5. Resident Evil 5

This one should probably rank a little higher, except for the fact that it hasn’t been released yet. But still, the idea of a co-op Resident Evil game is enough to justify a spot on this list, even though we have yet to play it. It won’t be long though, and once March 13 finally hits we’ll all be able to spend some quality shooting zombies with our friends.

4. Guitar Hero: World Tour/Rock Band 2

Music games are always a good bet, and they have the added benefit of being able to be played by up to four players at a time. The only real problem is deciding between Guitar Hero and Rock Band. My opinion: Guitar Hero has much better instruments, while Rock Band has a larger and better selection of songs.

3. Bionic Commando: Rearmed

Old school games like Bionic Commando are tough as nails, so it’s always a good thing to have a buddy along for the ride. In the PSN remake Rearmed, this is an option, as players can choose to go through the entire game playing cooperatively with a buddy. But things aren’t all easier, as the enemies and bosses are adjusted when you bring another player along.

2. Warhawk

This over the top, multiplayer shooter is great, especially if you’re willing to put the time in to learn it properly. The level design is incredible, and there all sorts of cool weapons and vehicles to play around with. The only downside is that the game has garnered somewhat of a dedicated following, so playing with people you don’t know will almost definitely result in some frustrating times.

1. LittleBigPlanet

It may just be a simple platformer, but LBP is an absolute blast to play with friends. Players can either help out one another, or mess around creating all kinds of chaos. There are even a number of levels that have areas that can only be accessed by two or more players, creating even more incentive to bring along a pal.

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The Top 5 Multiplayer Games On PS3

5. Dino Crisis

With the success of the Resident Evil franchise, Capcom’s other survival horror series was somewhat forgotten. So what better way to bring it back then adding it to the PS Store. The game had pretty much everything: guns, suspense, and a giant T-Rex stalking you throughout the game. It’s definitely a title that players who missed it the first time around would enjoy playing.

4. Metal Gear Solid

It sure makes me feel old to say this, but there are probably plenty of gamers who played through last years Metal Gear Solid 4 but never the original. And considering the complexity of the plot, it’d probably be a good thing if they went back and played the first MGS in order to connect some of the dots. Not only that, but it just so happens to be a pretty damn good game, even if the sneaking can get a tad frustrating at times.

3. Vib-Ribbon

Possibly the most exciting aspect of digital downloads for classic games is the ability to give creative, under appreciated titles a second shot. Enter Vib Ribbon. From the creator of PaRappa the Rapper, Vib Ribbon is a unique blend of action and music game that makes use of a players own musical library. Given the PS3s ability to store music, this could make it the perfect platform for the title.

2. Parasite Eve

And speaking of games that deserve a second shot, here we have Parasite Eve. Forget its terrible sequel, this game brought together a unique blend of survival horror and role-playing elements into one of the best games to hit the PSOne. While Square Enix may not be the most adventurous nowadays with the games it releases, PE was certainly a unique and interesting title, even by today’s standards.

1. Final Fantasy…anything!

We all know it won’t happen, but a guy can still dream, can’t he? The PSOne saw some of the best Final Fantasy games ever released, with VII, VIII, IX, and Tactics. Unfortunately, Square Enix has a track record of remaking or porting games, and then charging full price. So a $5.99 download seems out of the questions. Still, it would give series fans something to do while waiting for FFXIII to come out.

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The Top 5 PSOne Games That Should Hit the PS3

5. Pure

With all of the great racing games on the PS3, you’d be forgiven for missing out on Pure. After all, MotorStorm does an excellent job of fulfilling your off-road racing needs. But if you love high-flying ATV action then you really should pick up a copy of Pure. The heights are dizzying, the tricks are crazy, and the speed is intense.

4. Alone in the Dark: Inferno

The early versions of Alone in the Dark were critically panned, and with good reason: the game was a frustrating mess. And though it still isn’t perfect, the much delayed PS3 version is much improved. The game has some truly epic moments, which almost make up for the more frustrating ones. Add in some beautiful graphics and you have a title that is worth at least a rental.

3. Siren: Blood Curse

If there is one thing the PS3 needs more of, it’s good horror games. Fortunately, Siren: Blood Curse fits the bill perfectly with a creepy atmosphere and tense battles. Unfortunately, the game was often overlooked due to its delivery method. You can’t buy Siren on a Blu Ray disc, instead it is only available as a series of episodic downloads. The process is time consuming, and all together the episodes are the most expensive thing on the PlayStation Network. But if you’re a horror fan, there really isn’t much to compare it to on the PS3.

