We also hope to get our hands on the new game - Spirit Tracks. So far we have had some video and screenshots. E3 looks to be the moment when we get our hands on the game and can properly compare how far it has come since hourglass.

Related

MotionPlus will be central to much of Nintendo's message on the Wii. This iteration promises to deliver the fabled one-to-one controls first imagined (although not entirely executed) with Wii-Sports. Although we have used the controller extension on the likes of Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger 10, E3 will be the moment we can experience what themselves can conjure up with Sports Resort - expect queues again.

Sony

Rounding the conferences off is Sony, and the general feeling is that with the coming of age it is in their hands to steal the show. In fact, they have either been more loose lipped or they have a lot more to say - because compared to the other two there are many more rumours and announcements related to Sony.

The big for is that they have an ace up their sleeve - new hardware. Opinion is divided as to whether this will be a new UMD-less PSP, a slimline PS3 or just new colours of existing models.

With a strong line up of (much needed) games on the calendar, and the ability to buy games digitally, it would be the ideal time to launch a new iteration. Having tweaked their original PSP design a few times, we're hoping that they make a break from what has gone before with a device that adds proper analogue sticks and drops the battery hungry proprietary UMD discs.

The other rumour, circulating since pictures were published in games magazines at the start of the year, is for a new cheaper, slimmer PS3 form factor. This device would not only enable them to reduce the price to get closer to the budget 360 model but also offer an opportunity to add support for new technology such as Bluetooth 3.0. Hopefully Sony's big Blu Hope will get a little more love than just new colours next week. We'll keep you posted.

More concrete expectations are for a slew of PSP games. is probably the best known PS3 title, bringing it to the PSP is not only great in its own right but offers up the opportunity for sophisticated game, level and content sharing between the handheld and the PS3.

Another big name PS3 title soon to appear on the PSP is MotorStorm. We hope to get our hands on the PSP version - MotorStorm: Arctic Edge - at E3. Whilst this may struggle to match the home console for graphical fidelity, it's that famed MotorStorm gameplay we want to see - something that only a hands-on can confirm or deny.

Another expected announcement is from Sony Bend (the team made famous for Syphon Filter and on PSP). We know they have a major title to announce, although as yet have not caught wind of theme or title. Although this may be another Syphon Filter or Resistance adventure, we're hoping for another new title to bolster the PSP's rather light game catalogue.

Over on the PS3 we are looking forward to having details fleshed out on 2: Among Thieves. The first game was a somwhat overlooked release when the console first launched. Spending more time with Nathan Drake is more than enough to pique our interest. We expect to learn more about the main story and game features, having sampled the beta this month.

Other titles that should excite, although less likely to be playable, are III, the ever approaching Gran Tourismo 5 and the technically impressive (Massive Action Game). Of these, we are particularly interested in learning more about MAG - the game that offers full theatre of war gameplay for up to 256 players. Taking the genre and injecting the essence of Massively Multiplayer games just makes so much sense to us.

Apple iPhone

The new kid on the block will likely make its presence felt this year. Although no press conference is planned, sticking to their inimical in-house style, there will be plenty of third-parties bringing new experience to bear on the gaming media.

This could well be the surprise story of the show with companies as diverse as Konami, Namco-Bandai, and gearing up to bring well-known games to Apple's device. Add to this the only outfits such as NGmoco with their much anticipated follow up to Rolando and E3 could see the iPhone making surprisingly large waves.

We'll be in LA to bring you all the news, from from every major player.

By Paul Govan