I guess the rumors are true. The classic beat ‘em up genre is making a comeback. This is becoming more and more apparent with the reveal of Scott Pilgrim vs The World. You may have never heard of this game, but you can still appreciate what it’s based on and what it’s attempting to do.

This game takes the awesomeness of titles like Double Dragon and River City Ransom and throws in more pop culture and video game references than you can throw gold coins at. Based on the comic book and the movie of the same name, this game looks like it will be one of those great comic cook and movie tie-ins. Copying the same charm and style, it looks as if it will follow every story detail down to the very last page.

Although not a very complex game, it is still a great game to pick up and play. It has a simple control style. 2 buttons is all you need to rock on and whoop ass with Scott and the band mates from Sex Bob-omb. Its 8bit greatness is what makes this game so lovable. All the sprites are taken from the comic book itself and made to come to life in ways few other 2D games ever express. Fans of the comic and upcoming film will have fun playing as Scott and his band mates as they join forces to battle Ramona’s 7 evil ex’s. The first evil ex was shown in the playable section, and by the looks of it, we are in for one hell of a treat. This game will be a total blast when it’s released this summer exclusively on PSN.

Few things really take me by surprise at the Electronic Entertainment Expo these days, but a big one was the playable demo for Metroid the Other M. The Team Ninja interpretation of the franchise translates simply into Ninja Gaiden Metroid. (Gasp!) That doesn’t mean the Samus Aran we know and love is gone; far from it. In this re-imagining of the classic side-scroller she is a true badass. The ability to wall jump and shoot your enemies at the same time is great and flows smoothly, allowing for some truly awe-inspiring, double-take inducing thrash moves that even your enemies will learn to fear.

It is a true 2 and a half D (2.5D) platformer with the occasional first person view. Let me explain: normal gameplay is all 2D. When you want to check something out for clues, that’s when you put the game into first person. This allows players to dynamically switch up gamplay interactions and keeps the action and discovery in a good check. The same is also true when you want to exploit a boss’ weak spot, or even fire your missiles.

Samus takes on a 4 eyed, 10 brained, sliming, purple, people eater.

Of course it was a timed demo so I decided to skip the cut scenes. A highly positive thing to come from playing was that Samus auto locks to the enemies in 2D mode. Yes, even the ones that are clinging to the roof. Metroid The Other M handles well and looks great. Easily one of the best looking Wii games we’ve seen so far. If Team Ninja keeps the same formula going, Other M looks like  It will be a welcome addition to the Metroid franchise. Look for Metroid the Other M to hopefully be available August of this year.

It looks like E3 has a new contender for late arrivals and frequent showings with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Once again shown to a crowd of expectant gawkers with nothing more than an awesome trailer, The Old Republic managed to do exactly what it did in 2009 – get everyone hyped. With the only brief announcement being that every player in the game would be able to fly their own ship. Okay. Now maybe ten more scraps of details like that and we’ll be comfortable enough to hazard a release decade. Nevertheless, the trailer was incredible. It isn’t quite clear why Chun Li was beating the crap out of Darth Vader, but who didn’t love it?

What is Halo Reach? No one should need to ask that now. At Microsoft’s 2010 E3 Keynote, they showed us a brief section of a singelplayer level from a Halo Reach video. Needless to say, it added in aspects from Halo Reach multiplayer beta and showed how they would be implemented in the regular campaign. Showing off four members of the elite Spartan Noble Team, this four minute Halo Reach video puts every Halo Reach screenshot we’ve seen previously into motion. Oh, and did you know there seems to be space combat? The September 14th Halo Reach release nears.

The 360 Project Natal got it’s official name today at the Microsoft Press Conference’s E3 Keynote. Now called Kinect, and it will hit shelves this holiday season on November 4th, and it’s still without a price point for some reason (I’m guessing they didn’t want a hefty price tag to distract people from the show). There will be 15 launch titles, and 6 of them were shown off at the conference:

Kinectimals: Picture Nintendogs on the Xbox 360, but with a LOT more control and activities to try.

Kinect Sports: The title says it all.

Kinect Joy Ride: A racing game.

Kinect Adventures: A game designed to get you moving. It takes your picture during all of the crazy moves you have to do.

