A couple weeks ago, we asked you to tell us about your favorite $10-and-under games. We’re all feeling the money crunch these days, so we decided to pool some of our favorite cheap games with write-ups from the Bitmob community and their favorites. We’re happy to say that you guys delivered big time.
The games cover a broad range, from free, addictive Flash games to deep adventure games to classics given a second chance. As for platforms, sure we’ll have you playing on Wii, PS3, and XB360, but the PC makes a strong showing, and we’ve even got you covered in the mobile sector.
We’ve broken the games into four categories that we’ll be posting over the next four days. Check out the links below to see what we have in store.
For day one, we bring you the first batch of freebies, which is dominated by PC games, not to mention Bitmob contributors Daniel Feit and Andrew Hiscock, who aren’t ashamed to write about their penny-pinching ways.
The Budget Game Bonanza!
Day 1: Freebies part 1
Day 2: Freebies part 2
Day 3: The Cheapies ($0.01 through $8 games)
Day 4: $9 to $10 Gems
8-Bit Killer
Price: Free
Where to get it: PC (The Internet Game Database)
This first-person shooter borrows elements from Wolfenstein 3D, Bionic Commando, and a host of other retro games. The simple graphics, music, and sound effects will instantly trigger the nostalgia center of your brain. The only bad news is, like in a classic NES game, you have no way to save your progress. Either beat the game in one sitting or start over the next time you play, it’s up to you. –Daniel Feit
Achievement Unlocked
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Kongregate)
This simple game takes place entirely on a single screen with no exit. The goal is to unlock all one hundred “achievements,” most of which are incredibly absurd. Indeed, the first one you’ll earn is for watching the developer’s logo at the start of the game. Complete the game fast enough and you’ll be rewarded with…an achievement. Meta-gaming at its finest. –Daniel Feit
Bango
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Gameshot)
Bango is an ideal Flash game: a quick, fun, time sink. The simple premise — step on every block so that each disappears when you step off it until you clear the screen — keeps you hooked, and the game continually adds new tricks. The N+-esque simple graphics have a minimalist appeal, and the throbbing soundtrack will likely lodge itself in your head. Give it a shot and chances are you’ll dig this catchy game. –Greg Ford
Battlefield Heroes
Price: Free
Where to get it: PC (Battlefield Heroes)
One of PC gaming’s (and now console) most storied shooter franchises received a comic face-lift (or down) with Heroes. Just because it’s free, cartoon inspired, and in third person does not make it any less an essential title in the series. Some of the subtlety has been stripped away, making it all the easier to try out. Now those countless hours of learning difficult vehicle controls and exploits can now be used to dress your avatar. –Andrew Hiscock
Boomstick
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Kongregate)
Presumably a reference to the awesome movie Army of Darkness, Boomstick is the epic tale of a stick figure wielding a shotgun against a steady stream of colored polygons. OK, you won’t actually find any story to speak of here, but you’d be surprised how much fun shooting random shapes can be. Plus, you’ve got a shotgun, so you can marvel at your sky-high accuracy rating when one pull of the trigger destroys three or four enemies. –Daniel Feit
Crush the Castle
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Armor Games)
Push the Button, Knock the Castle Down, Bump Bump
Push the Button, Knock the Castle Down, Bump Bump
The best Flash games are the ones that are stripped down to a single bite-size mechanic that is fun again and again. Taking down nameless medieval kings and their castles with a trebuchet has never been so much fun…even if this is the first time for such a setup! And don’t forget the free iPhone App. Cherchez la vache! For the initiated, try the remixed mechanics in the Players Pack. –Andrew Hiscock
Death vs. Monstars
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Kongregate)
Free-game haven Kongregate is overflowing with “twin stick” shooters, where you move with the keyboard and aim with the mouse. Death vs. Monstars uses an alternative control scheme that is all mouse. Your weapon is stuck on autofire (your fingers will thank you), and you have a slow-motion feature that helps when the enemies swarm you. The levels gradually get tougher, but an upgrade system is more than enough to get you to the final boss. –Daniel Feit
Eversion
Price: Free
Where to get it: PC (The Indie Game Database)
Greg Ford didn’t like it, but I cherish this deceptively cute game. At first glance it appears to be a simple platformer with a twist: Pressing the “everse” key in certain places changes the game world in subtle ways. The thing is, once you start peeling layers away from reality you never know how dark things may become. Two chilling endings await if you can reach the princess. –Daniel Feit
Fallen Empire: Legions
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (InstantAction)
I was never a fan of classic jetpack-shooter Tribes, so I had no real motivation to try the spiritual sequel other than it was free. Online multiplayer makes me uncomfortable. But when I get into a game by myself, I like to jump. And jump. And sing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” as I jetpack all about! Of course, you could actually have fun with honest to goodness Tribes action in your web browser…. Some people are hard to please. –Daniel Feit
Filler
Price: Free
Where to get it: Flash (Kongregate)
It starts with a box. Inside the box are a number of bouncing pellets. Your job is to fill the box by inflating balloons. Easy, right? The catch is the pellets will burst the balloons during inflation, and each level you complete adds more pellets while giving you fewer balloons to use. Simple physics and a gentle difficulty curve make this game hard to quit. –Daniel Feit
That wraps day one of the freebies. Check back tomorrow for a bunch more free games, and keep coming back the rest of the week to see the rest of our Budget Game Bonanza, including plenty of games for Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
The games cover a broad range, from free, addictive Flash games to deep adventure games to classics given a second change. As for platforms, sure we’ll have you playing on Wii, PS3, and XB360, but the PC makes a strong showing, and we’ve even got you covered in the mobile sector.
We’ve broken the games into four categories that we’ll be posting over the next four days: Freebies part 1, Freebies part 2, the Midrange ($0.01 through $8), and the
For day one, we bring you the first batch of freebies, which is dominated by PC games, not to mention Bitmob contributors Daniel Feit and Andrew Hiscock, who aren’t ashamed to write about their penny-pinching ways.