E3, the leading annual event in videogames, has wrapped up for another year. This glitziest of game expos usually means three long days of big, snazzy announcements for gamers, but has this year lived up to expectations? I’d say yes. And, because I’m a self-indulgent ass who thinks far too highly of his own opinion, I decided to choose the ten best games or game-related stuff to come out of the show. Starting with …

Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo does it again. Just as hints of Nintendo DS fatigue among consumers seems to be creeping in, BAM, Ninty reinvents the handheld games console again. The 3DS does on-the-fly 3D visuals without the need for glasses, and according to those who saw it, it does this staggeringly well. 3D probably won’t be supported by other handheld devices for a few more years at least. I smell another era of Nintendo handheld dominance.

Child of Eden
Sega’s sublime music-based shooter Rez earned a cult following when it appeared in 2001, and deservedly so (it’s available through Xbox Live Arcade for a few bucks – so BUY IT!). Almost ten years on, and at last we get a sequel, compatible with Xbox 360′s Kinect and PlayStation Move (but also, mercifully, with a standard controller). Child of Eden isn’t explicitly referred to as a Rez sequel, but fans of the original will recognise certain Rez beats and bosses from this eye-meltingly lovely trailer (hint: turn the volume up):

Civilisation V
The mother of all timesinks just got a follow-up. I could rave about why Civ V will be awesome until the cows entire damn farm comes home, but I’ll leave that to the esteemed Mr. Hodson.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution
While the first sequel bombed critically and commercially, Human Revolution increasingly looks like the Deus Ex game that can live up the majesty of the original, with a combination of combat, hacking, and stealth. Though this game has been known about since 2007, Eidos and Square Enix unveiled the Blade Runner-esque trailer below at E3 to really get tongues wagging:

Xbox 360 S
Quieter, smaller, a bigger hard drive, extra USB ports, a sensible price point: there wasn’t much to dislike (or find surprising) about Microsoft’s updated Xbox 360. Take a look at more pictures of this sleek little number here.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
A real dark horse, this. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is an adventure game for the DS in which our hero, Sissel, wakes up to discover he’s dead, with his memories of who he was or what killed him gone. Now a ghost, Sissel can possess inanimate objects (a “Ghost Trick”) to unravel the clues behind his death, and save others from a similar grisly fate. It’s from the maker of the brilliant Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney series, so comes with real pedigree, not to mention the most sumptuous 2D animation. Hits the U.S. this winter.

Portal 2
It’s been a long time. You monster. Oh, GLaDOS.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
I’ll just say this again, shall I: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, remade with 3D visuals for Nintendo’s next handheld. Holy. Balls. Coming NOT DAMN WELL SOON ENOUGH.

Sony’s backing of 3D
Say what you like about Sony, but the company isn’t one too blithely ignore future tech. Hence, most of the PS3′s biggest forthcoming titles (including Killzone 3, Gran Turismo 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Twisted Metal and MotorStorm: Apocalypse) will come with full stereoscopic 3D visuals, should users want them. Microsoft has dismissed 3D as “too pricey” for consumers. I sense an egg-on-face situation coming soon, and ironically not for the company that brought us Betamax and MiniDisc.

Nintendogs + Cats
There was a raft of new games promised for the Nintendo 3DS, and while I can’t wait for the new Pilotwings and Mario Kart 3DS, Nintendogs + Cats really captured my heart. It’s essentially the same idea as Nintendogs, only with cats, beautiful fur effects, and some truly awesome ways of utilising the 3DS hardware. An example: after you’ve played for a while, the cameras in the 3DS will mean your pet recognizes your face, so tilting your head will cause your dog to tilt its head in response, while bringing your face close to the screen will encourage your dog to lick your face! Meanwhile, new players may scare your pet away. Too cute.

The best 10 games (and game-related things) at E3 2010 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Know how the PlayStation Move controller looks exactly like the Nintendo Wii Remote wearing a clown’s nose? Well, just like the Wiimote, Sony’s motion-sensing wand will have a ton of daft clip-on plastic devices designed for it. The first: this ray gun shell, shamefully from Sony itself.

By sliding the Move controller (launch date September 19th) into this, and you have the ideal peripheral for playing first-person shooter games/looking a shameless tool.

See also: A bunch of other gaming junk you don’t need

[Via Engadget]

It begins: PlayStation Move controller gets first redundant add-on is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Nintendo 3DS, as this will attest, is pretty bloody lovely. But if you’re not sold on Nintendo’s fully 3D handheld, how about the chance to play a 3D remake of the greatest game ever made?