Your Shape: A Ubisoft title that is basically a much more advanced Wii Fit.

Dance Central: A Harmonix title that teaches you how to dance. Think Rock Band except you are utilizing your entire body for points.

They didn’t actually say what the other titles were, put they did show an image of all of their box art. The ones that I can confirm are:

Motionsports, The Biggest Loser, Sonic Free Riders, and EA Active.

Not a single one of those games were very interesting to me, but at the end of the demonstration, they showed off actual gameplay using Kinect for an upcoming Star Wars game. It was told that this project was a collaboration between Microsoft and Lucas Arts and that it would release next year. I have to say that I am extremely excited on this one. It appears that you’ll be able to control your lightsaber with exact precision, with all the bells and whistles of things like physics to control how your weapon effects Storm Troopers and other enemies. This game (that wasn’t given a name) is at least one thing to look forward to.

*Image via E4g.info

Gears of War 3 on 360 proves that too much of good thing will probably just make you shout “HOLY CRAP!” There’s probably more new stuff in this five minute demonstration than you could pick apart from playing the whole previous two games. What we noticed, good and bad has to be shared with the world.

1. You can tag an enemy with a grenade after using them as a meat shield for a meatsplosion.
2. Everything seems to have a lambent version – including Beserkers.
3. Cliffy B uses God mode. He should have died.
4. The animations are a bit stale, but no one will notice when it hits the fan.

But don’t take my word for it, here it is for yourself.

The survival horror third person action game surprised many a person with its release in 08′. The frightening atmosphere and incredibly satisfying dismemberment feature, left many players wanting more. Returning to battle the Necromorphs once more should promise new weapons, new enemies, and plenty of new scares. You can prepare yourself, with this pre-E3 trailer here.

Marvel vs Capcom 3 (PS3, Xbox 360)

One of the most anticipated E3 2010 games, the hit arcade title is coming to the consoles once more, in a much grander and less pixel-like scale. With characters such as Dante from DMC3 and Deadpool, the roster is shaping up to be even more enjoyable than the previous games. Needless to say…it’s gonna take you for a ride (*cringe* Had to do it).

Bulletstorm (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Epic Games may already be feeding the fanboys with Gears of War 3, but their newest IP has a few heads turning.  The game is said to feature plenty of over-the-top kills and unrealistically giant weaponry. Skillshots are encouraged to allow for more currency to upgrade weapons, and because when you chain together a combo, they explode like the 4th of July into words and numbers. Seriously…they do.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Assassin’s Creed II set the stage for a new adaptation. Ezio will be assembling a team of assassins, and this means Assassin’s Creed multiplayer. Though not a direct Assassin’s Creed 3 to continue Desmond’s story, the game acts as a sort of expansion that continues Ezio’s story. Now you can run, jump, and fall into wagons of hay with your buddies. I call shotgun on Leonardo’s flying machine!

With the first game still shoveling out some incredible user-based content, a sequel was unavoidable. The sequel promises to open up the game from platforming, to allow user based content for racing, puzzle, and role-playing games. So now someone can create a Sackboy F-Zero racing game or Sackboy Tetris? Sweet!

Trine 2 (PC)

While many were hung up on the initial price tag, the first Trine was a physics platformer like no other. The hushed success of the game has prompted a sequel. With very little detail other than an announcement, this is a game I will be following closely.

Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)

Racing games are about to be set to a whole new level. Gran Turismo 5 is set to showcase some of the most realistic racing known to man, including damage that is both external and internal and the biggest roster of cars we have ever seen. Rev that engine!

Star Wars: Old Republic (PC)

Having been teased ever so slightly last year with an incredible trailer, the folks at Bioware are really pushing the envelope with this title. Said to be able to dethrone WoW, the MMO will make its appearance to showcase actual gameplay. Given the time they have been working on it, it looks to be shaping up very nicely.