2. SingStar

With all of the peripheral heavy music games dominating the charts, the SingStar series is often forgotten. But for fans of drunken (or non-drunken) karaoke singing, there really is nothing else. The game is remarkably well put together and features a great mix of different types of songs, which can of course be beefed up by downloading new songs from the SingStore.

1. Valkyria Chronicles

Unlike its predecessor, the PS3 has not seen a flood of Japanese role-playing games. Yet, when an excellent one comes along, like say Valkyria Chronicles, it sells extremely poorly. It may not be a traditional RPG, with its combination of real time and turn based strategy, but its a compelling game nonetheless. In addition to the unique combat, the game has a beautiful art style and a very compelling alternate history story. A must have for RPG fans.

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5. Heavy Rain

While the rest of this list is dominated by sequels, Heavy Rain looks to be a truly original experience. From the developer behind the cult hit Indigo Prophecy, the game will be a mix of a psychological mystery and a thriller. By using highly advanced motion capture techniques, Heavy Rain is able to create some truly stunningly realistic characters, which should add a great deal to the emotional narrative.

4. Killzone 2

The oft-delayed sequel to a somewhat disappointing PS2 shooter, Killzone 2 has a lot to prove. But luckily for PS3 owners, it appears to be living up to the hype. Early previews and reviews are suggesting that the game could be one of the best shooters of the year, but only time will tell just how good the game turns out to be.

3. flOwer

2008 saw the PSN really come into its own with a slew of innovative titles, and it looks like this year will be no different. Leading the way is FlOwer, from the creators of the oddly surreal and relaxing flOw. Surprisingly, flOwer may be even more soothing than its predecessor, as player guide a petal through various fields using the SIXAXIS motion controls.

2. God of War III

Finally! The end of 2009 should bring with it the long anticipated third God of War game, and the first to hit the PS3. The last game was able to squeeze every bit of juice out of the PS2, creating a incredibly epic, larger than life action title. With the move to the PS3, things can only get bigger and better. David Jaffe is excited, and so should you.

1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Though we still don’t know much about it, there is much be excited about with Uncharted 2. Not only is it the sequel to one of the best games to yet grace the PS3, but it will take place in a new setting and include some new gameplay elements. These include both stealth segments and an all new climbing mechanic. More details should be revealed throughout the year, but really, just the though of jumping into Nathan Drake’s shoes once again has us very excited.

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The Top 5 Games To Look Forward To In 2009

4. Dissidia: Final Fantasy

Handheld fighting games don’t have the best track record, but there is a lot to be excited for in Dissidia if you’re a Final Fantasy fan. The game pits characters from all 12 games in the franchise, allowing you to enact battles that were once only possible in elaborate fan fiction. Ever wanted to know who would win if Squall and Cloud got into a scrap? Sephiroth versus Gabranth? Well, now you can.

3. The King of Fighters XII

Despite the onslaught of 3D fighters flooding the market, there really is nothing better than a great looking 2D brawler. Much like SSF2THDR, the upcoming King of Fighters XII will feature incredibly detailed, hand drawn 2D visuals. The result is the game looks absolutely stunning in motion.

2. Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion

Though the game was announced not too long ago, it’s hard not to be excited for a new Tekken game. The console version will be slightly altered from the upcoming arcade edition, though in what way we still don’t know. What is known is that the game will feature online multiplayer matches, new gameplay innovations, and a massive cast of 42 fighters. Now we just need a release date.

1. Street Fighter IV

The latest entry in arguably the most popular fighting franchise will bring Street Fighter back to its roots. The game will stick with the 2D style that made it so poopular, reduce its cast to (mostly) familiar faces, and simplify the overcomplicated gameplay that plagued SFIII. The result looks great, and should be on the wish list of every fighting game fan out there. Get ready to get your hadoken-on in February

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The Top 4 Upcoming Fighters

5. It’s like a 3D chat room

While in Home, you will have plenty of opportunity to communicate with any of the people you come across. This can be done via text or voice chat, as well as with movements made by your 3D avatar such as waving or dancing.

