Top Ten E3 2011 Games

So E3 2011 is gone and now but a memory. There was a cavalcade of content from new games to booth babes. We'll be focusing on the former with this top ten. The following games were shown in some form at E3 2011. These are the ones that I'm most excited about.

10) Sonic Generations (PS3, 360, 3DS)


Classic and modern meld into one as you play as 16-bit Sonic and the current Sonic model. SEGA has confirmed that besides the Green Hill Zone, the zones of the 3DS version will be completely different than those of the HD pair. This seems like quite the title to double-dip to if Sonic Colors is any indication.

9) Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)


After having the spotlight stolen from him to the Raving Rabbids, the limbless character of Rayman returns in a brand-new game with gorgeous graphics. This 2D side-scroller is akin to something New Super Mario Bros. Wii where four players could participate and play together. Add all that to Michel Ancel, the creator of Rayman, having a hand in this title, and you, too, might be blown away.

8) Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 360)


While the bat's away, the villains will play. And that's exactly what they've been doing as Batman has been on break. Not anymore in Batman: Arkham City where heroes and villains such as the Clockmaster, Catwoman (who is a playable character with an entire set of new moves to dish out on opponents), and Two-Face, to name a few. Get ready to be the bat sometime this October.

7) Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita)


An all-new take on the Uncharted franchise is Golden Abyss, a sure-fire launch title for Sony's new Vita portable developed by Sony Bend. Use the front touch screen to point hero and grave robber Nathan Drake across ledges and bridges. Two thumb sticks makes playing a breeze. Look forward to this miniature blockbuster whenever the Vita launches.

6) Sly 4: Thieves in Time (PS3)


There was a tease for this game after players platinum'd all of the trilogy in The Sly Collection. While Sucker Punch just finished inFAMOUS 2, the studio behind The Sly Collection is developing the fourth adventure featuring Sly. Hopefully this one plays less like the third installment and more like one and two. All that was shown was a teaser trailer, but that was enough to get me excited with Sly's newest caper.

5) Resistance 3 (PS3)


The Chimera have all but taken over Earth, but the surviving humans aren't letting go without a fight. This is exactly what they're doing in Resistance 3. R3 brings Move controls with it to get pinpoint aiming and faster movement. There's even a $149.99 bundle including the game, Sharpshooter peripheral, PS Eye, and one Move controller. Not a bad deal at all.

4) Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)


Sony showed a playable demo during their press conference, and it made many a-jaw drop. The demo was set in a flooding cargo ship of some kind. The ship takes in more water as a locker falls on Drake. With a quick tap of the triangle button while he's underwater, Drake pushes the locker off of him as he swims to the surface to get some air. The gunplay is what you'd expect from the caliber of the series. This, here, is Sony's key franchise from E3.

3) Mario Kart 3DS (3DS)


Mario Kart is back and in handheld form. New tricks include going back to eight drivers per race, off-road capabilities, hang-gliding segments, and underwater portions of track. The game is lovely-looking with one track you're driving through falling cherry blossom leaves. There's also 60 FPS even in 3D mode. Add in online play, and you already have a winner in my book.

2) Super Mario (3DS)


Shooing away the planets and planetoids of Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario for the 3DS features flat 2D and 3D portions of the game. Familiar enemies abound such as Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Piranha Plants to tackle. There's even a flagpole at the end of each level just like the original Super Mario Bros. Don't forget the Tanooki Suit, too!

1) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)


This is my game of the show, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Nintendo Wii. Most definitely because we saw so much. We saw Zelda for the first time, riding some kind of bird creature with Link until fate enters. Everything to this game is 1:1 swordplay from combat to puzzles and an overworld feeling like its own dungeon with its own challenges that test your brain. Not only that, but the visuals are so colorful and the animation so crisp. Without a doubt, Skyward Sword is one of the best titles from E3 2011.

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Just like E3 2011, my list has flown on by. What games at E3 took you by surprise or made you get hyped like no one's ever been hyped? Let me know in the comments section.