Zombies, Zombies, Zombies. The first Dead Rising was entertaining enough to allow for some good old fun for being trapped in a mall. The sequel looks twice as brutal, allowing you to use such weapons as a boxing glove with knives taped to the fist. There is also an inclusion of multiplayer, allowing you and a buddy to thin the zombie masses together.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC)

Another year, another CoD. This time it’s Treyarch’s turn at the helm, and they will be taking the player through the Cold War as a direct sequel to their World at War title. Vehicles will be making a return, as well as the fast paced action we can expect multiplayer to feature.

Civilization 5 (PC)

Turn based strategy games, thy name is Civ 5. The success of the series is undeniable, and the fifth installment is promising an overhauled combat system, new engine, and new hexagonal tiles. Players will once again take their civilization from pre-historic times to the future.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii)

Tom Clancy is one busy man, and doesn’t plan on stopping. That’s not bad news for us with titles like Future Soldier. The teaser trailer showcases invisibility and active combat drones for our disposal. The future is so much more satisfying.

The first game was so powerful most computers could not even run the thing. Promising to tone it down slightly, the sequel still looks incredible. Taking place in a run down New York City, the ubran atmosphere will be lit to pieces with the weaponry at your disposal. This will be its first appearance on consoles.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising (PS3, Xbox 360)

Taking the spotlight off of Snake, the new Metal Gear will feature Raiden as the protagonist. Donning his cyber-persona, it has promised to feature fast paced-action suiting to the character. Whether it will feature another stage with naked cartwheels has yet to be determined…

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii)

While the first installment received average reviews, it did achieve pretty good success. The sequel is promising to alleviate any problems with the first as well as add variation in gameplay with puzzle solving and other features. With the addition of dual lightsabers, it’s a safe bet that you should watch it closely.

Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii)

Looking to give the typical superhero game an overhaul, Shattered Dimensions looks like the usual spiderman beat-em-up on crack. Switching between Nior, Classic, 2099, and an unrevealed dimension, Spider-man is shaping up to vary the gameplay with each new world. Let’s hope the fourth dimension is not a Tobey Maguire emo dance rhythm game…

Rock Band 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Not to be outdone by the other rhythm games filling the market, Rock Band is making a triumphant return. This time the game offers a “pro” mode, in which the colored notes are no more and you are forced to read notes. The game is shaping up to make you “learn” instruments. Not to mention there is a shiny new keyboard controller..

Brink (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Not to be confused with the Disney Channel series, this new shooter will combine fast paced shooting with parkour. The game lets you seamlessly move from one end of the map to the other with a push of the button, all while lighting up the enemies around you. I hope there is a lobby area where I can re-enact my favorite Matrix scene!

DJ Hero 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

While paling in comparison to sales, DJ Hero 2 looks to perfect the already established hardware. Now offering two turntables and a microphone (where it’s at?), the game looks to bring an overhaul in challenge. It will be interesting to see how this will do in comparison to the other titles well on their way.

Power Gig (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii?)

Looking to cater to the serious music enthusiasts, Power Gig will play similar to Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but will ship with a unique guitar game controller that acts as both a standalone six-stringed guitar and game controller with note-matching games. With a matching drum set to boot, this one looks to target those who play the rhythm game, yet want to be that much closer to the real thing.

Def Jam Rapstar (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Ever play a karaoke game and ask yourself, where is my Tupac song? Well ask no more! Def Jam Rapstar is looking to provide a karaoke game based entirely around rap. With the tracklist already set to include such songs as “Juicy” from Notorious BIG to “So Fresh, So Clean” from Outcast, it is starting to turn heads. Let’s hope we can rap battle the devil at the end…

With this many games headed our way, there are still plenty more that I have failed to mention. There is also the likelihood that we will see something unannounced pop up. Dragon Age 2? Arkham Asylum 2? Kingdom Hearts 3? The big show is only hours away, and more E3 2010 games lie around the corner…

Microsoft has been pretty good in past conferences, and will attempt to keep that rep for the coming show. With Xbox Live as strong as ever and plenty of exclusive titles to keep gamers coming back for more, Microsoft is hoping to sustain its interest and gain a lead in the console wars…even if their console still does that thing with the red rings…

This year will be all about Natal. Microsoft gave a demo of their motion control hardware at last year’s E3, holding gamers interest at the possibility of gaming without a controller. While the hardware seemed to work efficiently and looked engaging, the details and software provided will be key in selling this new addition. Not only will the price point play a key factor, but the games included will influence consumers to add this to their wish lists, or save themselves the embarrassment of flailing around like a maniac for a few mini-games that hold your interest for a few minutes.

