Say what you like about SCEE’s handling of the PSN Updates in 2008 but they got considerably better in the latter half of the year, and we’ve covered every single one in depth. Save for a few notable exceptions and some dodgy pricing, we’re not really missing out on anything that the rest of the world hasn’t already downloaded, and we’ve had some exclusive content just for ourselves, too. Well, we’ve now got the top 10 list of downloads across the board, and it makes for interesting reading. To start, then, here’s the list:
1. PAIN [review]
2. High Velocity Bowling
3. Super Stardust HD [review]
4. PixelJunk Monsters [review]
5. fl0w
6. Warhawk [review]
7. Aquatopia
8. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
9. High Stakes Poker Edition
10. Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty
Yes, that’s PAIN at the top, there, which is the first point of note. I’m not entirely sure, because it’s clearly not the best game on there, but what is striking is that PAIN is actually a 2007 game, but one that has seen constant updates throughout 2008 which has obviously kept the sales topped up with each new batch of content, despite the relatively high prices of the extra levels and characters. Even more odd, though, is the strictly average High Velocity Bowling just beneath that, suggesting PSN’s casual market is bigger than expected.
And, of course it’s good to see Super Stardust HD sitting pretty in third spot, but again, it’s another 2007 game. In fact, apart from Monsters, which rode one hell of a wave of hype before release and again got boosted with Trophies and extra levels later in year, only Quest For Booty actually came out in 2008. The rest of the chart is made up entirely of last year’s games, which is really, really odd, and perhaps suggests something about the perceived value of PSN downloads and the price/value factor, which could explain the absence of the fantastic WipEout HD: did it cost too much for a download?
So, seemingly you guys would rather buy a £2 fishing tank simulator than a futuristic, 1080p 60fps racer, eh? And the lack of Capcom titles in there despite all their efforts with the PSN Store? You didn’t like Bionic Commando Rearmed, Mega Man 9 and Commando 3? And Pixeljunk Eden? Shame. Well, there’s no accounting for taste, but when 2009’s PSN downloads are little more than throwaway bite-sized screensavers you’ve only got yourselves to blame.
Thanks to our friends at GamerBytes for the chart.