Top 10 downloaded PSN games of 2008

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 19th 2008 at 2:00PM }

PlayStation.com's Pulse program has revealed* PSN's "overall" most downloaded games of 2008. Now, before cursing the heavens that PAIN is at the top of the list, PS3 Fanboy is quick to point out that the game was free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year.

The list is still packed with surprises, especially with the performance of High Velocity Bowling and Aquatopia. It's good to see that PixelJunk Monsters did well, but where's Eden? WipEout HD's absence is also noticeable. We'd definitely like to see Pulse do this as a monthly feature.

*Copied list after the break for our mobile users who may not be able to read the image.

Pain
High Velocity Bowling
Super Stardust HD
PixelJunk Monsters
Flow
Warhawk
Aquatopia
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection
High Stakes Poker Edition
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty

Tags: pain, psn, psn-store, pulse, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

tmmoore_nc @ Dec 19th 2008 2:06PM

If I had to guess, it's only PSN exclusive titles. No Bionic Commando, Street Fighter II, or Mega Man 9 raise an eyebrow.

Jtenma @ Dec 19th 2008 2:19PM

to be fair, SFHD just came out...

Levi @ Dec 19th 2008 3:20PM

yeah, BC:R did really well for a download game, I would assume it should be on the list. I can see Mega Man not being on there though, even though it's one of my favorite games of the year ^_^ seems like not as many people liked it as I had hoped for. Too many kids that didn't expect the game to be as hard (initially) as it is.

Duke @ Dec 19th 2008 2:10PM

I think I got the first 6 on that list.

SirFishouse @ Dec 19th 2008 4:03PM

I think I got the first 7 on that list.

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 4:28PM

Shiiiiiiit, i just realised that i have them all.
Damn, wish i hadn't ticked that "save credit card" details box, makes it too damn easy to buy shit.

Just like the appstore. *glares at wallet raping iTouch*

The-E @ Dec 19th 2008 2:10PM

In all fairness WipEout(or where ever that capital is) launched like last month..That gives it a slight disadvantage compared to the others.

Pain IMO wasn't all that great..It was fun for like 15 mins then I never played it again!! Eden should be on there!!Its a class game and name!(nothing to do with the fact that it is mine!!:$)

Also what is Aquatopia?!?! Is it out in Europe??

ahsayuninew @ Dec 19th 2008 2:51PM

its basically a screensaver that involves the PS Eye, a fishtank

RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Dec 19th 2008 3:17PM

Yes is out in Europe, I think it costs £2/equivalent Euros (€3?).

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 5:04PM

You buy Aquatopia to put on when you have friends over.
"Oh you have a fish tank. Waaaaaait, thats no fish tank!"
Then you demonstrate the way you can interact with the fish using the camera.

Then you forget you ever bought it.

Saint Vegas @ Dec 19th 2008 2:12PM

Bionic Commando, Pixel Junk Eden, Wipeout, Street Fighter, and the rest of the ones that really kick butt, I should remind everyone, have only been out for six months or less.

So these downloads obviously have the advantage, number wise.

shane @ Dec 19th 2008 2:15PM

I've never even heard of aquatopia. Surprised wipeout and eden aren't there.

343 Guilty Fart @ Dec 19th 2008 2:20PM

I've only ever bought Pixeljunk Eden, though I'm suprised Ratchet and Clank is so low and a bowling game I've never heard of is so high.

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 5:01PM

Ratchet is one of the most expensive PSN games, and (sadly) also shortest. Surprised it even made the list to be honest.

Though glad, as its a beautiful, fantastic little snack for all Ratchet fans, of which there are apparently a lot of. So yay!

Danny F. @ Dec 19th 2008 2:20PM

Considering PAIN has been out since like the launch of the PS3 also helps. Though I myself never really wanted to try it out. I'm waiting on Fat Princess and that Tower Defense game for the PSN.

Also dissappointed Wipeout is not on the list, that is a must-buy for all PS3 owners.

The-E @ Dec 19th 2008 2:24PM

I'm nearly positive that Pain wasn't out for the launch of the PS3....

Actually....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_(video_game)

Negativecool @ Dec 19th 2008 2:20PM

No Wipeout? Really?

Vcize @ Dec 19th 2008 2:37PM

$25 plus no demo will do that to you.

Seriously, what the hell are these people thinking not releasing demos? It just screams "my game isn't good, so don't buy me!".

Downloadable games don't get nearly the press that full retail games do, and people aren't just going to drop money on these games they know nothing about because they have a cool name.

RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Dec 19th 2008 3:20PM

Too true about the demos or lack thereof. There are several games that I have an interest in, but won't buy without trying it first. Wipeout is one, Pixeljunk Racers is another.

Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Dec 19th 2008 4:58PM

If you familiar with the Wipeout franchise, you pretty much know what your getting with the PSN version.

I would like to see more demos though.

Billy @ Dec 20th 2008 2:36AM

$25? Did they raise the price? When I bought it, it was only $20. A steal either way though. The quality is that of a full retail game. I think they could have easily charged $30 or maybe even $40 and sold almost as many copies, as I'm sure a majority of the consumers have played one of the many wipeouts that have come out over the yreas. I would have paid $40 for it. Fucking fantastic game.

Ranus Studios @ Dec 19th 2008 2:21PM

echochrome? No?

Christ-ian @ Dec 19th 2008 2:32PM

That's what I was thinking. Very surprising, as I thought it was a really great original game. Plus, this being Sony and all, they promoted the shite out of it.

Shenanigans?