I know declaring anything the Greatest X Ever is dodgy territory. However, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which originally came out on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, is the game that appears most often at the top whenever greatest game lists or polls materialize. I personally think there are at least two better titles in the Zelda franchise alone, but … look, it’s a great game, regardless.

And now, it’ll be a great game in full 3D.

This revamped Ocarina of Time was on display at E3, at a behind-closed-doors Nintendo roundtable featuring company legend Shigeru Miyamoto. A short gameplay video was looping on a row of 3DS demo pods, showing hero Link riding his horse, Epona, through fields and around a castle.

After further questioning, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma confessed to Joystiq that Ocarina of Time in 3D is for real. So there we go: the best game ever (allegedly) just got an extra dimension. Rawk.

[Via Joystiq]

Zelda: Ocarina of Time getting Nintendo 3DS remake is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony has confirmed that from next month PlayStation 3 owners will have access to a premium paid-for version of the PlayStation Network. Known simply as PlayStation Plus, this will be an enhanced version of the free-to-use PlayStation Network, with extra goodies. Basically, it’s Sony’s answer to Xbox Live Gold.

Priced at $49 a year, or $18 per three months, the benefits of PlayStation Plus include:

- Exclusive in-game DLC and other content
- Free full games, changing each month
- Auto-patching feature, which will detect, download and install updates
- Early access to demos and betas

Note that those who don’t buy PlayStation Plus will still be able to play all games online for free. Sony deserves a hearty pat on the back for that, not least because Xbox 360 gamers require a Gold membership ($40 per year, thanks) to play online.

Those PlayStation Plus subscribers who sign up during July will receive Wipeout HD, a demo for inFamous, Fieldrunners, Age of Zombies, Rallycross, as well as assorted avatars and themes. Apparently, these freebies will vary from month to month.

[Via Joystiq]

Premium version of PlayStation Network announced, will cost $49 per year is a post from: The Inquisitr

Valve and PlayStation 3: it’s not been the easiest of relationships.

However, three short years after calling the PS3 a “total disaster on so many levels,” Valve boss Gabe Newell appeared on stage at Sony’s E3 press conference to make a rather big announcement: Portal 2 would be coming to a total disaster! I mean PlayStation 3! Portal 2 is coming to PlayStation 3! Woooo! Here’s Newell himself, eating humble pie:

“I’ve been pretty outspoken in my comments about next gen consoles, so I’d like to thank Sony for their gracious hospitality and not repeatedly punching me in the face.”

Newell added that not only would Portal 2 be heading to PS3 in 2011 (at the same time as the Xbox 360 and PC versions), but that PS3 Portal 2 would have certain features taken from Valve’s Steam download service, such as cloud saving.

Question: could we soon see the entire Steam service made available on PS3? You never know! One thing’s for sure: Microsoft’s insistence on keeping such tight control over all Xbox 360 downloadable content may have backfired, particularly when a company like Sony offers greater flexibility to third-party download platforms (such as – oh hey! – Steam).

Anyway, enough of that. Here’s a super-hot, just-off-the-presses trailer for Portal 2. As you’d expect, it looks like the cat’s pajamas and kipper’s knickers rolled into one:

[VIDEO] Portal 2 getting Steamy with PlayStation 3 is a post from: The Inquisitr

This beast is due to appear in the U.S. next week and in Europe/Oz next month (full details below). And it’s – GET THIS – actually quiet (reportedly). As the current Xbox 360 is louder than a million vuvuzelas directly into the ear ‘ole, that’s blessed news.

Australia: Released July 1st, AU$449.00
New Zealand: July 8th, NZ$499.00
Europe: July 16th, £199/EUR249
North America: June 18th, US$299.99

A closer look at that new Xbox 360 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony just revealed a release date and price for PlayStation Move, the motion-sensing PS3 wand controller that is in no way a copy of Nintendo’s established Wii Remote no really it honestly isn’t, etc.

You’ll be able to buy PlayStation Move with a console, or with a game, or with a camera, or on its own, or with a game and camera, or hell, with your next KFC Double Down for all I know/care. And here’s what it’ll cost you, as gleaned from Eurogamer’s live feed of the Sony conference:

PS3 console + Move + camera + Sports Champions: $399.99.
Move + Sports Champions + camera: $99.99.
Standalone Move controller: $49.99.
Nunchuk, sorry, “Navigation Controller”: $29.99.

