Gaming on a Budget - Top 5 Next-Gen Budget Games

In today's modern videogames market, many gamers operate on a budget. Being able to afford three brand new releases in a month – often with an RRP above the £45 mark – is simply a dream to some, and improbable to others, and quite clearly this is where the industry's "pre-owned" market has sprung from. But also, the publishers themselves have taken note, with each of the major format holders promoting their own range of budget titles; Nintendo's Player's Choice range, Microsoft's CLASSICS titles and SONY's PLATINUM series. Nintendo is yet to launch an official range in the Current-Generation, but has released many titles with a comparable price-tag; a strategy that has seen much success in the Casual market sector. But which titles truly offer value-for-money?

While the Hardcore gamers will pick up most of these releases at launch, Mainstream and Casual gamers are less likely to fork-out immediately for a title with which they have little information on. While many may find themselves lavishing-out on a brand new copy of Grand Theft Auto IV at launch, how many would spend an equal amount on Heavenly Sword? Or Mass Effect?

The titles below are...