4. There’s plenty to do

Aside from just talking with other people, Home also offers a variety of activities for you to do. While travelling throughout the Home world, players can play games like bowling or billiards, catch up on the latest movie or game trailers, as well as participate in plenty of live events like developer interviews or sporting events.

3. You get your own space

In addition to the Home hub-world where all of the games and activities take place, each user will get their own apartment area. This private space can be customized to your liking, and serves as a display area for all of the Trophies you’ve earned. Initially you’ll start out in a small apartment, but this can eventually be upgraded to more impressive looking homes.

2. There will be game-specific spaces

Of course, Home is on the PlayStation 3, so there have to be at least a few game tie-ins involved. One of the more interesting is the game specific spaces where you can learn more about already released and upcoming titles. These spaces will be themed to their respective games: for example, the Warhawk area looks like a war room, while the Uncharted space is a humid jungle.

1. It’s free…mostly

Downloading Home won’t cost you a cent, thanks to a whole bunch of different sponsors, but to get the most out of it, you may end up spending a few dollars. While you don’t have to purchase anything, you can use real-world money to buy new clothes for your avatar or upgrade your apartment. However, as stated earlier, these aren’t necessary. So it’s completely up to you whether or not you end up buying that awesome new t-shirt.

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The Top 5 Things You Need To Know About Home

5. Fallout 3

The post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. portrayed in Fallout 3 offers a huge sandbox for gamers to play around in, even if it is teeming with radioactive mutants. This large world offers dozens of hours of gameplay, as it would take quote a while to explore the entire area. Even better, the game begs for multiple playthroughs, as you can get a totally different experience based on whether or not you play as a good character, a bad one, or somewhere in between. The only downside is that it is a full price release.

4.WipEout HD

It’s no secret that we are big fans of WipEout HD, and there’s good reason for it. Not only is it one of the best racers on the PS3, it is also a steal at just $19.99. And with 8 different circuits and some great online multiplayer, it’s a game that will last you well into the new year.

3. The Orange Box

Now it’s really hard to deny this deal. Take one of the best first-person shooters of all time, Half-Life 2, add in the great multiplayer mayhem of Team Fortress 2 and the awesomeness that is Portal, and you have possibly the best gaming box set on the market. The best part is that most retailers are now offering The Orange Box pretty cheap, so you can grab all of these great games for $29.99 and under.

2. Burnout Paradise

Sure, it may be just a racer, but it’s a racer with a metric ton of content to go along with it. When you pick up Burnout Paradise (which, by the way, is available for download on the PlayStation Network) not only do you get the excellent retail release, but also all of the content that Criterion Games has released since its launch. This includes a bunch of new cars, the addition of motorcycles, and a few new game play modes. Not bad for $29.99.

1. LittleBigPlanet

But when it comes to bang for your buck, it is really tough to beat the value of LittleBigPlanet. This absolutely charming platformer offers a plethora of new content every day thanks to the magic of user generated content. This ensures that there is always new levels for you to try, a lot of which are quite good. Sure, it’s a full priced game, but it’s one you can play almost infinitely.

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5. Lengthy Installs

There’s nothing worse then downloading a new game off of the PlayStation Network, getting ready to play, and then realizing it still has to install. This process tends to take as long, if not longer, then the actual download. But what’s worse, unlike downloading, this process can’t be done in the background, meaning you are stuck staring at a slow moving bar.

4. Frequent Game Updates

Now this is something I ran into not once, but twice last night. I played a little of both LittleBigPlanet and WipEout HD, and before being able to play either game, I had to download a mandatory update. I couldn’t do it later, I had to do it now or I couldn’t play. And like the installs, this can’t be done in the backgroung. These updates seem to happen way too often, and though they obviously improve the quality of the game itself, the frequency and length of them prevents you from enjoying a game right away.

3. Dust!

We’ve all seen the pictures of the dusty PS3 that was refused warranty by Sony. And while that’s an extreme example, the shiny black surface of the PS3 sure seems to attract dust bunnies. Even though mine is locked away behind a sheet of glass beneath the television, I still have to dust it almost daily.

2. USB Cord

One of the best, unhearalded innovations this console generation is the fact that wireless controllers are now the norm. Playing without a wire is just so damn convenient, so much so that it can be tough to go back to classic wired controllers. Which is what you have to do if your Sixaxis or Dual Shock 3 ever runs out of juice. The controller has to be plugged in to be charged, which is reasonable. But what isn’t reasonable, is that the cord is only a few feet long, meaning that I’m stuck with burning eyes from sitting too close to the screen.