Sports Champions is a collection of sporty minigames that is in no way a copy of Nintendo’s established Wii Sports title no really it honestly isn’t, etc. If you are intent on purchasing Move, it’ll be launching on September 19th in North America, September 15th in Europe, and on October 21st in Japan.

[Via Eurogamer]

Launch date and pricing revealed for PlayStation Move is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony has announced just! This! Minute! that Killzone 3 will be released for PlayStation 3 in February 2011. Mark it down, peeps!

Sony’s gigantic press conference at the E3 expo in Los Angeles is currently ongoing, and Killzone 3 has just been shown off there in fancypants 3D. A rep from developer Guerilla Games’ demoed the game, which you can see a bit more of in the trailer below (including a look at the new jetpacks and a nasty knife-in-eye moment). Looks chilly. Brrr.

Guerilla also confirmed Killzone 3 would support PlayStation Move. Whether Move is essential or not we don’t yet know, though I’ll go out on a limb here and predict it’ll be an optional extra.

Trailer!

Killzone 3 releasing in February 2011, supporting PlayStation Move is a post from: The Inquisitr

Few people are as enthusiastic as me when it comes to Nintendo’s classic Zelda franchise. This largely excellent action-adventure-RPG series has held a place in my heart for over 20 years. So what does it say that even I found the first ever trailer for the next Zelda underwhelming?

A new Zelda trailer should fill me from head to toe with happy. And in many ways, I’m sure The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will do just that. It’s a Nintendo title, so will plainly boast terrific production values, probably some ingenius level design, and an epic soundtrack. And yes, that’s all here, in this trailer. But this looks tired.

I mean, deflecting a seed missile back towards an enemy with my shield? Locking onto enemies before pulling off Link’s famed spin attack? That scorpion-like boss? First-person archery? I’ve seen all of these things in Zelda games that are more than a decade old. Even the visuals are deeply traditional. There’s little new on display, save for a potentially interesting section where you control a flying beetle.

I was, frankly, expecting more – perhaps a surreal Majora’s Mask style detour from the usual Zelda formula – but I guess we’ll learn a lot more before this comes out next year. See what you think of the trailer below, fellow Zelda nuts, and tell me if I’m being harsh.

[VIDEO] New Zelda game plays it safe in debut trailer is a post from: The Inquisitr

When Nintendo, the undisputed king of handheld gaming, reveals a brand new portable console, the world sits up and listens. At today’s E3 expo in Los Angeles, the company revealed the Nintendo 3DS to an expectant world, unveiling a sleek (it weighs only eight ounces) new machine with cameras, gyroscopes, and fancy 3D visuals.

As you can see from the images (above and below this text), the 3DS wil stick to the two screen formula used so far by the Nintendo DS family, but for the first time will combine different sized screens.

The top screen is where the 3D magic takes place. According to the tech sheet that Nintendo sent us, this widescreen LCD panel is 3.53 inches corner to corner and runs in 800×240 resolution, with “400 pixels allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing.” The lower screen will be far more familiar to current Nintendo DS owners, producing a 320×240 resolution, and measuring just over 3 inches across.

There’ll be three cameras on the 3DS – one inside the console and two on the outside – and these each boast a 0.3 megapixel (so 640 x 480) resolution. Elsewhere, the handheld 802.11 Wi-Fi, and supports WPA/WPA2 security.

In terms of controls, there’s plenty here that featured in previous DS models. The lower screen is still a touchscreen, there’s an embedded microphone, the same old four face buttons, a D-pad, two shoulder buttons, and Start and Select buttons.

But what is new is the “slide pad”, an analogue nubbin for 360-degree input that already looks far chunkier and more comfortable than the Sony PSP’s undersized nub. There’s also an in-built motion sensor and gyro sensor, and a “3D depth slider,” which allows you to adjust the 3D effect.

The console’s various ports include a 3DS game card slot (worry not, it can take your old DS games), an AC adapter connection, an SD card slot, and a stereo jack for your headphones. A lithium ion battery completes this most desirable of new toys.

There’s no price or release date for the 3DS yet, but Nintendo has already stated it will arrive before March 2011 – my money is on a release in time for Christmas.

DO WANT: Nintendo reveals Nintendo 3DS – pictures inside! is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Xbox 360 presentation at E3 is over and our living rooms will never be the same. I’m still trying to absorb everything that was announced today but it is clear that with the arrival of the new slimmer Xbox 360 and the launch of Kinect on November 4 – just in time for the Christmas buying season – Microsoft has made it clear that it is your home entertainment future.

