E3: The good stuff

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A look back at the 12 showcases that shaped gaming

Back in sunny LA

A permanent return to the LA Convention Center marked a big year for the big three. Sega launched a mammoth E3 assault and had an incredible 43 Dreamcast games on display, making its stand one of the most popular hangouts. Namco's Soul Calibur was arguably game of the show and was cleverly positioned near arcade versions ofthe fighter to show just how much better it looked on Sega's new machine.

Sega also showed off Dreamcast's online capabilities by hooking up four consoles running Sega Rally 2 using the machine's modem. And with games like Metropolis Street Racer, Shenmue, Power Stone and Resident Evil: Code Veronica all turning heads, Sega fans felt confident that - when it was released later in the year - Dreamcast would be able to hold its own against the competition.

Of course, by the time E3 rolled around, Sony had already announced its own new console - PlayStation 2. An 8ft high pyramid (that seemed to be clad in tin foil) at the front of Sony's stand was implanted with screens that showed PS2 tech demos and also offered a one-track playable glimpse of Gran Turismo. The super shiny cars impressed and the PS2 pyramid was constantly swarmed.

Matt Cundy
Matt Cundy
I don't have the energy to really hate anything properly. Most things I think are OK or inoffensively average. I do love quite a lot of stuff as well, though.