PS2 Features

Before we dunk our collective heads into the salty man-pool that is E3 2009, let’s take a moment to reflect on the events and images of E3 2004. Just five years ago Nintendo was struggling, Sony was unquestionably on top and Microsoft only had Halo 2 to keep fans attentive. Today… well, it’s a little different, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves

If you’ve never listened to TalkRadar, our weekly podcast, why? It’s full of debauched nonsense about games! Plus, there are sound effects. Okay, if you’re not wooed by that, then take a look at all the absurdly hard drinking…I mean work…that goes into it every week, and get a never-before-seen look behind the scenes of GamesRadar and its dedicated staff of internetters.

Are you excited as we are for E3? This year promises a return to form for the industry event of record, not to mention a formidable slate of games we can’t wait to get our hands on. We’ll be there bringing you the all the latest scuttlebutt, so remember to watch, read and listen to GR all next week for our as-it-happens E3 coverage.

In this week’s trailer trash, we’ve selected videos for casual games to outrage your brain. From downloadable shovelware to half-hearted licensed schlock, something here is guaranteed to make you shake your head in disgust.

The great thing about videogames is that they operate within their own realities. Think about it. Infamous tasks you with shocking adversaries to death, yet you can’t even jump over chain-link fences. At the same time, Gears of War assumes every man weighs half a ton, but can pull off the most graceful somersaults. But real life is boringly consistent. Where are the bionic arms? The plasma rifles? THE LIGHTSABERS?

So we were in a San Francisco bar not so long ago and we got talking to this rather lovely lady called Yvonna. Turns out Yvonna runs a company called Charisma +2, an agency that provides models for gaming tradeshows, events and conventions. Like next week's E3, for example. As well as being gorgeous and lovely, the 100+ models at Charisma +2 all know their stuff when it comes to video games. Because gaming and sexy are two of our favourite things, we absolutely knew that GamesRadar and Charisma +2 had to get together. And what better way to get acquainted than with a few civil questions to some of C+2's booth babes (and a couple of booth dudes for the ladies)...

Do you love breaking glass? We feel your pane. Every time we play a videogame, we have to shoot and melee every window or other potentially breakable object. The tinkle of shattering glass is like music to our ears. The sound of glass breaking is so bad-ass, even wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin uses it in his entrance song.

Next week, we’ll know. Next week, the Electronic Entertainment Expo will begin and nearly every major publisher and developer will reveal their secrets. Next week, we’ll know which rumors were true and which games actually exist. After next week, the future will be (somewhat) clear. Seriously, though, where’s the fun in that? We prefer this week, when the mystery still remains and our imaginations can still roam wild.