Want to know what downloadable videogames were released digitally this week?

Here I will list the latest downloads for all digital platforms.

Table of Contents

• Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace (Xbox 360)
• PlayStation Network (PS3, PS Vita, PSP)
• Nintendo Downloads (3DS, Wii, DS)
• Steam (PC, Mac)
• GOG (PC, Mac, Linux, etc.)
• Origin (PC)
• App Store (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad)
• Android Marketplace (Mobile, Browsers, PC)
• OnLive (TV, PC, Mac, Android, iOS)

If you aren’t familiar with the term “digitital download”, it refers to the ability to purchase and download a digital copy (as opposed to buying a physical object in a real brick-and-mortar store) of a videogame file that is stored on the device you purchased it on. In this day and age, digital versions of major videogames are available from many publishers and for almost every platform.

Additionally, the Personal Computer platform has hosted digital downloads for a much longer time period. It wasn’t until this decade that console systems, mainly with the advent of Microsoft’s Xbox and it’s “Xbox Live” service that console users were finally given the ability to download digital products and digital updates These updates included “patches”, that fix issues with the original release; Or “DLC” which stands for “Downloadable Content” and adds all-new gameplay content and features to an existing product, expanding it and ensuring the life of the product is extended as players dive back in to play the new content.

With the advent of the iPhone and Apple’s runaway success in revolutionizing the MP3 Music Player market with their iPod and it’s “App Store” digital marketplace, the cellphone market with their iPhone and the tablet PC market with their iPad and the mobile gaming market with their iPod Touch; the term “App” (which is short for “application”, like a computer application you install on your PC… basically a replacement word for “program”) became a household name. Along with actual Apps that give you expanded functions for your device, like a Calculator, Guitar Tuner, Music Program or Alarm Clock (which is what the traditional word “App” originally described, those types of programs), the word “App” eventually became a catchall term that meant any downloadable program for a small “mobile” device like a Cellphone, iPod, Android, PDA or Tablet… and eventually even downloadable videogames were sometimes referred to as “Apps”. Btw the catchall term for Apple devices is “iOS” as they use the “iOS Operation System”.

All this history is to make a point… these days almost any device, including portable videogame systems, consoles game systems, computer systems (PC, Mac, Linux), cellphones, tablets, eReaders and other devices, all of them can download digital products. More and more everything you know, from movies and TV shows to videogames to books, magazines, comics and newspapers, are available in digital form and purchaseable in a non-physical state for access on a certain device.

Here I will list the Videogame Digital Downloads of the Week for many of these services. For an overview of what each service is (or means), read the footer at the bottom of this article.

New Digital Videogame Releases This Week (April 23rd-April 29th 2012):

XBOX LIVE ARCADE MARKETPLACE (Xbox 360)

Game Name: Bloodforge
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points (US$15 / €14.40 / £10.20 / CAN$18.60 / AU$19.80)
Availability: Check availability in your Xbox LIVE region
Synopsis: With a brutal combat system, stunning art style, and a deeply compelling story, “Bloodforge” empowers you to slaughter hordes of demonic soldiers, deformed worshippers, and the gods themselves, using ferocious Rage Kills, devastating Rune attacks, and furious Weapon Combos. Help seal Crom’s fate – and the fate of the rest of the world – in this dark, visceral story of revenge, betrayal, and destiny.

Game Name: Deep Black: Episode 1
Price: 800 Microsoft Points (that’s US$10 / €9.60 / £6.80 / CAN$12.40 / AU$13.20)
Availability: Check availability in your Xbox LIVE region
Synopsis: A Sci-fi project featuring detailed, action-packed underwater combat which will introduce a new trend in the TPS genre. An Exciting game play that features the dynamic use of both environments for combats: land and underwater. An original multiplayer mode with underwater battles that offer the player a totally different and new experience! Players will descend the murky depths in pursuit of enemies armed with a selection of underwater equipment that range from a specialized suit with jet pack and integrated harpoon as well as other high tech equipment. With the majority of the game play taking place below the water’s surface, action-adventure fans will need to master new skills to fight hostile enemies and to infiltrate enemy bases. The story line takes place in the nearest future in a world of unsteadiness, chaos, espionage, terrorism and the desperate fight for world supremacy and possession of sophisticated biological weapon.

