Sony Introduces Digitally Distributed PlayStation Games

Sony's PlayStation Network, which connects PlayStation 3 and PSP gamers to digitally distributed content, now has downloadable PlayStation games. Sony's introduced five classic games, including "Snow Boarders," "Crash Bandicoot," "Hot Shots Golf 2," "Syphon Filter," and "Tekken 2," which cost $5.99 each to purchase.

Once bought, these games can be downloaded to a PSP wirelessly or through a USB cable and played on-the-go. New classic games will be updated on a regular basis, including a second batch of games heading to PlayStation Network later this month. This is just the beginning for those gamers who have or buy both a PS3 and a PSP. A new upgrade allows gamers with Wi-Fi homes to watch PS3 content through their PSP anywhere in the house. Next year, this feature will be upgraded to any hotspot anywhere in the world. That means if you have content on your PS3 hard drive, you can watch it or listen to it remotely anywhere there's a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Sony's also following Microsoft's lead with the PlayStation Store. This online store, like Xbox Live Marketplace, allows gamers to download free movie trailers and game demos. Over time, original games for PS3 will be sold here, as well as movies, TV shows and music. Microsoft already is selling TV shows and renting movies via Xbox Live Marketplace. Nintendo also has a rich offering of classic games for Wii. Gamers can buy an assortment of classic Nintendo, Sega and Turbo Grafx16 games through the Wii Shop and play them with the new Wii classic controller. All three systems support Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity, which opens up the gaming console to new digital distribution possibilities.