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E3 Recap

Written by Tyler Hakes. Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2010.

Last week was the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, otherwise known as E3. It is here that the biggest announcements in video games are made. While the entire expo was covered in noteworthy news, let’s take a look at the grand unveilings of the Big 3.

Nintendo: The 3DS

Nintenda 3DS (RED) Nintendo has always been known for trying something new or different in the video game hardware department. Whether it is touch screen handhelds or motion controlled consoles, the Big N is ready to take risks. This time they’re taking a leap into the 3D realm. Enter the Nintendo 3DS, a handheld gaming device with touch capabilities and two screens, including one that projects gaming in 3D…without the glasses. Yeah, you read that right, you get to enjoy 3D gaming without goofy and expensive glasses. Not everything has been revealed about the next generation in handheld gaming, but it looks to be fully compatible with previous DS games, adds an analog stick to the existing DS controller setup, and allows you to take 3D pictures by using the two cameras that is comes equipped with.

There is no release date as of yet, but prepare to be blown away with games like Star Fox, Kingdom Hearts, and Super Street Fighter 4.

Sony: The PlayStation Move

The Playstation Move Sony has built a reputation of being for hardcore gamers and it’s easy to see why, with their high-powered hardware and upper echelon games. In a plan to delve further into hardcore gaming, as well as introduce the console to more casual gamers, Sony has introduced the Move. As a comparison, although not to limit what it is capable of, the Move is like the Nintendo Wii remote and nunchuck set up and will include a primary wand controller and a secondary navigation controller. The Move is set to provide superior motion control detection in all three dimensions. Sony is preparing games to include optional control schemes for both the Move and standard controllers. Don’t think that this will be just the Wii HD, Move will definitely the high caliber games that Sony fans have come accustomed to.

The PlayStation Move will be available in North America on September 19th. The Move controller will be $49.99 with the navigation controller coming in at $29.99, or you can purchase the two, along with the PlayStation Eye camera, for $99.99.

Microsoft: Kinect and Xbox 360 Slim

Microsoft Kinect Microsoft and the Xbox 360 team are also jumping into the motion control department, but with a twist of their own: no controllers.

What was previously known as Project Natal, the Kinect is the result of a high powered motion sensing camera that can decipher movement from all limbs for multiple users. Not impressed yet? Kinect also provides voice recognition that can be used for barking out commands to your Xbox 360. Seriously, you tell your Xbox 360 to play or stop a movie and it will have no choice but to submit to your demands. To top it off, the camera and microphone on Microsoft 360 Slim the unit combines forces to provide video chat. In case this wasn’t enough, Microsoft also revealed a newly designed Xbox 360. The new model is smaller, quieter and cooler than the launch design and is encased in glossy black armor. A 250GB hard drive and built in Wi-Fi is nothing to kick out of bed either.