Other XBLA Content:
Two demos this week for Dragon’s Dogma (Capcom’s upcoming epic open-world Skyrim style game) and Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden 3 are available to download so you can give a sample of the game’s a try.
New Games On Demand titles (full Xbox 360 games you can download instead of getting on disc) include: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 ($40) and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record ($20).
The new Game Add-On for this week is for UEFA Euro 2012 (costing 1800 MSP), and the new beta this week is for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.
Deals this week include: NBA Jam: On Fire (800 MSP, 30% off) and the NBA Avatar Collection “Buzzer Beater” Avatar for 80 MSP (50% savings).
New Avatar Clothing & Accessories this week include: Ninjas Collection update, Fable Heroes, Prototype 2, Darksiders II and Atticus Collection.

PLAYSTATION NETWORK (PS3, PS Vita, PSP)

PSN Game Name: Bejeweled 3
Price: $15
File Size: 162 MB
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Synopsis: Escape to the biggest, brightest Bejeweled. Discover all-new ways to play the world’s number 1 puzzle game!

PSN Game Name: Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
Price: $10
File Size: 56 MB
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Synopsis: Want a game you can really sink your teeth into? Swim and swerve through underwater worlds and chow down on smaller fish as you chomp your way to ocean supremacy.

PSN Game Name: The Walking Dead – Episode 1: A New Day
Price: $5
File Size: 476 MB
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Synopsis: Episode one of a five-part game series set in the same universe as Robert Kirkman’s award-winning series. Play as Lee Everett, a convicted criminal, who has been given a second chance at life in a world devastated by the undead.

PSN Game Name: The Walking Dead – Season Pass
Price: $20
File Size: 2.61 GB
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Synopsis: Season pass for the The Walking Dead, buy this and you’ll receive each new episode as it releases. Includes episodes 1 – 5.

PSN Game Name: Zuma
Price: $10
File Size: 20 MB
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Synopsis: Survive the ancient temples of Zuma, the critically acclaimed action-puzzler from PopCap! Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it’s up to you to uncover their treasures.

PSN Game Name: Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds Complete Collection
Price: $25
File Size: 5.97GB
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Synopsis: Download and play Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds with the complete DLC collection bundled together for the first time. Tee off as Kratos from God of War and dominate the links with the Blades of Chaos, or set new grounds with Sackboy through the Golfasaurus-Rex B.C.C. course.

Full PS3 Digital Download Game Name: Battlefield 3
Price: $60
File Size: 12.22 GB
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Synopsis: In Battlefield 3, players will step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines. They will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer action ranging across diverse locations from around the globe.

Full PS3 Digital Download Game Name: Grease Dance
Price: $20
File Size: 2.31 GB
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Synopsis: This is Grease for the New Generation, inspired by the 50?s and danced by you! Shake out your hair, turn up your style and release your inner rock and roll party queen.

Full PS3 Digital Download Game Name: The Cursed Crusade
Price: $20
File Size: 4.79 GB
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the Old World, two adventurers—both seasoned warriors—will quest across a Western Europe ablaze with the turmoil of a newly begun Fourth Crusade.

PS2 Classics Game Name: Red Faction
Price: $10
File Size: 1.74 GB
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Synopsis: Join coal miner Parker and help him take down Mars’ oppressive mining corporation and liberate the planet in this classic first person shooter.

PSone Classics Game Name: Future Cop L.A.P.D.
Price: $6
File Size: 246 MB
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Synopsis: In a devastated city, gangs have taken over Los Angeles. Armed with the ultimate assault vehicle, the L.A.P.D. must now reclaim the streets!