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 4:37PM

That game is like those magicEye photos from years back.
Some people get it, but most people just get a headache trying to get their heads around it.
If i could get my money back on it, i would, and i usually like puzzle games. But it *hurts* me.

mindshed @ Dec 19th 2008 2:25PM

blah blah, mostly worthless numbers. The real chart (as far as fanboy gamers are concerned) should track 1 years sales, not sales in 2008.

Daviesifier @ Dec 19th 2008 2:26PM

Please add me on PSN: Daviesifier

And try out my levels on LBP, please be generous with your hearts, i'm trying to get those damned trophies! :)

KnoW @ Dec 19th 2008 2:32PM

This list made me laugh. Pain is number one because you can get it free. Bowling and aquatopia are casual games so it would be safe to assume they were downloaded by casual gamers.(people who probably don't read gaming blogs or play the games we miss from the list.)Everyone I know that has a copy of bejeweled on their 360 downloaded it for the casual gamer in their house. I wouldn't be surprised if it was downloaded more than games like Braid and Castle Crashers.

Kodros @ Dec 19th 2008 3:02PM

So people who read gaming blogs can't like bowling?

KnoW @ Dec 19th 2008 3:41PM

Sure gaming enthusiasts can like bowling but that wasn't the point. I will play bejeweled but my mom wont play Halo3. I didnt say hardcore gamers don't play casual games. I was just noting that casual gamers can make top ten list look a lot different than we would expect.

Vidikron @ Dec 20th 2008 2:40AM

I think KnoW makes a good point. I too have Bejeweled on my 360 and I've hardly played it. It's on there for my wife, whom is casual gamer.

Tez @ Dec 19th 2008 2:38PM

People need to stop crying that Eden and Wipeout aren't on the list; they were released later in the year, most of these games have had the entire year to rack up the downloads.

russtophiles @ Dec 19th 2008 2:41PM

It makes me sad that Siren isn't on that list, but then again it doesn't surprise me considering there was a decent amount of people who didn't want to download a 9+ GB game and bought the Asian disc version instead.

I just finished it and as a horror fan I can say it's an amazing remake. Fixes most of the laundry list of gameplay problems the PS2 game had and is gorgeous and terrifying. I'm not thrilled about the episodic TV style presentation or not being able to buy it on disc, but on the upside it was only $30 during the halloween sale and load times are ridiculously short.

The fact that Pain of all things is #1 on this list makes me sad.

Roto13 @ Dec 19th 2008 2:52PM

Needs more Mega Man 9.

cantbeatmegaman @ Dec 19th 2008 3:20PM

Pain is #1 because it was free. I got it for free with my PS3. Game sucks.

SirFishouse @ Dec 19th 2008 4:01PM

No kidding... I hate Pain.

Certain trophies are character specific. You can't just unlock the characters, you have to buy them. Prime example of how DLC is ment to nickel and dime you.

Mornelithe @ Dec 19th 2008 3:57PM

I own 1,2,3,6,7,8. Wipeout and SF/BC aren't on there because most of the other titles have been out for ages. PAIN's been out an extremely long amount of time. So has HVB and SSHD, so it's definitely not a surprise that those are dominating this list.

For those who were asking, Aquatopia is a game that functions in conjunction with the PSEye. Basically a fish tank that you can interact with. Although, it's quite limited in it's scope. Not really worth the price, but meh, it was cheap so I don't really care either way. Not adverse to tossing 10-15 bucks out the window really.

Morne

dreadnought1 @ Dec 19th 2008 3:59PM

High Velocity Bowling is actually a very fun game. I think it has the best implementation of SIXAXIS functionality of any PS3 game, the online portion works well since the recent patch, it has tons of DLC support, it plays well, and it is one the few PS3 games that supports in game music. In other words it's the perfect drinking game.

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 4:26PM

Behold the power of WAGGLE!

Could its Wii-sports alike control system be the reason for its high placing?
Hmmm, this intruiges, and even frightens me.

Arturo @ Dec 19th 2008 4:01PM

I'm not complaining that it isn't on there because I know it hasn't been out long but....WipEout HD > all :P

ice~ @ Dec 19th 2008 4:14PM

I got a $20 PSN card and idk what to buy, im stuck between Pixel Junk Eden, Super Stardust HD and Wipeout....any recommendations?

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 4:32PM

They're all good.
Eden is a bit odd, love it or wonder what the fuss is all about really.
Pixeljunk Monsters is cheap and will give you dozens of hours of play, ace tower defence game.
As for Wipeout, i'm sure you've seen the videos. Doesn't compare to seeing it in full HD, wowza.

I'd get Wipeout myself, shows off the PS3, can make limitless HD wallpapers in photomode, online play is great, new patch makes it easier. And so on.

ice~ @ Dec 19th 2008 4:52PM

Yea im gonna go for Wipeout and Eden, thanks u really helped cause i was iffy on wipeout

Vidikron @ Dec 20th 2008 2:42AM

I'd likely go with WipEout too, but SSHD is a truly great game as well. I'd highly recommend you pick it up at some point.

ice~ @ Dec 20th 2008 10:17PM

Yea i bought SSHD for my 360. I don't play it much cause it's impossible to get into a ranked match. But i've looked into wipeout and i had no idea it had weapons i thought it was just pure racing...im definitely picking it up

JoeTheBlow @ Dec 19th 2008 4:33PM

Welcome to invisibleville.
Population, you! (and other moronic fanboys)

Noshino @ Dec 19th 2008 4:37PM

what?...

To begin with, PSN is the only one with full retail games such as Warhawk, Socom, and Burnout..

Sony has also put many of their big studios to work on PSN titles, such as WipEout, Siren, etc...

The only advantage that XBLA has over PSN is the standard use of demos, other than that, when it comes to content, PSN beats XBLA hands down