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Introduction
The E3 Media and Business Summit was held this week in Los Angeles. In case you’re not familiar with E3, it’s an annual trade show that many video game companies use to showcase their new and upcoming titles. As usual, a staggering number of games were exhibited. These are just a few of many that we can’t wait to get our hands on.
Check out the list then tell us which E3 games you’re excited to play.
Tell us: Which E3 games are you most excited to play?M
— Ken Smith
![](\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_swf/tonytesting/gamewidget/Grab_top5_widget_button.gif\")
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“Gears of War 2”
“Gears of War 2” is a third-person shooter for the “Halo” crowd. The game, due to be released in November, once again pits Marcus Fenix and his band of super soldiers against the Locust Horde, brutal creatures bent on destroying mankind. With its chainsaw duels and an improved cover system that allows gamers to use dead enemies as shields, “Gears of War 2” looks to deliver even more blood-splattering action than the original.";
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“LittleBigPlanet”
Sony’s ambitious “LittleBigPlanet” is a customizer’s dream. At first the game looks like a traditional platformer, with places to explore and puzzles to solve. But quickly the game morphs into a game maker, as you learn how to modify your 3D environment, design and shape objects, and create new levels. You’ll even be able to let other gamers view and play your creations, and you’ll be able to explore theirs.
“LittleBigPlanet” is expected to be available this October.
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“Animal Crossing: City Folk”
“Animal Crossing: City Folk” is a community simulation game that will have you decorating your house, mailing letters to friends, and getting to know your quirky neighbors — who all happen to be animals. You can also take a bus to a nearby city to go shopping or catch a show at the theater. Because “City Folk” moves in real time, your in-game experience will depend on what time of day you’re playing. For instance, those shops may not be open if you’re playing during the night.
“Animal Crossing: City Folk,” expected to be released this holiday season, will also utilize the new WiiSpeak microphone (sold separately), allowing players to chat with each other while playing online.
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“Rock Band 2”
Games that let players “strum” along to the music using guitar-shaped controllers were already popular when “Rock Band” hit the market last year, but “Rock Band” expanded the concept by adding drums and a microphone, and letting gamers play cooperatively in groups. “Rock Band 2” (scheduled to be released in September) plans to further the franchise by featuring a battle of the bands mode, letting groups compete against each other.
But a music game is nothing without its soundtrack, and “Rock Band 2” shouldn’t disappoint. It will feature more than 80 songs on the disc, plus more available via download, from artists as diverse as Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette and even Bob Dylan. Best of all, the game will debut the Guns N’ Roses single “Shackler's Revenge,” the first new music from the band in over a decade.
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“de Blob”
Paint the town red, blue and every color in between. In THQ’s “de Blob,” you’ll play as a gelatinous blob of paint, splashing vibrant hues onto a previously drab and colorless cityscape. But watch out for the I.N.K.T., an evil regime out to strip the town of its color.
Though “de Blob” for the Nintendo Wii won’t be released until later this year, a pocket edition of the game is currently available for both the iPhone and iPod Touch.
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Honorable mentions: the next five
There were so many amazing games shown at E3 this year that we had to break from our “Top 5” tradition a bit and give you some honorable mentions. Here are five more titles that you should keep your eyes peeled for in the future:
1) “Final Fantasy XIII” (Square Enix)
The latest role-playing game from the wildly popular franchise.
2) “God of War 3” (Sony)
Kratos, a man who can destroy gods with his Blades of Chaos, returns to dish out more pain.
3) “Fallout 3” (Bethesda Softworks), pictured above
A post-apocalyptic action role-playing game.
4) “Mirror’s Edge” (Electronic Arts)
A first-person shooter/runner. Think “GoldenEye 007” meets extreme running.
5) “Portal: Still Alive” (Microsoft)
The mind-bending puzzle game gets new levels and achievements.
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