Which Console Has The Best Downloadable Games

[The 1 2 P]

As the title suggest, which one is better: the Wii's Virtual console, the Xbox 360's Live Arcade, or the Playstation's download network?

[Alucard79]

Not a wii fan, but between Xbla and PSN, I have to say Xbla at the moment. There are a lot of good titles that will be coming to PSN in the future.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

As of right now, I would say the 360 then the Wii then the PSN. I think the PSN could (and probably will) get a lot better when they start giving free demos of "arcade-type" titles (like the 360) and just have a lot more content (videos, game demos, etc.) Last week was more like it, with 3 game demos and Super Puzzle Fighter (with a playable demo).

[Wolfrider31]

I own a Wii, but from what I've seen I'd have to give the nod to XBLA. There's more original games, and the online features are something that the Wii sorely lacks. And call me crazy, but the pricing seems a little better.

[heybtbm]

Xbox Live Arcade. Simply no question about it.

[FantasiaWHT]

I own a Wii and not an X360, but I'd have to say XBLA, from talking to friends and playing at friends houses. The Wii VC needs more freebies and some bargain games (I've always argued that if they'd charged $1-3 for VC games I would've bought at least $150 worth, instead of the $20 I've spent so far) to compete in that regard.

[jcalder8]

I own a 360 and Wii but from what I've heard PSN isn't that great so I'm putting that one last.

If Nintendo had taken the time to add online multiplayer to their VC games then they would get the nod for sure. But since they didn't I can easily say that XBLA is by far the best.

[diskoboy]

XBLA, without a doubt.

You've got a pretty nice mixture of classics and new games. And almost all the classic games have upgraded gfx (and always as an option - you can always play with original gfx, too.) Plus you also have online play.

When Discs of Tron and Warlords comes out, you won't be able to peel me away from XBLA for several weeks.

[7th lutz]

I don't own a 360, but I have to give it to xbla. It appears to have a great blend of classic and new games along with playing classic games online.

I own a wii, but Multiplay online is a problem with it along with the lack of orginal games being able to downloaded currently. The vc is getting some bargins on the tg-16 side. I can't saw that with rest of the games for the other game consoles for the most part. Online for the wii is a work in progress.

PSN appears to be in 3rd.

[Nintendo Gamer]

.....

[s1lence]

XBLA for original titles atm. PSN has some original titles but it can't touch live right now. The Wii has the best classic games compared to the other two, and with original content it will get better.

[Fuzzball24]

Xbox Live....for sure. Gotta agree on the demos, and it has a ton of new games, and the achievements and leaderboards for every arcade game is great.

[MegaDrive20XX]

XBLA ftw

[Nebagram]

VC's got a lot of decent titles but unless you're a total Nintendohead, XBLA gets the vote with room to spare. Space Giraffe, Pac-Man CE, Catan, Carcassonne, Boom Boom Rocket and the perennial fave Robotron are my personal highlights. PSN isn't even in the same league right now.

[otaku]

I prefer the wii VC myself at least when it comes to buying games I like all the old school stuff but I like how Xbla has new content for games you buy and links the games to your account instead of the console

wii vc for me though!

[Icarus Moonsight]

Live Arcade is the best at the moment. The Wii VC is respectable, I like it but, I hoped for more. The addition of Wii Ware games/apps and Neo Geo to VC starts to equalize IMO but Nintendo HAS to do more to knock Microsoft off their download throne.

PSN? WTF is that? LOL

[Lothars]

right now by far I would say XBLA but Wii well it's pretty mediocre it's gettiing better but I would say the PSN is on par but both the Wii's and PSN need to improve a whole lot.

[boatofcar]

Is there any way for Nintendo to add online play to the VC?

[landamo]

XBLA I love VC but being able to play online and get achivements puts it ahead

[Icarus Moonsight]

Is there any way for Nintendo to add online play to the VC?

I'm pretty sure it's possible. Might involve a system update and redownloading the new versions of games that are brought into online status. I'd say the most limiting factor is the small internal flash memory. I wonder if a software tweek would allow you to use the SD slot to run software from. Other than that a USB hard disk option might help.

[DigitalSpace]

XBLA has the edge due to online multiplayer and achievement points.

[MarkMan]

XBLA for sure...

But PSN is catching up... T5DR: ONLINE anyone :) ?

[KingCobra]

Super Stardust HD on PS3 is also a stunner! But XBL for sure for the time being.

[GM80]

Unquestionably XBLA ... and this from a disgruntled former 360 owner who now has only a Wii. Unless you're looking for only classic console titles, the sheer number of emulated arcade games, remakes, and original content on the XBLA makes it unbeatable.

On the off chance that you're looking for old console games only, the edge goes to the Wii.

[Wolfrider31]

I'm pretty sure it's possible. Might involve a system update and redownloading the new versions of games that are brought into online status. I'd say the most limiting factor is the small internal flash memory. I wonder if a software tweek would allow you to use the SD slot to run software from. Other than that a USB hard disk option might help.

Depends on the online system you're talking about. If you're talking about basic online play (like Gunstar Heroes with your buddy from out of town) then there would be no need to alter anything in the game. ZSNES does it with standard ROMs there's no reason the Wii couldn't. Just a simple emulator update and maybe a new channel to search for players and you're good to go.

[blissfulnoise]

I totally agree that XBLA is superior at this moment, to play devil's advocate:

flOw on PS3 is still a totally unique experience that XBLA will probably never try to (or could) emulate.

Calling All Cars (PS3) is a lot of fun and is one of the best 4 player experience on any downloadable service right now.

Tekken 5: DR is now playable online on the PS3 which is a huge event if you're a major Tekken fan.

The Wii is continuing to release games hand-over-fist on the Virtual Console service. Now that most major titles have been put out, it'll be interesting to see where they dig next for content.

And let's not forget Sony's @Home. It's just around the corner and could be the next big thing with online console gaming.

[sisko]

Also a fan of the XBLA here. I like the classic remakes (with achievements) and most especially the entirely new and exclusive games available.

[meancode]

XBLA. Next question.

How about adding a poll?

I own about 25 titles on the PSN and at least 50 on XBLA, and besides quantity, the 360 has the quality downloads as well.

The PS3 has some stand outs of course, Calling all Cars, Super Stardust HD, and Blast Factor come to mind, but the 360 buries the PSN with quality games.

When will the PSN start putting demoes online day and date of the full price PSN title. This happens, but not often enough. Each time we get a XBLA game, we get a demo.

Do you count Warhawk as a PSN game or a retail game, since it is offered in both formats. Warhawk is a lot of fun, but it is MP only. I think they could have _at least_ put some bots in the game.

XBLA has a good mix of original and classic. And the classic come with MP on Xbox Live, usually.

The Wii would be nice if it had say JPN games, or *gasp* original content as it has been eluding to for so long now.

The Virtual Console is yet another device that Nintendo is using for the casual croud, as the (once) core Nintendo gamer has those games in one form or another. I also still think that the Virtual Console prices are a little high. In comparison I own only about 10 VC titles. But then my Wii goes months without... not gonna finish that one.

T5DR, online? No thanks. How about VF5, online? Oh, wait... (couldn't resist)

[8-bitNesMan]

360 by far. I spend more time with arcade titles than I do with retail games.