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PS3's downloadable games confirmed

Five (maybe six) new games confirmed for PS3's download service following info leak; SOE's Cash Carnage Chaos likely makes it half-dozen.

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In preparation for its event being held in San Francisco today, Sony Computer Entertainment America has released the latest details and information on several games. Among the list is a new batch of arcade-style games slated for release as part of Sony's online initiative, similar to the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service.

Those who keep up to date with gaming news will note that these games were leaked earlier this week, but today's releases are the first official confirmation of the titles.

In addition to the previously announced flOw, five first-party games are included in the list. The games are Blast Factor, Go! Sudoku!, Criminal Crackdown, Lemmings 2, and Go! Swizzleblock2. Another game from Sony Online Entertainment, Cash Carnage Chaos, was also announced today through a slew of screenshots. Though the screenshots appear to indicate that the game is headed for e-distribution, there were no details on the game.

Details on each of the first-party games are listed below. No prices or release dates were given for any of the games.

Next-gen flu shots, courtesy of Blast Factor.
Next-gen flu shots, courtesy of Blast Factor.

Blast Factor
Developer: Bluepoint Games
Supports: 1080p, Sixaxis tilt sensitivity

Blast Factor takes gaming microscopic, as players move through "specimens" and shoot down deadly viruses. By looking at the screenshots, it appears Blast Factor is in the vein of Bizarre Creations' XBLA hit Geometry Wars. Gamers will be able to compare their ranking online against other PS3 owners, and the difficulty level will adjust according to each player's skill.

Sudoku with the power of the Cell processor!
Sudoku with the power of the Cell processor!

Go! Sudoku!
Developer: Sumo Digital (OutRun 2 for the Xbox)

As its name suggest, Go! Sudoku! plays on the Sudoku craze that's currently sweeping the world. Each puzzle will be accompanied by an animated background and music, both of which respond to players' actions. The game's multiplayer mode will support up to four players. In an interesting choice of words, Sony's press release states that gamers will be able to download "up to 1,000 puzzles," possibly indicating that puzzle packs will be individual purchases.

Block party!
Block party!

Go! Swizzleblock2
Developer: not announced

Sony describes the game as a PS3 makeover of the "classic cube-swapping puzzle game." The game follows the formula of several block-based puzzlers--namely, match like colors and remove all the blocks from the screen. Buddies will be able to get together for four-player cooperative play or competitive team battles, or gamers can play solo in challenge, puzzle, and time-attack modes. Those with enough skills will be able to unlock the curiously titled hallucination option--which turns blocks into animals--or the hyper attack option.

Criminal Crackdown.
Criminal Crackdown.

Criminal Crackdown
Developer: SCEA Santa Monica (God of War) & Incognito Entertainment (Warhawk, Twisted Metal: Black)
Supports: 1080p, Sixaxis tilt sensitivity

Two studios with ties to God of War creator David Jaffe are getting together for Criminal Crackdown, which is almost certainly the mystery game that Jaffe alluded to in a recent blog post. The game is described as vehicular-based multiplayer party game set in a cartoonish environment where players are bounty hunters scouring the streets for criminals on the lam. There will be four levels of gameplay, more than 10 rides, and several weapon power-ups.

Sony fanbo--I mean, Lemmings!.
Sony fanbo--I mean, Lemmings!.

Lemmings 2 (published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)
Developer: SCEA
Supports: 1080p

The classic franchise Lemmings--which had gamers lead poor mindless creatures toward salvation--gets another console incarnation in Lemmings 2. The PS3 version will include 40 new levels featuring dynamic lighting, all supporting high-definition 1080p resolution. New to this version are cloning and teleporting machines, as well as online leaderboards.

For more information on these games, check back later for GameSpot's previews or head over to the PlayStation 3 launch-center page.

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