United Gamer Online (UGO)

by Mike Smith
Traditional console and PC games usually cost anywhere between $40 and $60 -- but there's a whole other world out there, and it's considerably cheaper. Plenty of awesome games will set you back just a buck (or less, in some cases), and you don't even need to go to a store to buy them. Check out some of our wallet-friendly favorites.

Breath of Death VII .....Platform: Xbox Live Arcade
Already tipped by some commentators as the best role-playing game of the year, believe it or not, this satirical take on 16-bit RPGs like the older Legend of Zelda games boasts four to six hours of story, lots of fast-paced strategic battles, and plenty of in-jokes. And it can be yours for just a buck on Xbox Live's Indie Games section.


Angry Birds....Platforms: iPhone/iPad

These birds sure are angry -- but you can help them get revenge. Soaring up the charts with all the agiilty of its stars, Angry Birds combines a simple interface with a huge set of thirty-second physics puzzles that require lateral thinking, timing, precision, and other brain-surgery type skills. It's a hoot.

Beneath a Steel Sky........Platform: PC

Dave Gibbons, of Watchmen fame, was closely involved in the development of this dystopian adventure. Packed with puzzles, humor, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters, it's an outstanding example of its genre. Best of all? Not only is it under a buck, it's exactly $1.00 under a buck...which is to say, it's free, courtesy of the good folks at GOG.com.

Photo Dojo........Platform: DSi

Move fast, and you can snag this quirky DSi fighter for free from the DSi Ware store. Rather than pre-made characters, it lets you use the DSi's camera to snap pictures of your friends, then turns them into the game's stars. It's free -- but only until June 11.

Echoes.......Platform: PSP

At just 99 cents, Echoes is the cheapest of Sony's PSP Mini line. It's also one of its best. A simple maze puzzle game, the gem-collecting action is complicated by the way echoes of your past actions keep appearing -- and if you touch them, you'll lose. Destructoid called it "a good little game that demonstrates exactly what PSP Minis should have been doing from the outset."

Godfinger........Platform: iPhone/iPad

Fed up with pricey iPad games? Check out Godfinger, from the developer of iPhone hits We Rule and Rolando. Godfinger gives you your very own planet, letting you govern the shape of the world, the weather, and rule your followers. You can visit planets owned by your friends, too, leaving gifts or enchanting their followers. It's free, although (like some Facebook games) you can spend real money in the game if you choose.

Prince of Persia Retro..........Platform: iPhone/iPad

Want to see where the whole Prince of Persia story began? This port of the very first game in the series brings its platforming genius to your iPhone. Check out the character animations, too: groundbreaking in their time, the game's creator traced photographs of his brother running, jumping, and climbing to give the Prince his agile moves.