ideal controls, though, because the 'Classic' button system is slightly confusing for the 'NEO' version.
Gravity Crash
$9.99. Rated E
'Gravity Crash' is an homage to the classic arcade blasters of the '80s, particularly 'Gravitron' and 'Robotron: 2084.' Players control a spacecraft using the left thumb stick, while the right thumb stick fires the ship's blasters for enthralling, constantly destructive fun. Players travel various mesmerizing galaxies and planets (a total of 35 levels) in search of crystals, enemies and stranded allies. 'Crash' also allows players to design their own savable and uploadable levels, and multi-player action is available for up to four people. Oh yeah -- any game that has to offer the "seizure and epilepsy" warning is going to be awesome (at least visually).
Magic Carpet
$5.99. Rated E
The PSN Store has a plethora of modern games, so picking an unaltered PS1 title may seem like a bit of a cop-out. There aren't many strategic role-playing games that can compete with (video game hall-of-famer) Peter Molyneux's 'Magic Carpet,' though, especially for the paltry sum of $5.99. Players travel through an expansive territory on, as the name implies, a magic carpet as they gather mana and obliterate enemies with a variety of destructive spells. If you haven't played the original version, you'll probably want to consult some online instructions first, since the PSN game doesn't provide any.
Assault Heroes
$9.99. Rated T
'Assault Heroes' has been available for the Xbox for several years, and it finally made its long-awaited PSN appearance in January. The top-down shooter with mesmerizing graphics provides constant action and upgradeable weaponry. It also allows players to parcel out death and destruction while on foot, or from behind the wheels of vehicles and ships. Players can fight lone-wolf style and monitor the online leaderboards for competitive scoring, or they can engage the enemy in co-op mode with friends.
Wii Ware:
Fast Draw Showdown
500 points ($5). Rated T
The Xbox Live Arcade and the PSN Store are routinely ranked ahead of the Wii Shop in terms of their extensive content libraries, but Nintendo undoubtedly offers its own assortment of highly desirable titles. Wii owners will definitely want to target games that capitalize on the unique properties of the Wii pointer, because it offers unparalleled gunplay action. 'Fast Draw Showdown' is one such game -- a live-action, "quick draw" shooter starring Wes Flowers. It features dozens of unique challengers and, when paired with 'Wild West Guns,' provides unsurpassed Old West gun-slinging entertainment. During the difficult rounds, it may seem like the pointer's response time is slower than the player's actual movements, but there are ways of holding the gun that make the game considerably easier. Hey, if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying!
Castlevania the Adventure ReBirth
1000 points ($10). Rated T
Merely saying that there's a new 'Castlevania' game should be enough incentive for the true Nintendo fanboys and girls, but, despite its awkward title, 'The Adventure ReBirth' should also appeal to casual fans of all ages and demographics. Amid enhanced graphics, new villains, and upgraded whips and chains, players once again star as a vampire-slaying Belmont. Besting 'ReBirth' is definitely a challenging enterprise, particularly without a "save" function, but players are granted unlimited continues, and can also alter the settings to provide nine extra men.
Blaster Master Overdrive
1000 points. Rated E
'Overdrive' is an enhanced throwback to the classic NES game 'Master Blaster.' Players can travel through the game in the S.O.P.H.I.A. vehicle, or, using various upgradeable weapons, exit the hopping car to blast mutated creatures on foot. The highly entertaining single-player game provides a similar (and perhaps better) Wii alternative to 'Assault Heroes,' and it also features cavernous boss areas where hazardous foot travel is required.
Art of Balance
800 points ($8). Rated E
The Wii Shop provides an abundance of challenging puzzle-based games, including the recently released 'Art of Balance.' The object of the game (which is to construct a balanced stack of objects) seems simple enough, but trying to beat the clock before the leaning tower crumbles definitely provides addictive and suspenseful entertainment. This exciting "physics-based puzzler" features 100 different levels, and allows for solo, co-op, and versus play.
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