Independently produced games are getting noticed

— -- Big video games command the market share of the $21 billion video game industry, but independently produced games are getting noticed. USA TODAY introduces some notable and upcoming ones.

Microsoft Xbox 360

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai

Ska Studios, skasoftware.com; out later this year, no price set

Former dishwasher James Silva created this violent take on the Donkey Kong genre when he learned that Bruce Lee was once a dishwasher who got no respect. "I thought, 'Hey, I could turn that into a video game.' " It hits Xbox Live later this year as part of Microsoft's community games project. (Typically $8-$10)

Braid

Number None Games, braid-game.com; out later this year, no price set

A two-dimensional side-scrolling game in a colorful, ornate world from acclaimed developer Jonathan Blow. He has described it as "in the mold of Super Mario Bros., but that is more about problem-solving and less about making tricky jumps. You do strange things to control the flow of time, and that helps you solve the puzzles."

Castle Crashers

The Behemoth, thebehemoth.com; out later this year, no price set

A wacky hand-drawn skirmisher from the San Diego-based makers of Alien Hominid (already on Xbox Live). A quartet of knights tries to defeat a common enemy. Your job, says project manager Emil Ayoubkhan: "Save your princess, defend your kingdom, and crash some castles."

Pop

Nnooo Games, nnooo.com; out now, $7

One of the first six downloadable entries on the WiiWare service started in May, this simple, psychedelic game uses the Wii's motion-sensitive remote to pop bubbles for points. Says Nic Watt, of the Australia-based developer: "The great thing about online distribution is that a small company like us can make a game and potentially reach all of the Wii's audience."

Nintendo Wii

LostWinds

Frontier Developments, frontier.co.uk/games/lostwinds; out now, $10

You wield the power of the wind with the Wii remote in this tale of good and evil magic. The small U.K. developer also has created games such as Thrillville for publisher LucasArts. "Download channels like WiiWare, PlayStation Network or Xbox Live Arcade are an interesting opportunity to try out new ideas," says Frontier's David Braben.