The new generation consoles are doing it with online stores and marketplaces, and the likes of Valve Software's Steam have offered digital downloads of complete games for years. Now Midway has launched MidwayArcade.com, which offers direct downloads of many a Midway classic, like Defender, Joust, and Spy Hunter, all on the cheap. Three game theme packs start as low as $5 for direct download and installation on one's PC.

A new Midway digital storefront, meanwhile (launched from midway.com), offers direct purchase of current Midway titles, including Unreal Tournament 3, Stranglehold and Psi Ops. Digital storefront titles range from $9.99 to $29.95 but offer no savings over their retail counterparts save for the fact that you can buy them in your underwear.

Midwayarcade.com and the storefront at midway.com were built by Digital River, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRIV), a prevalent provider of global e-commerce solutions.

As always, a handful of flash-based retro Midway games are freely available at the Midway Web Arcade (also launched from midway.com).