E3 2010 Preview: These are the Biggest Best of the Rest

Some games don’t fit into neat classifications, or their genres aren’t as broad as ones like shooters, action games or sports. So we’ll create our own group here and tell you who to look for at E3 2010. Everyone into the pool!

LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3) – Yeah, how could anyone forget about this? The sequel to 2008’s platformer will add different level types (and the ability to make them), including elements of racing and even role-playing games. Because everyone’s poured so much work into their original LittleBigPlanet levels, the sequel promises to be backwards compatible with them.

Epic Mickey (Wii) – Disney’s squeaky-clean standard bearer, Mickey Mouse, gets a darker, more mischeivous tint in this platformer, which incorporates some RPG elements and a morality system.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Xbox 360, PS3) – Revealed a couple months back at Capcom’s big event in Hawaii, there are still plenty of characters and plenty of details to come for this long demanded sequel of the popular fighting series.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 (Xbox 360, PS3) – Capcom’s 2.5D reboot of the beloved NES franchise was a show-stealer in 2008, and comes back with a feature so simple and yet so profound: The ability to jump. We didn’t get a chance to play it in Hawaii, but we won’t miss it in L.A..

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (Xbox 360, PS3) – Bitching about what’s happened to the Sonic franchise has become a cottage industry of the past decade or so. Rather than attempt to innovate in directions no one wants, Sega’s chosen to return this game to the 2D roots everyone remembers and loves.

Super Scribblenauts (DS) – Its predecessor was the mouse that roared at E3 2009 – a puzzle game on a handheld commanding attention far above what that genre and platform usually gets. 5th Cell’s delightful think-it, write-it, summon-it game gets a sequel and a new twist: adjectives. Is “radioactive ninja” in there?

Need for Speed: World (PC) – The street racing series goes MMO with a worldwide release in mid-July. The game will be free, up to a point, so many are curious how long the playing experience lasts on the free side.

Sonic Colors (Wii, DS) – This platformer sends Sonic and friends to rescue colorful aliens from the clutches of Dr. Eggman. Sonic acquires new powers in the game, helping him to navigate its theme-park levels in ways not seen before.

Civilization 5 (PC) – The iconic strategy game comes back to the PC after a brief dalliance with consoles. Basic features are getting an overhaul in hopes of simplifying gameplay while living up to the title’s promise of a deeply engaging experience.

Monday Night Combat (Xbox 360) – Uber Entertainment’s raucous class-based shooter still has no release window but does get its closeup in L.A. We’ll see if team deathmatch truly is translatable to a sports broadcast, or vice versa.

Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) – The PlayStation’s definitive racer will make its first full appearance on the PS3, bringing back night racing and 16-car multiplayer events, plus weather effects and the licenses of three major racing series.

What’s the Trend?

Even though this is a grab-bag category there’s still an obvious trend: Sequels and established franchises. Nothing succeeds like success – or at least, nothing gets green-lit like success, especially in this business. It’s true of games across all genres, so expect to see the most hype for some familiar friends at this year’s expo.