PSone Classics Game Name: Darkstalkers 3
Price: $6
File Size: 485 MB
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Synopsis: Pummel opponents as your favorite mythological monster in this classic 2D fighting game. Download Darkstalkers 3 today!

PS Vita App: Skype
Price: Free
File Size: 9.2 MB
ESRB Rating: =None
Synopsis: Compatible with PlayStation Vita system only. Stay in touch with friends and family with Skype on your PS Vita system. Enjoy free video and voice calls to anyone else on Skype, and make calls to mobiles and landlines anywhere in the world. You can connect to Skype on AT&T’s Mobile 3G Broadband Network. We recommend using a Wi-Fi connection; your operator may charge you extra for using your data connection.

PSP Minis Game Name: Golf Mania
Price: $4
File Size: 54 MB
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

PSP Minis Game Name: Ikari III: The Rescue
Price: $3
File Size: 33 MB
ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Other PSN Content:
PlayStation Plus members get full game trials for The Cursed Crusade and Battlefield 3, discounts on Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds games and discounts on Add-Ons for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic Unleashed.
Game Demos include: Ninja Gaiden 3, Dragon’s Dogma and The Walking Dead.
Lots of Add-Ons this week and they include an Escape Plan costume for LittleBigPlanet 2 ($2) alongside a Journey Costume ($2), Asura’s Wrath gets a $7 “Episode Pack: Part IV”, FIFA Soccer 12 gets the UEFA Euro 2012 Expansion for $20, or $16 if you buy the Season Ticket pass, there’s also a downloadable free trial. Armored Core V gets the Heavy Assault Pack for $3 alongside the Recon Set ($3). Soulcalibur V gets the Ancient Armor 1 Set ($3) and the Cepheus Compatibility Pack 2 (free), which includes the Soulcalibur V Tekken Costumes. Soulcalibur V also gets the Modern Costumes 1 Pack ($3) and the Tekken V Costumes 1 Pack ($3). Elevator Action HD gets the Additional Stages 4 Pack ($2), Ninja Gaiden 3 gets the “Ultimate Ninja Pack” (free), Warriors Orochi 3 gets the “Samurai Costume” (99 cents) alongside the Stage Pack 1 ($2), Wallpapers DLC 1 ($4) and BGM Pack 1 (Background Music) for $2. Worms Ultimate Mayhem gets the Single-Player Pack for $5, and Rock Band 3 gets the following songs: 3 songs by Cinderell for $2 each: Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone), Nobody’s Fool and Shilter Me, or buy them altogether for $5.49. The Rock Band Network version 2.0 gets these song updates: “Feathergun in the Garden of the Sun” by Rishloo, “Firefight” by Blackguard, “Keyhole in the Sky” by Rishloo, “Rocket Dragon” by Machinae Supremacy, and “Gordon Freeman Saved My Life” by Miracle of Sound, all songs are 99 cents each.
Game & Update Sales include: Rock Band 3 Rbn 2.0 song “Bigger Than A Kiss” on sale for 99 cents from $2, Cars 2: The Videogame $30 from $40, Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean PS3 $20 from $40, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean PSP $20 from $30 and DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY (PSP) $20 from $30. Qore: Episode 47 is now out.
New Avatar Updates” include: Dynasty Warriors Next, Phantom Brave, King of Fighters XIII, Disgaea 4, Dynasty Warriors 7, and Warriors Orochi 3.
New Game Videos include: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Collection 1 Launch Trailer), Pulse 4/24 Edition, Bioshock Infinite trailers “Heavy Hitters: Boys of Silence” and “Heavy Hitters: Siren”, Resident Evil 6′s 2nd Trailer, Max Payne 3 featurette “Design and Tech Series Video #3″ and Multiplayer Trailer Part 1, The Walking Dead videogame debut trailer, “Playing Dead: Episode 1 Trailer”, and Teaser Trailer. And the first “I Am Alive” Developer Diary.
New PS3 Themes include: Prong Tattoo Model Theme ($2), A.C. Milan 2011-2012 Team Dynamic Theme ($3), Poolside Rendevous Dynamic Theme ($3), Beachside Encounter Dynamic Theme ($3), Dynamic Celtic Theme 1 ($3), Dynamic Celtic Theme 2 ($3), Dynamic Anime Theme 3 ($3) and Dynamic Anime Theme 4 ($3)