As expected the games – especially the big name titles like Gears of War 3, Fable III, Halo: Reach, and from Crysis a new game called Kingdoms – were the backbone of the presentation by Microsoft executives. However there were a couple of other announcements – both expected and unexpected – that show just how Microsoft is trying to position the Xbox 360 as your entertainment hub.

Of course the expected news was the announcement and demonstrations of Kinect – once known as Project Natal – that everyone was really waiting for and for once the press didn’t even come close to the reality. From supposedly children’s games like Kinectimals (which I think will be just as big a hit with adults even if they won’t admit it) to the still be delivered Star Wars game (2011) Kinect has all the bases covered.

As far as I am concerned, and I say this as someone who doesn’t own an Xbox (although that could very well change now), Microsoft has just raised the bar when it comes to both serious and casual gaming. On top of that the whole social aspect of Kinect makes it perfect for the living room whether it be gaming with your friends to using Video Connect to keep in touch with your social circle.

But the sleeping giant in today’s presentation and one that should have cable companies really worried is the just announced integration of ESPN live sports access. Not only the access but that those with Xbox Live Gold membership get the content for free.

As my good friend Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins says – this is a major deal

This is a major deal – the ability to watch live streaming sports anywhere but on a cable connection is almost impossible to find (at least, legitimately). It’s one of the first steps by Microsoft to truly supplant the need for a wired connection to a video content provider. So far in the conference, no announcement has been made regarding a partnership with Hulu, and since it’s coming towards the end of the conference, such an announcement seems unlikely.

Tie that is with a Netflix and Hulu account and who the hell needs cable television anymore.

As important as a new design for the Xbox is, or things like Kinect might be it is this deal with ESPN that could truly be the turning point for Microsoft as it looks to solidify its place as your only entertainment hub you will need.

Microsoft stakes its claim on the living room with Xbox and Kinect is a post from: The Inquisitr

Project Natal is a rubbish name for a motion-sensing controller, but then nobody seriously expected Microsoft to stick with that for its latest Xbox 360 gizmo.

According to NowGamer, “sources close to Microsoft” have revealed that the final name for Natal will simply be ‘Wave’, and that Microsoft will confirm this detail at next week’s E3 expo in Los Angeles.

Obviously, Microsoft is refusing to comment on the rumors and speculation, though ‘Wave’ is certainly a plausible name. It’s a safe choice, but also simple, memorable, and pretty descriptive of what the Natal experience will involve (though this video suggests ‘Flail’ might be more appropriate).

It’s also similar to Sony’s rival motion-sensing controller, PlayStation Move. Now all each company has to do is make sure people give a damn.

See also: The future of videogaming makes me want to cry

[Via NOWGamer]

[RUMOR] Give us a Wave: Microsoft Natal gets new name is a post from: The Inquisitr

Microsoft has announced Project Natal, a Wii like sensing tool on steroids.

Project Natal combines a RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software to track full body movement while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in the voice.

Other impressive features: Project Natal is not light-dependent, and can recognize a user by looking at their face. The voice recognition tools are claimed to “understand” what a user is saying, allowing users to call up games and more.

Naturally Project Natal is being talked about as a Wii killer, particularly by those who have never really embraced the Wii. But it’s not a Wii killer, and there’s a key reason why: games. Wii succeeds due to its emphasis on casual gaming; while Project Natal might open the door for more casual gaming on the XBox 360, there’s a long way to go. However in fine fashion something should be killed, and in this case it’s the Playstation. Why buy an overly expensive Playstation 3 when you can buy an XBox 360 which also offers a somewhat Wii like experience?

Here’s the Project Natal demo video:

Project Natal: Microsoft’s Playstation Killer is a post from: The Inquisitr

G4 and Justin.tv have partnered up to bring you E3 Live Streaming video of the press conferences taking place at the Electronic Entertainment Expo starting this week.

The E3 live streams will feature Steve Wiebe’s history-making world-record Donkey Kong attempts as well as other info. From G4:

In addition, G4tv.com and Justin.tv will live-stream “TheFeed Nightcap: E3 Edition.” Following the broadcast coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday, Billy Berghammer, G4tv.com’s Director of Games Editorial, and special guests will discuss the biggest news, surprises and disappointments of the Expo. It’s an insider’s-inside look at the game world that you do not want to miss.

