Xbox has recently come up with an interesting offering. You can now download old games that play on the Xbox 360. This has been made possible through a software update. Games available for download now include Burnout 3, Halo, Fable and Crimson. These games have been some of the most popular among Xbox 360 games. Is this going to be a big successful move for Microsoft? Yes and No.

In simple words these games are not old enough to bring out nostalgia. The older the game is, the more the nostalgia. I would rather download Super Mario Bros than Halo. This is the edge Nintendo has over Microsoft. Classic titles are unplayable on the newer consoles. You may find them on eBay, but if your old console is not working, you can’t play them.

Microsoft has made a smart move by allowing downloadable games. I think it will be more successful in the short term rather than the long term though.

Nintendo, on the other hand has made available it’s classic games to owners of newer consoles. The nostalgia of Super Mario Bros, for example is unmatched and many people would choose to download it. It’s akin to visiting your honeymoon spot for a second honeymoon.

The difference between Nintendo’s offerings and those of Microsoft - Nintendo is offering old games that evoke nostalgia, while Microsofts game’s are relatively new. My advice is simple, let Microsoft offer these games 5 years hence. It would see their offerings being lapped up by the consumer.