There’s still treasure to be found on last-gen consoles

Published 5:16 pm Saturday, September 6, 2014

We’re getting closer to the first big fall lineup of current-generation consoles like Xbox One and Playstation 4. That means, sooner or later, the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 will fall by the wayside as more games are released.

If you’re like me (without money to buy a new console), you’re still looking to maximize your increasingly older system. Fret not: There’s a lot of cool gems to check out on the 360 and PS3. While many have likely played bigger titles like “Gears of War” and “Assassin’s Creed,” there are many games that flew under the radar that gamers can still pick up. Here’s a list of games to catch before you make the switch to a newer console.

1. “Papo & Yo” — PS3, Steam, iTunes

Here’s a fun platformer that makes you think. “Papo & Yo” is an allegory for families dealing with alcoholism. Brazilian Quico hides from his alcoholic father and eventually discovers a fantasy land filled with adventures and obstacles for him and his lovable pal, Monster, to overcome.

 2. “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” — 360

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Remember “Space Invaders” and “Asteroid?” This is like that, only taken to the next level. “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” is a great way to spend time as you control a small space ship that can move in any direction to destroy various shapes. It’s incredibly addictive and a blast to play.

 3. “Shadows of the Damned” — 360, PS3

This action-horror game didn’t get a lot of love when it came out in 2011, despite an all-star cast of developers behind it. Crazy designer Suda51 partnered with “Resident Evil” creator Shinji Mikami to produce the game, with “Silent Hill” music composer Akira Yamaoka providing the score. The game is a mature-themed race against the clock as demon hunter Garcia Hotspur chases after the lord of demons, Fleming, to rescue his girlfriend, Paula.

 4. “Rez HD” — 360

“Rez” is a music shooter, which sounds incompatible but is actually a load of fun. The game revolves around shooting objects and shapes in a rail shooter setting, though each target destroyed provides a note in the song playing in the background. In other words, you make music through shooting stuff. The game was originally released on Dreamcast and Playstation 2, but a prequel, “Child of Eden,” was released on the PS3 and 360 in 2011.

There are also a few titles scheduled for release on the PS3 over the next few months, including a few zany Japanese titles.