G4 Inside E3 Live Streaming Schedule

June 1st

10:30am – 11:30am: Microsoft Press Conference
2:00pm – 3:30pm: EA Press Conference
5:00pm – 6:15pm: Ubisoft Press Conference

June 2nd

9:00am – 10am: Nintendo Press Conference
9:00am – 10:30am: Donkey Kong Record Attempt #1
10:30am – 12:30pm: Donkey Kong Record Attempt #2
11:00am – 12:30pm: Sony Press Conference
3:00pm – 6:00pm: Donkey Kong Record Attempt #3.

TheFeed Nightcap: E3 Edition:

Tuesday June 2nd 9:00PM ET:
Billy Berghammer – Director, Games Editorial G4tv.com
Brad Shoemaker – Editor, Giant Bomb
Adam Sessler – Editor in Chief, G4
Victor Lucas – Electric Playground

Wednesday
9:00pm ET:
Billy Berghammer
Chris Kohler: Wired/Game|Life
Thomas Puha: EIC Pelajjja Magazine Finland
N’Gai Croal – Chief Consultant, Hit Detection

G4 and Justin.tv Partner to bring you Inside E3 Live Streams [Schedule] is a post from: The Inquisitr

2K Games

• Bioshock 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
• Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360)
• Mafia II (PC, PS3, X360)

2K Sports

• The Bigs 2 (X360)

Activision

• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)

Capcom

• Bionic Commando (PC)
• Dark Void (PC, PS3, X360)
• Dead Rising 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
• Fate/Unlimited Codes (PSP)
• Lost Planet 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (PS3, X360)
• Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace (DS)
• Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker (DS)
• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP)
• Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii)
• Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)
• Spyborgs (Wii)
• Street Fighter IV (PC)

Disney Interactive Studios

• Hannah Montana: Rock Out the Show (PSP)
• Spectrobes: Origins (Wii)
• Split/Second (PS3, X360)
• Toy Story Mania (Wii)
• Wizards of Waverly Place (DS)

Electronic Arts

• Army of Two: The 40th Day (PS3, PSP, X360)
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
• Brütal Legend (PS3, X360)
• Grand Slam Tennis (Wii)
• Madden NFL 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
• Mass Effect 2 (PC, X360)
• NCAA Football 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)
• Need for Speed Nitro (Wii)
• Need for Speed Shift (PC, PS3, X360)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PS3, PSP, Wii, X360)

Ignition Entertainment

• Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
• Nostalgia (DS)
• The King of Fighters XII (PS3, X360)

KOEI

• Monster Racers (DS)
• Warriors Orochi 2 (PSP)

Konami

• Kojima Productions Project [untitled] (tba)

Majesco

• A Boy and His Blob (Wii)
• Our House: Party (Wii)

Namco Bandai

• Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)

Paradox Interactive

• East India Company (PC) NEW
• Hearts of Iron III (PC) NEW
• Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim (PC)
• Mount & Blade: Warband (PC) NEW

Perfect World Entertainment

• Ether Saga Online (PC)
• Perfect World (PC)

SEGA

• Alpha Protocol (PC, PS3, X360)
• Bayonetta (PS3, X360)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS, Wii)
• Planet 51 (DS, PS3, Wii, X360)
• The Conduit (Wii)
• Vancouver 2010: The Official Videogame of the Winter Olympic Games (PC, PS3, X360)

Sony Computer Entertainment

• Fat Princess (PS3)
• God of War III (PS3)
• Heavy Rain (PS3)
• Infamous (PS3)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PS2, PSP)
• MAG (PS3)
• MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PS2, PSP)
• Pain! Sore Spots (PS3)
• PixelJunk 1-4 (PS3)
• PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe (PSP)
• Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3)
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP)
• Singstar: Queen (PS2, PS3)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
• White Knight Chronicles (PS3)

Sony Online Entertainment

• DC Universe Online (PC, PS3)
• Free Realms (PC)
• Kung Fu Hustle (PC)
• Legends of Norrath (PC)
• PoxNora (PC)
• The Agency (PC, PS3)

THQ

• Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3, X360)
• Red Faction: Guerrilla (PC, PS3, X360)
• UFC 2009 Undisputed (PS3, X360)

Trion World Network

• Heroes of Telara (PC)

I think you can safely add Gran Turismo 5, Assasins Creed 2 and Tony Hawk to list as well, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet. Nintendo hasn’t released any details yet either.

Which games do you look forward to? My personal favorites are: Bioshock 2, Assasins Creed 2, Resident Evil for Wii and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for Wii.

(I’m still waiting for that E3 invitation by the way)

The big E3 games list is a post from: The Inquisitr