Best Original Downloadable Console Game

Downloadable console games have existed for only a few years, but in that time, they have proven that they can stand toe-to-toe with the biggest retail releases, even though they don't have a physical form on which to stand. These games have proven that a big budget or even a physical medium aren't necessary to make something great and memorable. Arcade-style games that rely on unbridled dexterity and unwavering concentration are still the dominant form of downloadable action, but this year gave way to more-thoughtful experiences as well. With development costs rising across the board, the downloadable realm is a sanctuary for simpler ideas to thrive.

Voting Results:

Best Original Downloadable Conso
Braid
36%
 
5,245
Castle Crashers
15%
 
2,189
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
10%
 
1,493
Mega Man 9
16%
 
2,363
World of Goo
23%
 
3,380

Readers' Choice Winner

Braid

Braid GameSpot's Best Games of 2008 Readers' Choice Winner

Braid is a puzzle-platformer, drawn in a painterly style, where the player manipulates the flow of time in strange and unusual ways. From a house in the city, journey to a series of worlds and solve puzzles to rescue an abducted princess. In each world, you have a different power to affect the way time behaves, and it is time's strangeness that creates the puzzles. The time behaviors include: the ability to rewind, objects that are immune to being rewound, time that is tied to space, parallel realities, time dilation, and perhaps more. Braid treats your time and attention as precious; there is no filler in this game. Every puzzle shows you something new and interesting about the game world.

Best Original Downloadable Console Game

234 Comments

  • Wolf-5

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 7:05 am PT

    Braid is original indeed. Though I love Mega Man games.... it is not original.

  • Rizer

    Posted May 17, 2009 3:48 pm PT

    Braid, deffinately.

  • Sonicfannumber1

    Posted Mar 23, 2009 5:17 pm PT

    Geometry wars should have been a close 2nd, right behind Braid

  • calvinsora

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 1:57 pm PT

    I really want to play Braid...but I don't have a 360.

  • bluefishhead

    Posted Feb 15, 2009 2:35 pm PT

    geometry wars two is so dull, should not have been in the top 5

  • Timoteus_X

    Posted Feb 14, 2009 4:58 am PT

    I'm suprised Geom Wars only got 10%.. It should've been right up there.

  • renato1988

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 2:24 pm PT

    Can't wait for Braid to come to PC so i can download it

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Feb 13, 2009 1:29 am PT

    Braid was just beautiful.... well deserving of that vote.

  • Nocturnal15

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 5:55 pm PT

    Oh god braid was terrible. Geometry Wars and Castle Crashers are soooooo much better. Braid is just an overly complicated Super Mario.

  • Church069

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 8:25 am PT

    I own all of these games in this category and I must say while Braid was a good game with alot of great ideas, I found it to get rather boring after a while. I think I've only played it for about 5 to 6 hours of the whole time I've had the game(I bought it when it came out). I did find a good amount of the puzzle pieces but I found myself frustrated while playing rather than enjoying myself for most of the experience.

    This being said I think the game that deserves to be the winner in this category is Castle Crashers. While the gameplay is simplistic it does have alot to offer. I still play this game today with my friends online even though the game came out some time ago. I've enjoyed Castle Crashers more than most of the $60 dollar games out there.

    If Braid was made on an physical disc that I could hold in my hand, it would probably be collecting dust somewhere next to my Wii or sitting in the "Used" section at my local gamestop. I'm sorry if I offended any of the Braid lovers out there, but this is just my opinion.

  • AnelZukic

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 5:40 am PT

    Braid really deserves this spot

  • Tebbit

    Posted Feb 12, 2009 4:31 am PT

    While Braid definitely deserved to to win, I can't help but feel that Wipeout HD should have been at least nominated, because that game was pretty awesome.

  • adamrich81

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 1:47 pm PT

    I missed all the downloadable games this year, between the big game releases and playable demos, I definitely want to check some out though, like Braid.

  • Ace6706

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 10:48 am PT

    Castle Crashers!!!

  • DeathHeart95

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 9:26 am PT

    Braid is a very thought provoking game with great gameplay and a stellar story considering it's a XBLA game. Other than World of Goo, none of these games can compare.

  • Mason-McGlasson

    Posted Feb 11, 2009 3:56 am PT

    Notice when ever its a multiplatform (like Grand Theft Auto IV) game they show the xbox360 cover. Gamespot rides Microsoft.

  • DonTonyDeluca

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 8:22 pm PT

    im not much into arcade games or downloadable games but i shall have to give these titles a shot for sure

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 7:24 pm PT

    I initially thought that considering the choice of candidates, this particular category would receive less attention and thus fewer votes. After tallying the number of votes for this category and comparing it with the others', I found myself surprisingly wrong.

    Of the titles above, I played only World of Goo, but from watching videos and reading about the other games, I think Braid deserves to win.

    (I kept forgetting about the game, though. I am going to purchase it... sooner or later.)

  • crix3

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 6:58 pm PT

    ive never played braid, mainly cuz i got a ps3, but i already knew it would take both

  • Ze_Common_Cold

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 6:13 pm PT

    What? Castle Crashers, I had much more fun playing with. I beat Braid at a friend's place, and while it was amazing, I had sooo much fun playing with 4 people offline.

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