PS Vita Add-Ons include:

PS Vita Add-On Name: Ridge Racer Car 06 ‘Rc410′
Price: $1.49 (Free For Silver Pass)
File Size: 3.52 MB
Synopsis: Add a new machine to your game with the manufacturer KAMATA’s RC410
*This content is available for free to users who have purchased RIDGE RACER Silver Pass. Check your current contents to avoid double purchasing.

PS Vita Add-On Name: Ridge Racer Course 04 ‘Oceanfront Cruise Way’
Price: $2.49 (Free For Silver Pass)
File Size: 75 MB
Synopsis: Add a new course to your game with Oceanfront Cruise Way! Finish this stunning evening seaside course in the fastest time possible!
*This content is available for free to users who have purchased RIDGE RACER Silver Pass. Check your current contents to avoid double purchasing.

NINTENDO DOWNLOADS (3DS, Wii, DS)

3DS Major System Update:
Price: Free
Synopsis: This major system update adds the ability to organize your Channels into folders! This is something you can do on many other devices, so its only about time that 3DS owners be able to do the same. This means that you can easily organize your 3DS Games & Apps into different folders for say, “Virtual Console Games”, “Apps”, “eShop Games”, “DSiWare”, “Demos”, etc. This is a major deal and good on Nintendo for adding more ways to customize and streamline the Home section. Additionally, this system update adds the ability for Nintendo to issue automatic Patches or Updates for previously released games. The first one will be for Mario Kart 7 and it will patch the game to get rid of the shortcut exploits that some gamers have discovered, allowing them to essentially cheat in multiplayer races. You can see more about the new System Update at 1:05 minutes into this video.

3DS eShop Game Name: Block Factory
Price: $4
Synopsis: From the creators of “Pyramids” comes “Block Factory”! Create and share puzzles with this predefined falling-block puzzle game. Your goal is to avoid filling the playing field to the top. When a block hits the top, the game is over.

3DS Nintendo Video Update: I Fight Dragons Video Premiere
Price: Free
Synopsis: Chiptune rockband “I Fight Dragons” takes you on a space adventure in the premiere of the music video “Save World Get Girl” on Nintendo Video.

DSiWare/eShop Game Name: Chuck E. Cheese’s Arcade Room (500 DSi Points / $5)
Price: 500 DSi Points on DSi / $5 on 3DS
Synopsis: Chuck E. Cheese’s Arcade Room is a fun and exciting video game that digitally recreates the magic of being at a Chuck E. Cheese’s! Many games and prizes await you in Chuck E. Cheese’s Arcade Room! Polish off your toy hammer and Smash-a-Munch! Make consecutive shots to go on fire in Basketball Frenzy! Ride like the wind in Jasper’s Racing! You can even customize your very own Chuck E. Cheese’s avatar! The object of the game is to have fun, play games, and collect tickets. Various prizes and toys in the gift shop are redeemable with tickets.

Wii Virtual Console Game Name: Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers – Online Edition
Virtual Console System: Sega Genesis
Price: 800 Wii Points
Synopsis: Battle in online elimination tournaments with Ryu’s new flaming fireball and Ken’s new Dragon Punch. Fight head-to-head locally and compete against other challengers in heated online battles.

—-WORK IN PROGRESS…. STEAM, GOG, ANDROID, APPLE, ORIGIN, ETC. COMING SOON—–