Not to be outdone by the prime function of their console, Microsoft will be bringing the big titles to E3. Halo: Reach will be sure to lead the pack. With the beta already stirring 2.7 million Halo fans up, we can expect more details and footage to hold our appetites. Though far off in the distance of early 2011, Epic Games is already prepping Gears of War 3 to showcase. The conclusion to the trilogy is offering more mayhem, more co-op, and even more curbstomping goodness that we can feast our eyes on at E3. Good things do come in threes, as Fable 3 will be showcased for it’s Fall release as well, possibly detailing the involvement of Natal for a few elements of its gameplay.

Nintendo has a lot riding on this year’s press conference. Though New Super Mario Brothers and Mario Galaxy 2 are getting critical acclaim and the console has sold nicely in the past, loads of shovelware are continuing to pour out and sales for the Wii console are slipping. Nintendo needs something to convince gamers to pick up their Wii-motes for another year.

When it comes to hardware, Nintendo is pulling no punches. To further their domination of the handheld market (and possibly the world), the Nintendo 3DS will be showcased. Featuring “3-D gaming without the glasses”, this device will capture the whole 3D fetish we seem to have going on in the media lately and put it in the palm of your hand. Not to be outdone, the Wii Vitality Sensor should make another appearance. Being teased every so slightly at least year’s conference, we will finally be able to see what this thing can do in-game, whether it be to enhance the experience or cut off any circulation to your index finger.

As far as games are concerned, the most highly anticipated title will be the new Legend of Zelda. Nintendo has been very hush, hush with details surrounding the game, leaving much to speculation. If the predecessors are any indication, it’s safe to bet that we will dust off our shields to dive back into the dungeons once more. Lest we forget Metroid: Other M, the Team Ninja/Nintendo joint venture that was scheduled to release this month, only to be pushed back until Fall 2010. Expect actual gameplay footage with a demo of the control scheme. Conduit 2 will return, attempting to perfect the shooter from lessons learned in the first title. Even the DS titles are shaping up nicely, with Okamiden soon to bring Okami action gameplay to the handhelds. Epic Mickey fills out the list nicely, promising a platformer with an unusual style.

The “Year of the PS3″ could be this year indeed. PS3 sales have been climbing since juggernaut titles like Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 have taken the gaming world on a crazy thrill ride, influencing many to purchase the console and join in. With many other titles on the way and the competition heating up, Sony will have to keep the pressure on to combat Microsoft and Nintendo’s popular hardware.

Sony is pushing 3D gaming like no other. Recently announced at a press conference, 20 games are coming in stereoscopic 3D to the PS3 in the company’s next fiscal year. There will be a few adaptations of already released titles, along with a couple of specifically made 3D titles like Killzone 3. Purchasing the game may not be enough, as a Sony Bravia 3D television is going to set you back about a good $2,000-$5,000 bucks. The question that will be raised for gamers is how much they are willing to pay for this new feature. Times like this we must ask ourselves…what would James Cameron do?

The Playstation Move will make its return to E3, looking to give the Wii and Natal a run for their money. There are a good handful of developers lined up to create titles for the Move, and from the looks of stage demos a full length game is possible with the precision of the contr…er…wands. The technology is there and working quite well, but the incentive to purchase will take some convincing.

For Sony specific titles, sequels remain king. Killzone 3, Infamous 2, and even Resistance 3 are said to be making an appearance. The recent announcement of Yakuza 4 has plenty of people talking about the possibile adventures with Kazuma Kiryu to be had. Still, one of the most intriguing games remains to be The Last Guardian, Team ICO’s third game that looks to push the PS3 in visuals like no other title before.

With E3 just a few days away, the speculation and tireless rumors will come to a close as hardware is unveiled, titles are announced, and fanboy wishes are crushed. Until then, the onslaught of questions continue: Will 3D be the new way of gaming? Will a new console arise? Will Tony Hawk dare to come on stage again? E3 cannot come quick enough…