1. Lack of Backwards Compatibility

Now this is  may not be a problem for those of you lucky enough to have purchased a launch window PS3, but those of us with newer models are stuck not being able to play PS2 games on our PS3. Considering how many great games Sony’s previous console had, this is really a shame. What’s worse is that I’m stuck with yet another console under the TV so that I can still have random SingStar parties or lengthy Disgaea marathons.

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5. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

The pre-eminent racing sim out there, Gran Turismo leads the way when it comes to driving physics, visuals, and customization options. The fifth entry in the series ups the ante in all those aspects, and is one of the best looking games of the current generation. Unfortunately, the only edition available right now is the Prologue, which is essentially a glorified demo with less cars and tracks. But for GT fans, it’s a good, albeit expensive, way to kill time until the real GT5 comes out.

4. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

Sometimes it’s fun to just hop in a monster truck, and run over things. Thank you Motor Storm: Pacific Rift. The sequel to the PS3 launch title introduces these massive vehicles, which join a cast full of bikes, ATVs, buggies, rally cars, big rigs, racing trucks, and mud pluggers. The new version also switches up the setting, throwing gamers onto a tropical island making the game much less brown then its predecessor. The new boost mechanic also adds a new level of strategy, as your vehicle can be cooled off by running through water.

3. Pure

But if you’re looking for a simpler, more accessible off-road racer make sure to check out Pure. Sure, it doesn’t have the vehicle selection of MotorStorm–you can only race ATVs in this one–but its simple control scheme and intense sense of scale make it one of the most entertaining racers in recent memory. Check out our review for more details.

2. WipEout HD

This PlayStation Network racer is probably the fastest thing available on the PS3. WipEout HD is the latest entry in the futuristic racing series, though in reality it’s just a much prettier version of the PSP games. Not that that’s a bad thing. In fact, WipEout HD is one the best PS3 games period. Not bad for a game that’s only $19.99.

1. Burnout Paradise

But if you can only buy one racer, it really should be Burnout. The game features an incredibly large city explore, full of tons of events and secrets to find. It also is good fun with a buddy or two, featuring hop-in/hop-out online multiplayer. But the best part of Paradise is the constant updates being made by developer Criterion. There has been a steady stream of compelling DLC released for the game, including the introduction of motorcycles, new cars, and several new gameplay modes. And there’s more to come, meaning that Burnout Paradise is a racer that could last you well into next year.

Don’t forget to check out last week’s Top 5, which looks at the best PlayStation Network palette cleaners.

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5. WipEout HD

Racing games are great when you only have a short amount of time to play. You can squeeze in a race or two in no time, especially in a game as fast as WipEout HD. The only problem is that one race can quickly lead to five, which then leads to you forgetting to pick up the kids from school. Woops!

4. Mega Man 9

Old-school gaming is great, because the game mechanics are easy to grasp, but hard to master. And though Mega Man 9 is a brand new title, it brings that same old school mentality–not to mention delightfully pixelated 8-bit graphics. The best part about playing MM9 with limited time is that you can get a lot out of only a few minutes of play. In 10 minutes time you can die upwards of 14 times.

3. flOw

If you aren’t in the mood to get frustrated dying a few dozen times, you may want to try a more relaxing experience. Enter flOw. This aquatic life simulator combines soothing tones and subdued visuals for what amounts to a truly unique experience. It’s not so great for long sessions, but in short bursts can be perfect for a gamer plowing through all of  AAA holiday releases.

2. PixelJunk Eden

 A step up from flOw challenge wise, Eden is still a very chilled out experience, only with a little more game behind it. You collect pollen in order to open up new areas, which are accessed by swinging and jumping off of plants. The game also features a beautiful abstract aesthetic that is perfect from getting away from the photorealistic look of most modern games.

1. Everyday Shooter

There’s nothing like a twin-stick shooter to freshen you up before moving onto the next big, time-consuming game. Unfortunately, most of them can be frustratingly hard. What’s great about Everyday Shooter is that it is very accessible, so that you don’t have to spend lots of time memorizing enemy patterns or learning how to use multiple weapons. It’s just a straight up shooter, that happens to sport some of the most unique graphics on the PS3, not to mention one kick-ass soundtrack.

Don’t forget to check out last weeks Top 5 Reasons to Keep Your PS2.

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